Poverty Reduction: Even Alberta?

Currently, six provinces have official poverty reduction strategies either in place or (in the case of Manitoba) in development. BC, despite having the highest poverty rates, remains stubbornly in the minority of provinces without a plan (along with Alberta, Saskatchewan and PEI).

But now comes news earlier this month that an all-party committee of the Alberta legislature recommends that that province adopt a poverty reduction plan, including increases to the minimum wage (which at $8.80 in Alberta is already higher than BC’s, where it has been frozen at $8 since 2001). According to a report in the Edmonton Journal, the Alberta Standing Committee on the Economy called on the provincial government to “implement a province-wide poverty reduction strategy similar to the 10-year plan to end homelessness.”

How long can BC hold out?

Topics: Housing & homelessness, Poverty, inequality & welfare