WE BELIEVE that A POVERTY-FREE PROVINCE IS POSSIBLE.

We work together

Our coalition is informed by people working across sectors, from housing, food justice, labour, climate, health, and employment services. 

We aim to improve the health and well-being of all living in British Columbia. The Coalition advocates for a targeted and comprehensive poverty reduction strategy that prioritizes equity-seeking groups, and a whole government, cross-ministry approach to ending poverty.

we rise together

Our CAN Program supports local leaders to hone their advocacy skills and connects them with opportunities to be part of political change. CAN provides leadership development for people in poverty through a facilitated and structured training series, and has run six cohorts since the program’s inception. 

CAN cohorts have, and always will be, free for participants. We actively work to remove barriers to accessing the tools of liberation. 

We dream together

The Blueprint for Justice is our collective vision for a province without poverty. This policy roadmap guides our advocacy.

The Blueprint is based on four principles that shape our policy recommendations to Government: Economic Security, Universal Basic Services, Equity, and Climate Justice.

Our campaigns

Poverty is a policy choice - but it doesn’t have to be. Our work on transit, housing, and raising assistance rates will bring us closer to a province without poverty.

  • More than a roof over one’s head, housing represents the right to security, peace, and dignity for all British Columbians. Learn more →

  • Public transit connects people to all aspects of their lives, from community to essential services to employment. Learn more →

  • Poverty is not inevitable. The gap between social and disability assistance rates and the poverty line is wide - made wider by inflation and cost of living increases. Learn more →

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In the news

〰️ In the news

In the News
A provincial Call to Action on International Tenants' Rights Day
A provincial Call to Action on International Tenants' Rights Day

Whether you’ve been renting for one, five, or 25 years, the profit-driven rental housing market, outdated residential tenancy policies, and loopholes in current housing legislation place tenants at the mercy of landlords.

Read More →
For Reconciliation to Work, Housing Is the Way Forward
For Reconciliation to Work, Housing Is the Way Forward

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is more than just a day of reflection — it is a day to heed urgent calls to action to support Indigenous Peoples’ well-being.

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The Case for Free Transit for B.C. Teens
The Case for Free Transit for B.C. Teens

The fare box cannot be relied on to pay for a complex transit system that will move people where they need to go when they need to go there.

Read More →
How BC’s New Poverty Reduction Strategy Falls Short
How BC’s New Poverty Reduction Strategy Falls Short

Good intentions aren’t enough to change life for poor British Columbians. We need a road map.

Read More →

Find us on instagram!→

View fullsize 🥕 where do you get your food? 🚎 how do you get around? 🤷 what does feeding yourself well look like? We're making a zine to explore these questions (and more!) with community members. With your support, we'll host workshops throughout the winter
View fullsize Feeling the need to get hands-on with your advocacy? Same. In the spirit of nourishment and connection, join us for an afternoon of crafty collaboration. We'll be chatting about the intersections of food access, transportation, and our ties to the p
View fullsize The next BC government can choose to eliminate poverty. @davidebybc It's time to: 📈 raise social assistance rates 🚌 invest in dignified, accessible public transit 🏠 treat housing as a human right
View fullsize While we wait for the BC election results, we know two things for certain: our work is far from over, and we are in good company on our path forward. Our board, coalition members, community partners, and staff team *showed up* to have tough convers
View fullsize It's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Today, and every other day of the year, we are working towards a bold vision for ending poverty in BC. We're calling in BC parties to turn these plans into policy. What we want to see: 🏡Legis
View fullsize The majority of voters in BC don't own homes. We need policies in place in our province that ensure housing is stable, accessible, appropriate, and available for everyone. Voting is one (big) way to participate in democracy -- but renters are often u
View fullsize No matter who sits in government after the 2024 BC election, we will continue our advocacy for a province without poverty. We're sending postcards to the next premier shortly after the election to let them know that poverty is a policy choice - and
View fullsize People with lived and living experience of homelessness have a right to safe and secure housing, to agency, and to participate in decision-making processes about housing at all levels of government. By ensuring that people with the most immediate n
View fullsize Raising the amount of money distributed each month to people on social and disability assistance could effectively end deep poverty in our province. Poverty is not inevitable. People with disabilities in BC deserve real support. Join us in calling
View fullsize In two weeks' time, we'll wake up to a newly formed BC government. This group of elected leaders could make the next four years a historic time for BC. They have the means and the tools to take bold policy action towards ending poverty in BC. It's
View fullsize Democracy must be accessible, dignified, and inclusive. Learn more about accessible voting in the upcoming BC election with this collaboratively produced guide. Our aim is for everyone to have what they need in order to participate in #BCElection o
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