Next week Prince George City Council will debate sending a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities calling for a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy in BC.
Councillor Murry Krause says BC is the only province without an anti poverty plan.
“We have citizens in our community that are living in poverty. So we know the impact that has on our community and on our citizens. So more and more we are seeing local governments being engaged in these types of conversations because it so directly affects us.”
Krause says many municipalities are doing all they can to tackle the problem and need help and policy changes from upper levels of government.
“In all fairness to the province, some things are being done in affordable housing… but it has to be a multi pronged approach and that’s why I think we are looking for a comprehensive anti poverty strategy.”
The proposed UBCM resolution asks the provincial government to set “concrete targets and timelines to reduce poverty.” A report to council says the lack of these targets and timelines so far have prevented a “sustainable path of of poverty” for many people.
The motion will be debated at Tuesday’s regular Council meeting.
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