Whereas poverty rates in BC are climbing with the rates of child poverty and seniors in poverty increasing as well as an increasing number of residents who rely on food banks; And whereas poverty reduction grants for local governments have ceased: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to include a Basic Income Pilot program in the update of a poverty reduction strategy.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction SDPR recognizes that poverty rates, including those among children and seniors, and reliance on food banks are ongoing challenges for communities across BC. In 2018, BC convened a Basic Income Expert Panel to assess the feasibility of a basic income and explore how its principles could improve existing supports. The Panels final report, Covering All the Basics: Reforms for a More Just Society 2021, recommended against implementing or piloting a basic income, citing complexity, cost, and risks to current benefits. Instead, it proposed 65 reforms to strengthen social supports. Since then, over half of these recommendations have been fully or partially implemented or are underway, including targeted supports for youth aging out of care and increases to income and disability assistance rates. Assessing the Expert Panels recommendations and aligning government actions with its principles played a significant role in BCs 2024 update to its Poverty Reduction Strategy, which outlines a cross-government approach to break the cycle of poverty over the next 10 years, based on input from over 10,000 British Columbians. The next poverty reduction strategy update is legislatively required to take place in 2029. SDPR will continue engaging experts and partners and consider innovative projects to enhance income security as part of that process.