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British Columbia’s 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy

Last updated on July 26, 2024

British Columbia’s updated Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF, 3.1MB) sets a path to reduce overall poverty by 60%. The strategy also sets a road map to reduce child poverty by 75%, and, for the first time, seniors’ poverty by 50% by 2034.

It builds on the progress made through B.C.’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2019 TogetherBC (PDF, 881KB). The new 2024 strategy:

  • Outlines cross-government work to tackle poverty
  • Identifies where more action is needed over the next decade to build a stronger future

The strategy’s vision is of a province where:

  • Everyone can build a good life
  • Services and supports are available, equitable and accessible
  • People feel connected to culture and included in community

To achieve this vision and make B.C. better for people, government will continue:

  • Strengthening programs and services people rely on
  • Supporting employment and community connections
  • Fighting inequity

The strategy identifies eight critical action areas for government to focus on:

  • Upholding Indigenous self-determination
  • Preventing poverty
  • Meeting basic needs
  • Making programs and services better and more accessible
  • Updating income assistance and disability assistance
  • Opening up access to education and skills training
  • Providing effective pathways to employment
  • Facilitating greater social inclusion

Legislation

Targets, timelines, and accountability are laid out in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act. The Act was amended in 2024 to align with our updated strategy.

Targets 

New legislated 10-year 2034 targets (using 2016 as the baseline) to reduce the:

  • Overall poverty rate by 60%
  • Child (under 18) poverty rate by 75% 
  • Seniors’ poverty rate by 50%

Progress

We will continue to prepare annual progress reports by October 1 that describe the actions taken and progress made:

​Accountability

An independent advisory committee will continue to advise the Minister. It will include representation from around the province, like: 

  • Advocates
  • Experts
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • People with lived experience
  • Other key sectors

The committee includes a letter in each annual report. Their letter will outline their views on progress made and progress required.

B.C.’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
2024 BC Poverty Reduction Strategy cover

British Columbia’s roadmap to tackle poverty.

2022 Annual Report
2022 annual report cover

Actions taken and progress to reduce poverty in B.C.

Read the 2022 report (PDF, 1MB)

What We Heard About Poverty in B.C.
What We Heard About Poverty in B.C. report cover

In 2023, we heard from over 10,000 people across the province, over 70% with lived experience of poverty:

Read the What We Heard Report (PDF, 12.5MB)

We undertook a separate, distinctions-based engagement to hear from Indigenous people:

Read the Indigenous Engagement report (PDF, 7.2MB)

 

Period Poverty Task Force Final Report
Cover of the BC Period Poverty Task Force Final Report and Recommendations, submitted March 2024

Stigma and high costs have made it difficult for people living in British Columbia to access menstrual supplies. This report includes short- to long-term strategies to address this pressing issue.

Read the BC Period Poverty Task Force Final Report (PDF, 1.2MB)