We, the undersigned, re-affirm the call for the Government of British Columbia to launch a comprehensive and accountable poverty reduction plan, aimed at dramatically reducing homelessness and poverty in our province.

As British Columbians determine what our post-Olympics legacy will be, a clear and accountable plan to end poverty and homelessness in our province would represent an ideal goal, capturing the hopes and aspirations of all.

We urge the provincial government to provide leadership, and to adopt and legislate poverty reduction targets and timelines. As a first step, we call upon the government to appoint a lead minister for poverty reduction (a champion for this initiative), have them oversee a cross-ministry poverty action secretariat, and have them report annually on their progress.

We recommend the following targets and timelines:
• Reduce BC’s poverty rate by 30% within four years, and by 75% within 10 years.
• Ensure the poverty rate for children, lone-mother households, single senior women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities and mental illness, and recent immigrants and refugees likewise declines by 30% in four years, and by 75% in ten years, in recognition that poverty is concentrated in these populations.
• Within two years, ensure that every British Columbian has an income that reaches at least 75% of the poverty line.
• Within two years, ensure no one has to sleep outside, and end all homelessness within eight years (ensuring all homeless people have good quality, appropriate housing).

In order to achieve these targets, we call upon the province to commit to specific policy measures and concrete actions in each of the following policy areas:

1. Provide adequate and accessible income support for the non-employed, and remove policy barriers so that recipients can build and maintain assets.
2. Improve the earnings and working conditions of those in the low-wage workforce.
3. Improve food security for low-income individuals and families.
4. Address homelessness and adopt a comprehensive affordable housing and supportive housing plan.
5. Provide universal publicly-funded child care.
6. Enhanced support for training and education for low-income people.
7. Enhance community mental health and home support services, and expand integrated approaches to prevention and health promotion services.

There is nothing inevitable about poverty and homelessness in a society as wealthy as ours. Other jurisdictions that are setting clear targets are getting results. A comprehensive approach needs to boost the incomes of those living in poverty, but also build the social infrastructure, public services and assets that are vital to providing a path out of poverty and improving quality of life. If we commit to a bold plan, a dramatic reduction in poverty and homelessness within a few short years is a perfectly achievable goal.

Note: Your email address will not be published or shared. It will only be used to confirm your signature. Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not receive the confirmation email.

Nikki Scott, Vancouver

Ross Tyner, Armstrong

xxxxxxxx, Abbotsford, BC

Philip C Etches,

xxxxxxxx, Nanaimo
The direct tie to our atrocious child poverty rate. Our system is so backwards in highly funded projects in other areas, but our most, most valuable resource (and the future of our society) is suffering!!!

Bob and Deb Sherwood, Osoyoos, BC
The true test of a society is in how it treats its most disadvantaged citizens. By that standard, BC fails dramatically.

Gillian Sanderson, Victoria, B.C.
Poverty and homelessness is a CRIME in such a bountiful and prosperous (for some) province. It calls for a complete change in the political system to ensure that human beings are ALL entitled to adequate income and shelter for their needs. This whole class system and apartheid of the rich, poor and Indigenous people is WRONG , Wrong, WRONG!

xxxxxxxx, Kitimat

Jean Sansum, New Westminster

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver
It is a big problem for BC'sfuture.

alexander daughtry, vancouver

Renée Ahmadi, Victoria B.C.
Poverty and homelessness in B.C. means a sick society. Change never comes easily. We must demand better.

Peggy Wilmot, Victoria BC

Megan Yarema, Vancouver

Jonathan Chapnick, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Surrey
A true test of our morality is how we choose to treat others less fortunate than ourselves.Time to step up and make a difference! BC has done too little for way too long!

Adrienne Montani, Vancouver
Greed has trumped sharing our wealth, and we need to reassert our values to reflect a commitment to human rights and dignity for all.

Pam shaw, Delta

Christine McCallum, Victoria
The poverty and homelessness is a symptom that something is drastically wrong in our.

How can we afford the Olympics when BC has the highest rate of child poverty?

Instead of taking steps forward towards a sustainable future where everyone is happy and healthy and has a home, the gap between the super rich and the super poor continues to grow!

And now BC is considering giving voting rights to corporations?

All of this shows me the current gov't is only concerned with maximizing profit and power at the expense of it's people. It's time for a change.

Sidney W. Rowels, New Westminster
There is simply no excuse for the low minimum wage and the lack of initiative by provincial politicians in reducing homelessness and poverty.

xxxxxxxx, Delta
Homelessness is something I have often been just a day away from in BC on a few occasions. It is nerve-wracking to live on a fixed low income.

Vanessa T Somerset, Victoria, BC
With the Campbel's governmental cuts, Crime rates sour, and people on the street die. This is a direct result of cuts to programs for young children and their families. Not that every child that "goes without" ends up on the streets and addicted to heroin or other drugs, but there is a definative connection between "cuts" and increase in criminal activity and health care costs. Long term, it does little to help alleviate the barriers placed when support programs are deemed unnecessary.

Rick James, Courtenay

Ann Kujundzic, Vancouver B.C.
I see it on the streets every day, and it shames me that we are not doing what is so badly needed.

Seth Klein, Vancouver

Luke Sandilands, Vancouver

Margret Bonney, Comox
Poverty in my community means long lines at the foodbank; rampant homelessness; lack of affordable, adequate housing; and many children and single mothers going hungry. this is simply not acceptable!

