Poverty, inequality & welfare

The disconnect between economic growth and teachers’ wages

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A number of recent articles on the BC teachers’ strike have suggested that teachers could get the wage increases they want to see, as well as the needed investments in reducing class size and improving class composition, if only they supported resource development. Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation summed up the line of… View Article

New AG report on access to welfare disability benefits

May 16, 2014
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Yesterday (May 15), BC’s Auditor General released an important new report on access to welfare disability benefits. The report didn’t get much media attention, but it should have. The report, news release and short video summary can be found here. Among the AG’s findings: The government has limited information on how effectively welfare’s PWD (Person… View Article

Poverty Reduction Act tabled by Opposition in the BC Leg

May 6, 2014
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The following news release was issued today by the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition: Opposition proposes BC Poverty Reduction and Economic Inclusion Act: Now is the time for bi-partisan collaboration in addressing the root causes of poverty (British Columbia) Today in the BC Legislature, the Official Opposition (MLA Michelle Mungall) introduced a private member’s Bill proposing… View Article

7 things that should be in this year’s BC Budget

Feb 17, 2014
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In the fifth year of a slow and largely jobless economic recovery, the 2014 BC Budget should prioritize measures to set the foundation of a more just and sustainable economy, where prosperity is shared by all citizens. Here are 7 initiatives that will get us there. 1. A comprehensive poverty reduction plan Combating poverty is… View Article

Anti-poverty movement, meet the culture of medicine.

Jan 23, 2014
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The evidence for the burden of income inequality on health is plentiful and convincing, with inequity and its health impact both increasing in British Columbia in recent years. Many voices are calling for attention to poverty reduction and a living wage. But what happens when you add doctors into this conversation? Progress and challenges both. Some physicians are at the… View Article

My Welfare Food Challenge: Day 7 – The End

Oct 22, 2013
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Well, I’ve made it to the end of my week eating only what I could buy for $26. But eating the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner for seven days is no damn fun. I can’t wait to eat something different and fresh. Did a final weigh-in this morning. I lost 4-5 lbs. this… View Article