The opportunity is now! Ask Your Politicians to Tackle Poverty

Details: Published on Wednesday, 24 May 2017 17:00; Written by editor

The opportunity is now! Ask Your Politicians to Tackle Poverty r1 ... r33

Thank you for all your work in supporting the Make Poverty Public election campaign. The need for a poverty reduction plan was a major talking point for many candidates in the election, multiple all-candidates meetings focused on poverty, and both the NDP and the Green Party committed to a poverty reduction plan including key elements. We also recorded a whopping 151 media hits since January so people were definitely talking about these issues!

As we wait to learn exactly what type of provincial government we will have, we have an opportunity to engage our representatives in the clear desire for change in BC. Please join us in taking a few minutes to phone them right now and ask them to start work on a poverty reduction plan for BC.

We also have an opportunity to influence the development of the federal poverty reduction strategy. Join us on June 14th in Vancouver or use our guide to host your own community consultation.

These are exciting times!

Thanks,
Trish and Omar

Federal Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultations

The Government of Canada is currently engaging Canadians on its development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy. This would not have happened without groups and individuals like you raising your voice about the urgent need for national leadership to tackle the root causes of poverty in our communities. And now the federal government is listening! This is an important opportunity to have your say and influence the development of a poverty reduction strategy for Canada.

First Call BC and the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition are organizing a consultation in Vancouver at 9 AM on June 14th at the BCTF building.

You can also host your own discussion and gather feedback from members of your community. We have developed this toolkit with templates and materials for organizing and promoting your event as well as collecting and submitting the results.

Other ways you can participate include:

the Government of Canada’s:

Dignity For All’s:

Register for Our Federal Consultation on June 14th Here!

Download the Consultation Toolkit Here!

Take Action with the Make Poverty Public App

Now is the time to let representatives from all parties know that you want them to make a commitment to a poverty reduction plan — a detailed and accountable strategy with concrete and legislated targets and timelines to dramatically reduce poverty, inequality and homelessness. Click here to try our new action app for two easy ways to take action:

Call Your Representatives
- Phone calls are far more effective at influencing politicians than emails, tweets, or Facebook posts. Phone calls are fast, painless, and get counted.
- In just 5 minutes, you can make a real difference. Just search for your new MLAs by postal code on the app and follow the call script provided.

Share your ideas online
- Help raise public awareness about how we can reduce poverty. Use the Reduces Poverty template provided to show how people are supporting a Poverty Reduction Plan throughout BC. Please email your photos to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- You’re also welcome to post it yourself on your own social media channels. If you decide to share your photo, please use the hashtag #MakePovertyPublic.

Talking Poverty Podcast

The volunteer Poverty Free Action Team released the third episode of their Talking Poverty podcast today. In this episode, they interview Heather McCain, executive director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods, about Sharing Our Realities: Life on Disability Assistance in British Columbia, a new report co-written with the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition.

Listen to the episode here.

If you'd like to get involved with the Poverty Free Action Team, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Volunteer Outreach Orientation

BC has had one of the highest poverty rates for the last 15 years. Urgent action is required on welfare, housing, childcare, health, education, low-wage work, and systematic marginalization. BC needs a poverty reduction plan. But sometimes its difficult to know how to advocate for one.

Join us at an outreach orientation that will give you all the tools you need to build support for a poverty reduction plan in BC, whether it’s talking to your friends and family or joining us at community festivals. When you’ve completed the orientation, you can help out at our outreach tables at events like the Vancouver Folk Festival, Main Street Car Free Day, and the Burrard Inlet Fish Festival.

The next orientation will be:

6:30-8 pm
Wednesday June 7th
815 W Hastings St
Vancouver, BC V6C 1B4

Click Here to Register today!

Tweet The BC Poverty Reduction Coalition acknowledges and honours the fact that
our communities lie on unceded Indigenous lands. Copyright © 2017 BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed a BC Poverty Reduction petition, subscribed to our mailing list at bcpovertyreduction.ca, or took part in a workshop with the Coalition.

Our mailing address is:
BC Poverty Reduction Coalition#810 - 815 West Hastings StreetVancouver, British Columbia V6C 1B4 Canada
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