Noelle Virtue, Vancouver, BC

paul lavallee, vancouver

Adventure Community Development Services, Duncan, B.C.
Poverty and homelessness are primary indicators of the consequences of service reductions which have led to a very complex economic and social environment for the most vulnerable segments of society.

Lynn Curtis, Duncan, B.C.

Joanne Cox, Vancouver

Margaret Dunlop, Prince George
Poverty and homelessness mean that children in the province are suffering and our future in this province will suffer as a result.

J Micallef, Vancouver
I see poverty everywhere. A lot of people I know and don't know, don't quite understand why the government cannot or will not do more. Our Income Assistance rates for those who are not expected to work are too low. For Example: In a calendar year there are sometimes certain months that have a 5 week period from payday to payday, yet my benefits do not allow for this, why? That's an extra 5 days of meals, laundry and life!.

Denise Holmen, Victoria

Jody Ross, Coquitlam

Helen Hickman, North Vancouver

Ginger Richards, Vancouver

Ann Grant, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver

rosa goldstein, Sidney

Jane Wolverton, Galiano Island

Ellen Gabelmann, Victoria

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver
Homelessness, violence, vulnerability to drug addiction, mental illness, foster homes for kids, a huuuuuge gap between the rich and the poor, and on a more subtle level, not enough time to see friends and family because you're working all the time

Gail Berger, Vancouver
Poverty and homelessness in B.C. means that we are wasting the human resources in this province. Justice demands economic equality for all--and we all will benefit from giving all the opp0ortunity to live full, healthy and productive lives.

Gail Berger

Sophie Aubugeau, Vancouver

Maria Fredriksson, Vancouver

Jaynie Starr, Parksville

Sally Williams, Castlegar
We need to value every person. I am ashamed that we still have these problems despite the wealth of our country.

Chelsea Lasko, Vancouver
About to b3e homeless because of a negligent fascist landlord and it's near impossible to find a decent place for a price i can afford.

g lanouette, Surrey, BC
Holding the government to account with specifics is incredibly important. Who runs our democracy? Us or the corporations?

Please don't forget the single father's out there, "lone-mother household" could be better said as "single-parent households".

xxxxxxxx, Burnaby

Sue Moen, Black Creek
in a country that brags about how much less we were affected by the global recession, there is no excuse for any of our citizens to be living in poverty and/or without a permanent, safe home. Tackling the deficit can wait - house and feed everyone first. NOT taking action will only cost all of us more through increased costs in health, petty crime, addictions borne in hopelessness, decreased education and skills and therefore loss of productivity. I want our politicians to forget they are only in power 4 years and act for the long term good of our country and the citizens instead.

Guy Pocklington, Powell River

Robert Ages, Delta

David Taub Bancroft, Vancouver
Poverty and homelessness in a society as wealthy as ours represent an incomprehensible muddling of priorities.

Keith Jamieson, Victoria

Peter Dimitrov, Vancouver, BC
The experience of persistent and substanial poverty and homelessness in British Columbia is shameful, a disgrace. Poverty and homelessness not only undermines a person's quality of life and their ability to use their unique gifts but substantially reduces life span and limits inclusion in many facets of society. It is an assault on the fundamental dignity of what it means to be a human being and thus constitutes in international human rights law a violation of basic human rights. In so far that many are children the Convention on the Rights of the Child is also violated. Fault lies with the inequities of our political-economic system, the authoritarian low level democracy in British Columbia, and the propensity of too many British Columbians and political leaders to not resolutely commit themselves to being part of a progressive movement to end the growing impoverishment of many.

Mike Stewart, omox
Symptom of our collective failure to care about one another. Inexcusable and utterly unneccesary - we have the ability to solve these problems, but not the collective, and especially the political, will.

Steve Kerstetter, Vancouver

Ann Gillespie,

Herbert Paul Schmidt, Delta

Terry Green, Summerland
We need a government that has compassion and understanding for all, and which sees as a priority the meeting of fundamental needs of people to live in dignity within our affluent provnice an nation. There is no need for anyone in British Columbia to have to live in poverty and to have one in five children doing so is a disgrace to this province and this government.

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver
Poverty and homelessness means exclusion instead of inclusion, rejection instead of welcome, marginalization instead of the centre.

jerry Fast, vancouver
This government brags that BC now has the lowest personal tax rates in Canada and the lowest corporate taxes in the G7! When a government decimates its revenue sources through tax cuts (and increases user fees for a whole range of services), while passing legislation to balance budgets, the only "solution" is to cut public services. This government thinks government supported programs are an unwarranted expense, not an investment in the creation of a sustainable civil society. If personal and corporate taxes were at the same level today as they were in 2001 when this government was elected, the government would have between .5 and .5 billion (yes billion) more in revenue, and there would be no "deficit". The government has created the deficit through its tax policies.

Marilynn King, Delta

Steve Chitty, Surrey

Victoria Chu, Vancouver

Heather Kennedy-MacNeill, Courtenay
Every work day I encounter people with mental health problems largely caused or aggravated by poverty. Surely we live in a compassionate province that can prioritize the ending of poverty.

Vicky Chiew, Vancouver

Andy Harrington, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Victoria, BC
Poverty impacts literacy and in turn self care, child care and in turn housing issues and in turn nutritional status and in turn, health status. We all pay for poverty, one way or the other!

todd skarsen, nanaimo

Margie Noonan, Victoria

Joyce Triemstra, Surrey
My heart goes out to folks who are having a hard time getting by in this province. I am especially concerned about affordable housing and would love to see more not for profit housing. We benefited from co-op subsidized housing as a young family in the 1980s and hope others will also get this kind of leg-up when they most need it.

