Poverty, inequality & welfare

Adult education in BC: A Canadian outlier

Feb 6, 2017

Thankfully for their residents, not every province handles adult education like BC where the government has eroded access to high-school level courses for adults while other provinces are making basic education more accessible. In mid January, the Province of Ontario announced policy changes to make adult education more affordable and to ensure that low and… View Article

Most and least expensive cities for child care: 4 key takeaways for BC

Dec 15, 2016

By Iglika Ivanova

A new CCPA report reveals staggering disparities in parents’ experiences with child care across the country. Prices are highest in Toronto and lowest in cities in Quebec where child care is heavily subsidized by the provincial government. Cities in Manitoba and PEI, the other two provinces in Canada that set child care fees and fund… View Article

BC’s higher-than-expected surplus is a wasted opportunity

Dec 8, 2016

By Iglika Ivanova

BC is on track to have a massive budget surplus this year according to the November update on provincial finances. At the end of the second quarter of the fiscal year, we’re looking at a surplus of $2.24 billion. This is $300 million more than what the September budget update projected and a staggering $2… View Article

Low-income seniors also victim to affordable housing crisis

Nov 22, 2016

By Sarah Sheridan

It may be hard to believe, but Statistics Canada data shows that 52 per cent of senior renters (65+) in Metro Vancouver spend 30 per cent or more of their monthly income on rent, and 21 per cent spend half or more. So how are low-income seniors expected to survive? The ratio of rent to… View Article

The case for a progressive property tax

Nov 2, 2016

By Marc Lee

In 1993, then-Finance Minister Glen Clark tabled a controversial BC Budget, featuring a wide range of tax changes. A one-point increase in the provincial sales tax was the largest measure, tempered by the introduction of a refundable sales tax credit. Most of the budget measures increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Up went the… View Article

Shining an international light on women’s human rights in BC

Oct 24, 2016

By Kendra Milne

The international spotlight is about to shine on Canada’s track record on women’s human rights and BC may get caught in the glare. Provincial and federal compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is set to be reviewed on October 25th by the expert UN Committee tasked with… View Article

Working poverty on the rise in Metro Vancouver

Oct 18, 2016

By Nicola Hill

Thanks to the Labour movement, we’ve made significant gains in working conditions over the years. On average, unionized employees make higher wages than non-unionized employees, and are more likely to receive health benefits and to have pension plans. But for those people working at or minimally above the minimum wage, whether they are unionized employees… View Article

Poverty Reduction: When will the government start listening to British Columbians?

Oct 17, 2016

By Trish Garner

If the government were listening to British Columbians, it would have heard that families are struggling to make ends meet because of rising food and housing costs, childcare fees, MSP premiums, and hydro rates. It would have heard that over 1,000 people in the highest-ever homeless count in Vancouver this year are new to homelessness…. View Article

Independence or a bit more income: British Columbians with disabilities are forced to choose

Sep 27, 2016

By Andrew Leyland

On September 1st, British Columbians on disability assistance saw their monthly rates go up for the first time in nine years. Unfortunately, the BC government bundled a significant clawback in transportation benefits with the rate increase, making it a lot less generous as a result. While the provincial government increased financial support for people with… View Article

An increase so small it keeps minimum wage workers in poverty

Sep 20, 2016

By Iglika Ivanova

Today, BC’s lowest paid workers get a 40-cent raise. The latest increase of the provincial minimum wage—now $10.85 per hour for most workers isn’t much to celebrate. It works out to an extra $16 per week for someone working full-time – and that doesn’t stretch far in a province with such high cost of living…. View Article

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A progressive take on BC issues

A progressive take on BC issues

Poverty, inequality & welfare

Adult education in BC: A Canadian outlier

Most and least expensive cities for child care: 4 key takeaways for BC

BC’s higher-than-expected surplus is a wasted opportunity

Low-income seniors also victim to affordable housing crisis

The case for a progressive property tax

Shining an international light on women’s human rights in BC

Working poverty on the rise in Metro Vancouver

Poverty Reduction: When will the government start listening to British Columbians?

Independence or a bit more income: British Columbians with disabilities are forced to choose

An increase so small it keeps minimum wage workers in poverty