Child poverty report card shows B.C.’s rate dropped by 4.7% in 2020, warns inflation may reverse progress

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a record low for child poverty rates in British Columbia, new data shows.

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a record low for child poverty rates in British Columbia, new data shows.

According to the 2022 BC Child Poverty Report Card, which was released on Tuesday, the province’s child poverty rate was 13.3 per cent in 2020—representing an annual decrease of 4.7 per cent.

First Call Child and Youth Advocacy has released a report card on child and family poverty in B.C. annually for the past 26 years, and 2020 is the first time the provincial rate dipped below Canada’s—which was 13.5 per cent.

“This year, the data tells us that a variety of short-term pandemic benefits, one-time financial benefits and changes to the Canada Child Benefit dramatically reduced the number of families,” reads the report.

However, now that most pandemic supports have expired, and amid record inflation and high living costs, First Call warns that any progress made towards decreasing the rate and severity of family poverty in 2020 may be lost.

“Now, more than ever, it is critical for governments at all levels to ensure that public services are robust and reach those most in need, that families can access affordable housing and that inflation is curbed,” the report states.

Speaking to media Tuesday morning, B.C.’s minister of social development and poverty reduction acknowledged the steps the government has taken— both under former premier John Horgan and B.C’s current leader, David Eby—to improve the lives of vulnerable people.