Jean Lawrence, Vancouver

Doreen Gee, Victoria BC
I am on disability benefits and they are are way to low to survive on. The Liberals need to index disability benefits to inflation and give us yearly cost of living increases.

Doreen Marion Gee

Sharon Evans, Penticton
Daily struggles for my daughter to raise her family.
Daily struggles for persons in recovery from a mental illness to function as citizens.

Ann Godderis, Castlegar
MAny women stay in violent and abusive relationships because they know that if they leave they and their children will be living in unbearable & unacceptable poverty. This is systemic abuse and should be against the law.

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Langley, BC

Diane Mayrhofer, KAMLOOPS
I find it appalling that we still subscribe to a subsistence model of income assistance. Ostensibly subsistence, that is, as even the most basic of needs cannot be met at these payment levels. Yet BC is somehow able to commit to projects in which significant financial gain remains with the elite few. How can we allow our government to justify the ostentation of the 2010 Olympics under the guise of economic benefit, when it clearly does nothing for those who need it most?

James Chamberlain, Vancouver

Amy Dash, Burns Lake

K. Kilbride, Surrey
I am deeply embarassed by our governments cold hearted treatment of poor people in BC. The rates for social services need to be raised. The minimum wage also needs to be raised. We can spend 25 million on one Olympic party. Surely poor children's dental care is worth something to our government.

Jane Welton, Victoria
I am deeply disgusted and ashamed that poverty and homelessness are rampant in B.C. where wealth and luxury spending are also rampant.
It has been shown over and over again that the rate of child poverty is directly correlated with the rate of child abuse and child neglect. By ending child poverty we can end so many other financial and social costs, both short term and long term.

Alison Bledsoe, Burnab y, BC

Doris thomson, Richmond

Kara Hunt, Golden

Barry McLeod, Mission
As a youth worker (since 1981) I have worked with hundreds of youth and families that have been affected by poverty. It's time to do whatever we can to stop the cycle of poverty and to give the possibility of a stronger, healthier, more fully employed future to the current generation and the generations to come.

Tim Le Drew, Richmond, BC
It means a lose/lose for EVERYONE. Who knows what resources the entire province is missing out on by having so many children (yes, children) who don't have enough to eat, safe places to live, and the opportunities to really become who God intends them to be. Meanwhile "breaks" are given to corporations and the wealthiest people while the minimum wage (emphasis on MINIMUM) continues to ensure that people are not treated as people.

Diane Morris, Nanaimo
Many of us feel so fortunate to have very pleasant places to live with sea and mountain views, while others have so little. It's so hard to realize that we have such diverse living conditions in such a rich country. If we get government support and all give a little more, we can make a huge difference. There must also be empty buildings that could be used/renovated for at least short term housing for the homeless. Let's make a difference and add our province to the names of those other provinces who are addressing this serious problem to help those less fortunate.

marc uchida, vancouver

kristin Quigley, Sointula, B.C.
People in our province should not have to live in poverty. Children come to school without food, clothing or adequate supplies for learning.

Nanc M Forhan, Vancouver (UBC)
Poverty and Homelessness in BC shows the true lack of compassion and committment from all levels of government. It's shameful and truly unnecessary that anybody in BC should be without proper housing and community support.

Danielle Huculak, Victoria

Jessica Campbell, Vancouver

Neighborhood Care International Association, Vancouver

Diane Green, Powell River BC
I deal with it daily in my young mom classroom.
Poverty hampers success in education.

xxxxxxxx, Powell River

Michael Peterson, Powell River
Poverty and homelessness means our system isn't working for everyone; we need to change our priorities.

Debbie van Dok, powell River
It is shameful that our society has placed so much value on commodity rather than the health of our families. There is no change in our society when we do not care for our most vulnerable.

Barbara Bawlf, Vancouver, BC

Sandra Acker, Sidney

Dr. Loren E. Acker, Sidney

xxxxxxxx, Powell River

Marion James, Chemainus
Poverty means families cannot afford to rent or buy homes and provide sufficient food, clothing and dentaland medical health too. We are responsible for our fellow peers who are homeless; why doesn't our government see this?

xxxxxxxx, Burnaby

St. Andrew\'s United Church, Nanaimo

xxxxxxxx, Quesnel, BC

Sharon Costello, Vancouver
The poverty and homelessness that exists today in BC is shameful and completely unacceptable. The choices that governments are making to further the for-profit corporate agenda at the expense of women, children, seniors and others who deserve our priority resources is someting each of us must demand an end to.

Shannon Daub, Vancouver

Patrick Dubois, Richmond
loss of human capital, waste of social investment, crippled childhoods

Charisse Daley, Kelowna
True injustice in such a prosperous country.

Barbara Ryeburn, Cranbrook
My students are coming to school hungry and with home issues because stress from lack of money is affecting their parents ability to care for them.

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver
It's time for the government to stand up and defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the the weak and needy, and deliver them from poverty. These children did not come out of the womb to see trouble,sorrow and neglect. The government should be ashamed of themselves that it has taken this long to help the most vulnerable in our society our children and their caretakers.

