Big municipalities endorse poverty reduction plan

'A broad consensus is emerging.' - BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

Vancouver (2 July 2010) - The cities of Vancouver and Victoria are the most recent municipalities to join a campaign calling on the B.C.'s Liberal government to implement a comprehensive and accountable poverty reduction plan for the province.

The campaign is an initiative of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).

"We're thrilled that local governments are throwing their support behind this important campaign," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker. "It's clear that they understand the urgency of this issue."

The BCGEU is a member of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, a diverse group that is recommending legislated targets and timelines for reducing poverty rates, increasing income levels and ending homelessness.

The city of Vancouver endorsed the coalition's call last week and Victoria added its voice the previous week. Several other municipalities have also joined the campaign, including Nelson, Grand Forks and Parksville. A number of city councils have also forwarded poverty reduction plan resolutions to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) for consideration at its fall convention.

The need to reduce poverty was recently affirmed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). In addition, national anti-poverty legislation was recently introduced by NDP MP Tony Martin (Sault St. Marie).

BCGEU is continuing to encourage its members to add their individual voices to the call for a B.C. poverty reduction plan. Visit the coalition website to join the campaign.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE

More information:
• BC Poverty Reduction Coalition
• BCGEU joins call for B.C. poverty reduction plan