Letter to the editor

Re: Child Poverty in B.C. is Shameful Regardless of Political Views

Mr. Adrian Dix has proposed a new grant to families with incomes under $25,000 a year of $829 per child to alleviate child poverty. Ms. Christy Clark has offered nothing, even though she tells us she puts families first.

B.C. is a rich society. Child poverty and hunger is shameful and heartbreaking. Mr. Dix’s planned increase, while welcome, would only put into a parent’s pocket some $70 per month per child. Imagine: an extra $2.33 per day to feed your hungry child. It is not enough. Does that even buy one package of Kraft Dinner?

We, as Canadians, consider the American system to be heartless and uncaring. We comfort ourselves by saying we have health care and a social safety net. Yet the U.S. has extensive school breakfast and lunch programs so otherwise hungry children can at least eat and have the energy to pay attention in school. We do not do even that.

We do not need to spend $563 million of a new roof for B.C. Place (which leaks) or $300 on a new Vancouver Art Gallery. Feeding the hungry children of B.C. must come first.

Mr. Dix, should he be called on by Ms. Guichon after May 14 to form the next government, must follow the U.S. example and at least feed our hungry children in schools; $2.33 a day does not pass muster.

Gary Mac Donald, B.A., B.A.Sc. (Min. Eng.), LL.B.,

Cranbrook

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