Hazel Trego, Campbell River
Poverty and homelessness means that children are inhibited from reaching their potential; post-secondary education is not available to many low income families. Having such a low minimum wage means that we have a slave class working at below subsistence level, even though these jobs are essential to keep our economy moving (clerks, servers, cleaners). Poverty and homelessness in B.C. means that honest, hard-working people live with shame and a sense of inadequacy surrounded by wealth and indulgence. Poverty and homelessness in B.C. means that many women live with chronic fear for their safety and their childrens' safety due to lack of resources to escape family violence. Poverty and homelessness in B.C. means that some children go to school every morning preoccupied by hunger and fear for their safety. Poverty and homelessness in B.C. means that many First Nations people live with despair in their traditional land, that is still legally theirs.

D. Ferguson, Coquitlam

xxxxxxxx, Surrey
It means that too many people are suffering while we have one of the strongest economies in the world. Shame on all of us for allowing this to become the status quo. It is time for the provincial and federal governments to provide the security net to ensure that all Canadians have a standard of living that means health, homes, and security.

Gerald Williams, Sooke, BC

Dennis Hemminger, Maple Ridge

Linda Taffs, Victoria
That it is a moral outrage in such a wealthy province.

Liam Smith, Victoria
It meant to me the death of my disadvantaged 45 year old brother. Stop the poverty now.

Colleen Glynn, Richmon
It means that our government has only one allegiance and that is not to the people of this province. It is to their corporate friends who have no thought for anyone or anything except making more money for themselves and their friends. The ironic thing is they are making this money off our backs and our labour!

xxxxxxxx, Duncan

charlotte De Souza, Brantford
It means alot for low income families also for people that are single parents like me on ontario works because jobs are not there for people like me with no exsperince

nancy ingersoll, vernon

xxxxxxxx, Kamloops BC

barry k Morris, Vancouver
Shame first of all; an erosion of what social justice means, secondly; and a sheer combined of political will with protecting econmic self-interests. Yes?

Emily Richardson, Victoria
Poverty and injustice go very much hand-in-hand, and both are a disgrace, in a society as wealthy as ours. When government ministers are legally entitled to a 29% wage increase, and the premier has doubled his salary since he took office, but the working poor are still paid .00 or even .00 an hour,then something is very wrong with that society. WE CAN SO CHANGE IT!!

Ron Currie, Williams Lake
Some of my neighbours are much less fortunate than I. They are forced to make decisions between food, child care, clothing and shelter that I have almost never known. This is a lifestyle that is financially restrictive and socially limited by poverty.
I believe poverty will continue for generations to come without positive and agressive action by leaders across all communities in BC.
This letter begins to address the issues.

INDERJIT SAINI, SURREY BC
NIGHTMARE..........................

Roz Johns, Richmond, BC V7C4R5
There is no need for this province to have the highest child poverty rate in Canada, homelessness or a group of people who find themselves "Working Poor". BC should be a role model for civil society. Introduce a fair Living Wage Policy to end the situation of "Working Poor", eradicate child poverty, build affordable housing, end homelessness and provide appropriate advocacy where needed. It can be done. It takes political will.

Val Embree, Vancouver
Poverty and homelessness is a collective failure of our institutions, businesses and communities. We can choose to change this.

xxxxxxxx, Revelstoke
It means that to many children and adults are not having their needs met. The government needs to stand up and do what is right. Maybe some of them should try living on what most normal people live on for a year and see what it is like for those who are marginalized by our society. Maybe then they would really understand the struggles faced by those who are marginalized. It is disgusting that our governments stand by and watch as more and more people and children wind up falling through the cracks. We give money to other countries and yet we have citizen's here who need the help just as much if not more than the other countries. Come on Government for once do the right thing and look after Canadian children and those marginalized by our Society.

Candace McKivett, Victoria

Melanie Scott, Mission
Poverty and homelessness means that children are living on the street, in unsafe conditions, in substandard housing, and are vulnerable to abuse and neglect. It means they go to school, if able, hungry and tired and unable to focus on learning. They are the future of our society and we need to care for and nurture children so they have the skills and ability to care for and nurture future generations. It is unfathomable and unacceptable that children living in Canada, a country rich in resources, live in poverty and are homeless.

Brian Hill, Victoria
Povery comes at great cost to the well-being and dignity of individuals and their families. It also comes at great economic cost to our communities and province in the form of unrealized potential for contribution.

Dianne Goldberg, Halfmoon Bay BC
Too many politicians elected provincially and federally aren't committed to social justice for ALL and "we" elect them again and again and ....

Janice Meehan, Surrey BC

Michael Byers, Salt Spring Island
The true test of a society is how it treats those who cannot help themselves.

xxxxxxxx, Kelowna
Children need nutritious food and warm, dry places to sleep. It's just that simple.

Charlene R, Kamloops
I was born and raised in a small rural town in North Western BC, and it is a rare thing to see a homeless person pushing a shopping cart (with all their belongings) down the street, or to see a person sleeping in a doorway of a local business. Unless you live in a city, you don't see the poverty and homelessness. But it’s out there. How many people live from pay check to pay check. Food, rent and heat are not “optional” they are BASIC needs! The TV commercial’s displaying the FOOD vs Electricity is all too real. It is the reality of the working poor! Poverty and homelessness in BC is a crying shame! Shame on you MR. Prime Minister for allowing the poor to get poorer and the rich to get richer! Let’s not forget about the children, women (single, divorced, abused), elders, veterans, and mentally challenged people out on the streets or soon to be on the streets!

Lorraine Logan, New Westminster
Shameful for a rich country as Canada not to adhere to a social policy of taking care of our own children and adults.

Gene S. Robert, Grand Forks BC
I am chairing a "public Safety committee" that is attempting to provide emergency housing for men, youth at risk and families. Its not about People its about Housing.

