According to statistics, one out of four children in the South Cariboo is living in poverty.
Local organizations urged the South Cariboo Joint Committee (SCJC) to take a resolution concerning poverty and food security to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).
“This is a call for eliminating poverty.”
Such was the opening statement of Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) executive director Lisa De Paoli at the June 13 meeting in the District of 100 Mile House council chambers.
The CFEC, a member of the BC Poverty Coalition, requested municipal support for two grant proposals.
CFEC asked the Joint Committee to take a resolution to UBCM to request the provincial government develop a poverty-reduction plan. The BC Poverty Coalition has noted B.C. is the only province that doesn't have a poverty-reduction plan.
With such a large number of South Cariboo families in poverty, De Paoli stressed that B.C. needs to enact a poverty-reduction plan.
“We all pay for poverty through increased health costs, high crime rates, lack of school readiness and more.”
If a resolution was passed by the UBCM membership, the provincial government would be requested to develop a poverty-reduction plan and put the plan into action.
De Paoli noted the poverty rate in B.C. could be reduced by 30 per cent in four years, with a possible 75 per cent drop in 10 years.
The SCJC members did not voice disagreement with this proposal. Current UBCM president Al Richmond suggested there should be a follow-up committee meeting to discuss the viability of the resolution.
SCJC members included District Mayor Mitch Campsall; councillors Ralph Fossum and Dave Mingo; Cariboo Regional District directors Richmond, Margo Wagner and Brian Coakley; and School District #27 Trustee Linda Nielsen.
The organizations also wanted the SCJC to take a lead municipal government role in the South Cariboo Food Security and Sovereignty plan (SCFSS), which would create a more sustainable food preparedness program.
South Cariboo Food Security Committee vice-chair Rita Giesbrecht presented the SCFSS plan proposal, which called for increased development in food security, production and emergency planning.
The plan's strategies suggest addressing root causes underlying food insecurity, providing opportunities for increased self-sufficiency around food, and encouraging governments to develop policies supporting local food production.
For the plan to be fully enacted, however, Giesbrecht insisted local government also be involved as a lead agency for the grant to get the traction it needs.
“When municipal governments aren't involved in projects like these, they will only have a short-term life span if at all.
"Grant funders have refused proposals similar to ours due to the lack of involvement shown by the municipality.”
Mayor Campsall interjected on this remark.
“The provincial government downloads regional issues on to municipalities, which prevents us from committing to these projects due to time and budget concerns.”
Giesbrecht countered with statistics that showed higher success rates for grants with municipal government involvement.
However, some District council members voiced their concerns about taking on a leadership role.
“If there is no overall control by council or the receiving group is not prepared to take on its responsibilities, it can be dangerous,” said Fossum.
Campsall also put forward his concerns.
“If we are looking to be the lead role all the time, we need to look into it and see what it all means.
"If we partner with every non-profit society, who pays for everything? We are liable to our tax payers and that is a major issue to consider.”
Giesbrecht concluded that the first level of engagement by the organizations towards the plan would cost nothing but time.
The meeting concluded with South Cariboo Joint Committee taking the proposals under advisement and thanked Giesbrecht and De Paoli for their presentations.
No clear decision was made.