‘Other half’
Editor, The News:
Re: Put that down, that’s my job (Along the Fraser, Jan. 20).
I’d like to correct Jack Emberly. It’s true that growing the economy and creating well-paying jobs is one part of government’s approach to reducing poverty.
But Mr. Emberly ignored the other half of our approach: a broad suite of supports for low-income British Columbians.
We have committed $855 million to create up to 5,000 new affordable housing units for families and 2,000 rental units throughout B.C.
Our Rental Assistance Program helps about 10,800 families per year.
Approximately 20,000 low-income children benefit from child care subsidies each month.
We raised the minimum wage in 2016 and will again in September.
About 40 per cent of B.C. families will pay reduced or no MSP premiums. Our Single Parent Employment Initiative is helping people on income and disability assistance to get the training they need to re-enter the workforce – while covering the costs of transportation and child care during their training and for one year after they start working.
Our approach is working.
Stephanie Cadieux,
Minister of Children and Family
Development