Gene S. Robert, Grand Forks BC
Its not about people. Its about the lack of housing

Jim and Eva Manly, Nanaimo, B.C.
Poverty and homelessness in BC when we are well-off is a disgrace to us personally and to all of our society.

Brittney Kerr, Vancouver

Elly Carlson, Victoria
Shame

Christina Macaulay, Victoria
starving children, Physically, Emotionally, Physically, Intellectually, and Socially!

marilyn kirke,

Marilee Peters, Vancouver

Pam Best, Port Moody

First Metropolitan United Church, Victoria
I sincerely hope this isn't too late to add our name. We had a council meeting last evening and passed a motion to sign on.

Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks, New Westminster
It means that young people will continue to be brought into government care because their families cant care for them properly - and neglect is by far the top reason young people come into care. It means that young people in care will continue to be impoverished while in care, as they fight for the right to participate in recreational activities, to have adequate schooling and clothing, and have the ability to keep contact with, and see, their family. It means that the majority of the time, young people exit care and continue to stay in poverty, or are usually faced with an even higher level of poverty. It is one of the most significant pieces that government can address that will positively impact the experiences of youth in care.

Jane Bouey, Vancouver
As an elected school board trustee I see the impact of poverty and homelessness on a day-to day basis in our schools. In a society as wealthy as ours - this is simply unacceptable.

Barbara Fisk, Mission
Mainly I worry about the children who need the stability of safe, secure homes, parents who are not consumed with worry about providing adequately for them, and the chance to fully take part in their communities and our society in general.

CAM CRAIG, KELOWNA
I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SAVE UP MONEY. SINCE JOINING THE WORK FORCE I HAVE ONLY MOVED FURTHER INTO DEBT.
NOW FIGHTING A CUSTODY BATTLE OVER MY SON, MY LAWYER MAKES MORE AN HOUR THAN I MAKE A WEEK, AND I AM ALREADY DROWNING IN DEBT, STRUGGLING TO PAY MY TAXES FROM 2008, THE MORE I WORK THE MORE THEY TAKE...

Joyce Sam, Merritt B.C.
We live in the most beautiful province. yet poverty, homelessness and low wages are not been addressed by the current goverment. It's embarressing to hear of the current politicians getting charged for money embezzelment, votes that are questioned because of bribaries, and we as tax payers have to pay for their greed. Their greed takes money out of the mouths of our innocent children, that are struggling to have decent food, shelter and an education. The Olympics wll keep us in debt for the next 25 years, thus leaving our children t pay for this. Promises are always broken, affecting the most under privilaged most of all. The under privilaged don't have a voice of their destiny, it's decided for them, with little regard, if any. I am native, and see poverty everyday. What's more frustrating is that any land development, or mining expantions, natives get peanuts while corporations continue to make their millions from our territories. Keep politics and business seperate. We, the people of BC would not sell our resources. Where does all of that money go. I can only guess. Governemnt only works and looks at the province on a four year term, rather than planning and caring for the geneations to come.

Barbara Moniuk, Maple Ridge
It means the most vulnerable persons in our society are not able to reach their potential as citizens and contributors to our society.

xxxxxxxx, Chilliwack
It is a disgusting reflection on our society today that we even allow homelessness and such extreme childhood poverty. Everyone should be ashamed.

xxxxxxxx, Victoria

Dr. Skuridina, North Vancouver
unjust and unequitable society that limits personal development and meaningful & productive life

Michael Goldberg, Halfmoon Bay

Jessie Kerr, Comox
Great humans from recent history, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and many others, were hounded, attacked, imprisoned and even murdered because they fought the Status Quo. Now they are revered as heros and heroines...the founders of great and positive changes in society. How can we, the citizens of B.C., who hosted a world event, such as the Olympics, fail to care for the young and the vulnerable within this province. We now need to set an example with a living wage Olympic for all and homes and food for all. Let's do it!!!!!!

Hans Kratz, Qualicum Beach

Alexander Hemingway, Prince George

Sarah Leavitt, Vancouver
There is no justifiable reason for the levels of poverty and suffering in our rich province. Things needs to change!

C.L. Hanson, Vancouver, BC

Jonathan Down, Victoria
It is a systemic form of child abuse, and undermines a child's developmental potential

Beryl Wilson, Vancouver

Hannah Moffatt, Vancouver

Mohamed A. Baranyikwa, Burnaby
Imagine, if some BC working families cannot afford to pay rent,have two meals per day or pay bills, that's means a hell for non working famillis! I find this unfair and inhuman. Both Governments should think about bringing a relief among poor famillies.

Brendan A. Kennedy, Quesnel

joanne bierman, west kelown

D. Kostyshin, Vancouver
An inharmonious situation.

ellen dixon, mission

Dave Hazzan, Victoria

Glenn Girard, Surrey

Tracey Ferguson, Victoria
Poverty and homelessness is disgraceful in a country as wealthy as Canada. It's just not acceptable. Our governments should ensure that there is adequate affordable housing and income support for all, especially for those who are vulnerable, like the disabled.

Jocelyne Hamel, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver
We can certainly do better than this status quo. If we put half as much effort and money into fighting poverty as did on the Olympics we would not have a homelessness problem, or an affordable housing crisis, a slashed school budget, etc... today.

xxxxxxxx, Victoria

Elizabeth Kaller, Victoria

xxxxxxxx, vancouver
poverty and homelessness is something that no one in Canada should have to bear I kbow first hand what it is like as my son has not had a place to live and has bee couch surfing for the past year stuck in a bind and finding not having a home limits the kind of work that he can get because he never know how he is going to sleep and where he will be the next day, homelessness is the worst thing for anyone as it affects their health and well being, everyone has the right to respect and to have a place to rest at the end of a day

Peter J. Hutchings, Burnaby
Suffering that can be prevented by people working together to address and heal the root causes.

