VANCOUVER - Despite British Columbia ranking worst of any province for child poverty - for the sixth consecutive year - the number of poor children dropped significantly, according to Statistics Canada.
The problem, said one front line worker, is the difference never materialized on the street.
"I've never seen poverty drop," said Penny Irons, executive director of Vancouver Aboriginal Mother Centre Society. "I've only seen it increase."
An analysis of 2007 household income data released yesterday found the number of impoverished children dropped to 108,000 from 137,000 in 2006 - the lowest poverty rate since 1991.
Irons is concerned the study based on two-year-old numbers could offer a false sense of security while shocks from the economic downturn are being felt today.
"It certainly doesn't take a genius to figure out that the number of children living in poverty is increasing daily as their parents are laid off," she said.
The chairperson of First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, which published the study, agrees.
Julie Norton continues to press government to make child poverty a priority by setting hard targets for reduction.
Her concern is the provincial government won't champion causes for children because the tykes can't vote or pay taxes.
"It's a sad statement but the people with money have a lot more influence so they get what they want and we're not being responsible for all the citizens," Norton said.
Dharm Makwana reports for Vancouver 24 hours.
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DPL
2 years ago
Gordo couldn't care less
Gordo couldn't care less about kids in poverty and it shows over the last number of years. The guy gets elected as the statistics about poverty bcome public, so why would he support a system that would help out those children and their families. We have a strange fellow with the power to do good things in BC but he choses not to do them, nor do his disciples seem to mind. Hell the pay's not bad and all you have to do is thump the desk as required. Trained seals!!!
Wilfred Laurier
2 years ago
Ahhhhh
"- the lowest poverty rate since 1991."
Hmmmmmm. Who was premier in 1991? Must have been Gordon Campbell.
realisticman
2 years ago
The Right Track
As the numbers are based on after-tax household income and are improving substantially the present policy of tax reductions must continue to further increase the success this has clearly shown.
Wilfred Laurier
2 years ago
Interesting
How this article could not damn Gordon Campbell. It is his government that caused this large improvement in child "poverty" rates, all things being relative.
G West
2 years ago
Yeah WilFRED, Yeah R/Man
Run up those flags and bring out the fireworks - two year old statistics show that:
British Columbia (ranks) worst of any province for child poverty - for the sixth consecutive year ...
Definitely another feather in the Gordo's cap.
You guys celebrate all you like - but save a piece of the cake for the poor kids that Campbell (and you apparently) don't give a shit about! Sounds an awful lot like Marie Antoinette to me.
Some party! Best place on earth my ass!
realisticman
2 years ago
Yeah West
As the article says, " - the number of poor children dropped significantly "
As you say, "Definitely another feather in the Gordo's cap."
Credit where due.
G West
2 years ago
Yeah
Keep shuffling the seats on the Titanic R/Man.
The supposedly 'best place on earth'
is ...worst of any province for child poverty - for the sixth consecutive year...
Lots to be proud of there all right. If you can handle the disconnect then fill your pants - it makes me ashamed my fellow citizens are so stupidly blind and lacking in human feeling for their fellow citizens.
But, by all means, keep smiling - just don't think anyone but you and WilFRED are impressed with this abomination.
Enjoy the Fifth Circle of Hell will my compliments.