Press Release: BC POVERTY REDUCTION COALITION RELEASES COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR JUSTICE
March 20th, 2020
(Vancouver) As COVID-19 sweeps the globe and communities throughout BC, the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition calls on the provincial government to implement a suite of emergency measures to safeguard the health and incomes of more than 557,000 at-risk, low-income and homeless BC residents.
“Low-income seniors, those who are already living far below the poverty line, those who are food insecure, those living in poverty with complex health issues and disabilities, those experiencing substance-use and homelessness are drastically at risk in the current COVID-19 crisis,” says Viveca Ellis, Interim Community Organizer with the Coalition, “we must act, and we must act now, there is no time to lose as the lives and well-being of our most at-risk community members hang in the balance.”
The Coalition urges the provincial government to implement seven emergency measures immediately to ensure safety, health and justice for British Columbians who are already economically at risk and expresses support for 36 recommendations made by Coalition members and allies.
“I already have no money in my account ($9.00 only) and don't have any idea how I can handle life anymore. One income is already cut out from my household, and I have no idea how we would survive. I couldn't afford to buy extra food or even enough food until the end of this week, [we are] just living on the things that we already have in our fridge now, which is not considerable,” says mother and Richmond resident K.D. (initials used to protect privacy).
Measures include raising the income and disability assistance rates immediately and ending all claw backs of earned and unearned income to ensure every dollar stays in the pockets of those on government supports. The Coalition also calls for a province-wide moratorium on eviction, additional provincial support for those who do not qualify for Employment Insurance, and for the provincial government to work with municipalities to seize currently empty shelter assets such as hostels and hotels to immediately provide safety, shelter and sanitation for the 7655 homeless people across the province.
BC residents in poverty do not have the luxury of being able to stockpile and hoard food. The Coalition is calling for the province to fund and oversee the speedy creation of a province-wide emergency food distribution system with home food delivery to ensure those who are isolated due to COVID-19 do not starve in their homes.