Cecilia Tagle, Vancouver
Social Injustice.

Roald & Ruth Anderson, Victoria
A failing of citizens to direct government to implement a sound social housing policy and state a willingness to pay the required taxes to fund the cost.

Clare Hacksel, vancouver

George Simich, Nanaimo
It means that the wrong people are making wrong decisions for wrong reasons.

Edward Wilson, Gabriola, B.C.

xxxxxxxx, New Westminster
It means I live in a society which doesn't value equality, and I'm ashamed

Masrour Zoghi, North Vancouver
What's going on in BC is utterly disgraceful, although I must add that given the fact that BC has an influx of homeless people (I know this from talking to homeless people who told me about Vancouver-bound one way bus tickets they were given in Alberta), the federal government should allocate some money for dealing with this. Of course, this is not going to happen anytime soon given the neo-liberal government in BC and the neo-conservative government in Ottawa.

Denise Dufault, Burnaby
It means we are immoral, we are a rich Province, Country and we have to take care of our own.

Irene Kane, Burnaby
On a small fixed pension, poverty hits home. Those who are homeless are even worse off, not necessarily due to any fault on their part. Poverty in BC is the situation for people of all ages and right across all ethnic groups and needs to be addressed.

letizia waddington, vancouver
it is painful to see and hear individuals struggling to pay rent and food. It is embarrassing to be a member of a society where systematic poverty is accepted.

Sue Scott, Vancouver

Lynne Marks, Victoria

Danielle Moore, Burnaby
Poverty creates a cycle of illness, crime, unemployment and basically a society that is broken down. I am tired of politicians coming up with short-term "solutions" without the proper investments and commitments that just ends up costing everyone more on many, many levels, not just in $$$. Helping to get a sensible rental housing market back in the Lower Mainland would be a start.

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver, BC

Jef Keighley, Halfmoon Bay

Richard Weatherill, Victoria, BC
It means that the (political) promise of a "Golden Decade" was and is a sham.

Jane Larsen, Courtenay
Poverty and homelessness in our province is uncivilized. In this day and age we know how and why people end up empoverished. I want to be apart of the change. I want to support our culture to wake up - to why we are truly here - we are not here to sqander our resources we are here to support one another to live civilized lives. A home, enough food and stable meaningful work is a right for every human being. Shake off the brainwashing that we don't have enough to feed and house everyone. Lets just funnel the resources we have into making our communities strong - each and every member of our communty cared for.

Bob Hollies, Qualicum Beach

Richard Marcuse, West Vancouver
A failure of imagination, a failure of ethics.

Dana Quantz, Victoria

Hilary Marks, Victoria BC
It means that this is not the best place to live and work. It is also not the best place for children. The government is not listening to the people that they supposedly represent.

Penny Rogers, vancouver

Deborah Diduck, Powell River

Marshall S. Smith, Langley BC

Mavis DeGirolamo, Victoria
It means we have a government and a society which is uncaring for our most vulnerable citizens.

Fran Thoburn,
It means we should be taxing the richer people in order for the government to keep the social network alive and functioning properly.

Elizabeth Rutherford, Victoria
It is yet another blot on the recent record of the current government.Why should people suffer this way when so many live in the lap of luxury

Terra Poirier, Vancouver

Tamara Herman, Victoria

Mary Carlisle, Victoria
It is an unnecessary condition which causes tremendous hardship to the poor and homeless and ends up costing all citizens in ways financial and spiritual.

Neal Kretchmar, Nelson
A falure of the society I live in.

Velveeta Krisp, Vancouver
It is a shame!

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver
As a person with a Disability I experience the added barrier of poverty every day. I dream of a decvent living standard for the Disabled and all other groups that endure poverty. It is time for the needless suffering to stop!

Donnie Wilson, Comox

Linda Carter-Collins, Chemainus,B.C.
Man's inhumanity to man..... we must start to realize that we are all in tis together..... so let's start working together..... for the benefit of all..... there's no need for suffering..... it just lowers the standard of living for all..... it is not OK to think in order for an individual to be doing well someone should be doing less well. There really is enough to go around..... we can stop the waste for starters and then start to use our brains for better solutions !

xxxxxxxx, Qualicum Beach, BC

xxxxxxxx, Campbell River
I follow and admire the "Jade" coaltion here in Campbell River and add my voice locally to the fight for resources and funding within our school system. I am very vocal about my opinions on the two tier system that is evidently becoming a way of life for people on the island. With the closing of the mill and under the Liberals leadership for the last 8 years, I have personally witnessed the horrifying reality of what we in Canada have become andit is in direct contrast to what our constitution and the Bill of Human Right promises to each and every one of us.

I have a special needs child and have been on and off the welfare system. I have seen the disintigration of our socical safety nets to the point that human beings in need are treated like criminals because of, in some cases, circumstances that are beyond their control. I am very aware of the rights of the Children and Families and I am also aware that the United Nations ranks Canada as being in breach of this agreement for numerous years now. It seems like the Hughes report has dissapeard frommenory and view and no longer hold any promise of change. Who is holding this government accountable in the Ministry of Children and Families and all theotherministries? Is the auditor General not responislbe for assuring our Rights Under the Constitution as a voting public or is ther someone else that is responsible. The Privy council possibly?

