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By David Wiwchar

2nd highest child poverty rate in BC

Port Alberni posts record poverty rate

Dec 5, 2024 | 7:54 AM

A new report released yesterday shows Port Alberni has the second-highest child poverty rate in the province.

Close to a quarter of all kids live below the poverty line, second only to Prince Rupert where 26.2% of children are considered impoverished.

The grim statistics compiled by FirstCall Child and Youth Advocacy Society paint a picture of a growing gap between rich and poor in the Province, according to the society’s executive director Adrienne Montani

“We know that the majority of poor children live with parents who work,” she said. “The problem there is that either their wages are too low or they’re not getting enough work so that’s where a lot of families are struggling.”

The 2024 BC Child Poverty Report Card released yesterday by First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society, reveals a continuing sharp and troubling rise in child poverty across British Columbia, with 1 in 6 children living below the poverty line – a 16.8% increase from 2021.

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In Port Alberni, 23.5% of local children are living below the poverty line, second only to Prince Rupert, and slightly ahead of Quesnel at 22.8%

Montani said BC’s child poverty rate has not only rebounded, but worsened.

“We can see what happened when the poverty dropped in BC and across Canada during the pandemic when there were income support coming in,” she said. “As soon as those were withdrawn over 2021-2022 now the poverty rate is shooting back up.”

The report includes 25 recommendations – including targeted relief measures, affordable housing and inclusive education.

The study is the 28th annual report card marking the 35th anniversary of the Federal All-Party Resolution to end poverty by the year 2000.

Read the full report here: https://firstcallbc.org/2024-bc-child-poverty-report-card/