Campbell River as a commmunity is being ripped further by a part by a select few on city council that seem to have thier own personal interests at heart and not that of their community.

Clair, I admire you as a woman and as a politician and can see your detication to your beliefs manifested in your work. I have seen every sector of the work force affected in this governments blatant disregard for it's voters wishes and needs. I have two teenage children that cannot find work and I have a hard time making ends meet myself. I am not on assistance but operate a residental cleaning business, which when working, pays reasonably well and this gives me flexible hours to be available for my young. s There are not many opportunities available to our children without a higher education and even then. I see promising students dropping out because they can no longer afford to finish thier programs and cannot find work. We need to have a living wage to give every citzen the dignity they deserve. I believein the right to an affordable and decent education is also part of the charter of Human Rights?

Crime is rampant here and maybe if you leave addicts and others on welfare alone,there may not be as much desperation and cause for the kinds of things such as murders that are occuring soemtimes weekly in our community. I am not advocating for abuse of the system but fair and practical management and the resources for people to get the help that they need through the proper channels. It is incredible that these services which we need the most would be the first to go. Give people the resources to turn to when in need then there will be a reduction in desperation and thus a reduction in the crime rate.

Sian Thompson wrote many articles about the lack of understanding (willingness to change the status quo)of those in power and to honor Human Rights as part of the United Nations. The
blatant disregard for human rights in our communities makes me very sad. It is true our community is trying in some ways butgovernment and not jsut the private sector needs to be involved more. Where are the housing units promised by B.C. housing and the monies for insfastructure are nice but will not help to create jobs and better peoples lifes. It is a waste of money and we need stimulus in the form of an injection directly into the middle and lower incomes pocket books to stimulate the economy and promote faith in our government and in our the once secure and reliable systems that worked in proir recessions.

You would think that in dealing with the problems of today in terms of the recession this government would look at the fact that stimulus practices directed at the middle to low wage earner and unemployment insurance helped to lessen the affects and duration of recessions and depressions in previous years. Give us a living wage! The sterotyical thinking of government has to change! If it were that simple to just get a job or more education than people would do it. Supports are the reason why our governemnt is in power it is the difference between having a job or not. No one gets to where they are alone. What needs to be realizeds is that we are all one pay cheque, one illness away from homlesness.

Supports in life enable us to be who we are and have what we have. No one does it on their own and it is vain to suppose that a person does this alone.

It is with a deep sadness that I say these things and hope that the future will see sensiblility in this government and a more democratic style of governance prevail.

With the utmost respect and admiration.

Michelle Haslehurst

Gail Novack, Nelson

Penny Tilby, Vancouver
I am ashamed to live in such an affluent community that refuses to address the systemic causes of the poverty of so many of our citizens.

Susan Stout, North Vancouver

Roberta Fritz, Duncan
If we can't find it in our collective hearts and social consciences to eradicate poverty and homelessness, perhaps we can do it out of greed. Just think of the economic advantage to our society if "the poor" were able to buy all the non-essential "stuff" the rest of society "must have", if they were given increased purchasing power.

Jonathan Livinstone, North Vancouver

Tao-Yee Lau, Vancouver

Ruth Chitty, South Surrey
In our province, poverty and homelessness is growing reality for far too many people. For the sixth consecutive year, BC is shamefully at the top with the highest child poverty rates in Canada ; BC's minimum wage is one of the lowest. Affordable housing is scarce. We need a government with values that embrace human rights and social justice rather than greed- a government with the political will and commitment to actions that would address inequalities and the conditions that often disadvantage citizens.

Murray Jackson, Vancouver

Lilly Wong, N. Vancouver

Jean Swanson, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Leeds
... to re connect our under valued children and young people especially from the aborigional communites to empower and engage them to promote economic and employment inlcusion. Help them achieve thier economic well-being. Let's think differently for a change.... Let's shift our views and re-define them as Canadian's future workforce..

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver

Alberni Valley Social Planning Council, Port Ablerni
We are a new group of people in the Alberni Valley that are committed to working for the healthy life of our community. We are concerned about the high levels of family poverty in our community and support the call on our governments to work to change this.

Tom Gore, Victoria BC
poverty and homelessness are signs of a society that no longer cares about its disadvantaged citizens.

xxxxxxxx, Grand Forks
What can I say that someone else has not already said! Enough to poverty, homelessness and excessive cuts back, etc……enough already.

Scott Scholefield, Prince George
I pray that by signing this petition that we can all work together to work on a plan to reduce poverty, no matter what the cost.

xxxxxxxx, Victoria

Janice Williams, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Victoria

May Lorraine: Mickelow, Powell River, BC

Josef Fisher, Vancouver
An excerpt from CATASTROPHIC CORRUPTION of PUBLIC SERVICE (http://fcase.blogharbor.com/blog):
We worked as foster parents, model citizens and caregivers with excellent results and reviews. Most of altogether nineteen children in our care had special needs. Immediate family breakdown was in the best interest of only six of them, necessary to protect their health and lives. Thirteen other children's families needed an easily accessible help. Systematic violations of the law requiring the less disruptive services (maybe some babysitting, or help from the cleaning service, a little more food or other basic necessities), whenever it is safe, astronomically increase the costs of State care. This care is usually inadequate. Often, as in our case, is extremely harmful, with very tragic results. Certainly less than one out of every one hundred dollars spent on similar destructions could dramatically improve the quality of whole families’ lives.

Alison Ward, Vancouver, BC

Padraic Kellington, Vancouver British Columbia

Anna Johnston, Victoria
That as a society we should be embarrassed and that our elected representatives should be deeply ashamed.

Wendy Wilkins, Victoria
i am part of the working poor. i am a single parent with a good job that i paid to go to college for so i really shouldn't be struggling to pay my bills and feed my children but i am. Our province needs to have more funding to the less fortunate, without proper funding for our social and education programs, our communities will cost more to the budget in the long run.

Fiona York, Vancouver

xxxxxxxx, Penticton
Fewer opportunities, high risk of poor health.

Kim Poirier, Victoria
Sadly, we have regressed markedly as a society that cares for, and cares about our weakest citizens.

Kinzie Grant, Victoria
Having been a victim of both issues,I have to say that they rep. everything that is wrong in our society.It is impossible to justify the negligence that has led to the current situation of desperation. We are at the point now where desperate people are making desperate decisions because the people who were supposed to make calm and rational decisions have abandoned all pretense of nobility.

Benjamin Low-Beer, Vancouver

Sydney Weaver, Vancouver

Ginnie Mathers, Vancouver

Nancy Konkin, Midway,B.C.
People need to open their eyes, try and imagine what it is like to have to get by the incomes of those on disability and on social assistance. On PWD disability the maximum benefit for a single person is 6 a month, on social assistance it is much less. In rural areas like I am, there are no food banks and many have no vehicle to get to where there are any.

John Greaves, Midway
In this day and world there is no excuse for people living in poverty. There is plenty to go around. It is the greed of government, people and corporations that causes some unfortunate to go without. I concur with the goals and direction of this petition and believe it should be expanded to encompass the world.

Joseph K. Poisson, Beaverdell B.C.
Will this change anything though,but we have to try....

Beverley Neff, Saturna Island

Christine Nicol, Delta

Rio Bates, Salt Spring Island

xxxxxxxx, Victoria
Homelessness is a constant reminder that "you could be next." We could accomplish these goals in a much shorter time frame with emergency housing and a Guaranteed Livable Income. Not every homeless person needs a social worker, but EVERYONE needs housing!

Central Okanagan Consumer Council, Kelowna

Donna Steeves, Quesnel

Olivia Lestideau, Prince George
It means members of my immediate family worry about food rather than concentrating on education or career.

Bernadette Keenan, Surrey
It means we need to re-examine our priorities. We are spending way too much on environmentally damaging projects like the South Fraser Freeway and not enough on things that are really important like people.

Michael Gazetas, Vancouver
It means a safer neighbourhood where we live - Strathcona

xxxxxxxx, New Westminster, B.C.

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver

W. Robert Arnold, Victoria
It means that I have often gone without something I needed and/or wanted when others around me have been able to access their needs. It means people suffering and self medicating. It means people being clinically depressed because being poor is depressing. It means being unable to attend funerals of loved ones in Ontario. It means having to appear without counsel in court. It means a cheap diet and unhealthy weight gain.

Ruby-anne Makowski, Surrey Bc
I have been a Criminology student for 5years and this subject is very important to me as its the one that always stands out in the statistic. I just don't see why anyone in this beautiful, resource filled province has to go hungry. Also, as a single mother who works part time and is full time student I have always known I fall below the poverty line but always kept my head up as i have great family support. Others are not so lucky so our government needs to stand up for its citizens.

janet baird, powell river
It means hopelessness,suffering and final resignation unless we do something to change it.

Joanne Schroeder, Comox

alan towers, fort langley
A sense of shame and an awareness of the waste of potential in marginalized citizens.

robert sinyard, new westminister
It's the government that is screwed up, not to mention the workers who take pride in keeping checks from people, they are rude, they treat you with no respect what so ever. My nieghbor told them I was working, traveling etc.I can barely walk. But they don't care. Last month I recieved an eviction notice because I didn't get my dissability check, and again this month. I'm on multiple meds and I had another seizure due to this and now again. Homelessness scares the hell out of me, but if you can ruin one mans life with a phone call somethings wrong. Take your check a .......

Peggy Jensen, Nanaimo BC
We have a responsibility to look after those who do not have the ability to provide for themselves. We have an abundance in our Province to be shared

Kris Jensen, Nanaimo
A society that looks after it's homeless and it's children is one that prepares for the future ofering opportunities that in rteality becomes it's blessing. It does not impoverish us. It makes us wealthy beyond imagination.

Marcia. MacDonald, Vancouver

(Rev.) David S. Fearon, Nanaimo
1) We need to alleviate homelessness; 2) MORE IMPORTANTLY: WE NEED TO REMOVE THE CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS!!! (In Germany & France last June, I did not see ANY homeless streetpeople during the month I was there.)

xxxxxxxx, Vancouver

Cassandra Mitchell, Kitimat, BC

xxxxxxxxx, Nelson
Poverty and homelessness mean that we as a society are missing out on the incredible gifts those living in poverty have to share with the world. What a shame. It's time for human thriving - for all.

Merv Adey, Victoria

Krystal Smith, Kamloops BC

Trevor Ritchie, Burnaby
As a child, I was always taught that everyone has to work together, that the community always will be there to look after its members. Its been a long time since we had a government that remembered that lesson, and it shows in how widespread poverty and homelessness has become here in BC.

Chelsey McAllister, Victoria

Karen Frederickson, Surrey
Having good food, safe shelter is a human right. And you can't obtain these things if you don't have enough money.