New Statistics Canada numbers show B.C. holds the highest rate of child poverty in Canada for the eighth year in a row, with our overall poverty numbers the highest in Canada for 11 years.

According to the report, B.C.’s child poverty rate increased from 10.4 to 12 per cent in 2009, an increase of 1.6 per cent compared to a 0.4 per cent increase nationally. The number of B.C. children living in

poverty rose from 87,000 to 100,000 in 2009. These figures do not include aboriginal children living on reserves. The number of poor persons of all ages rose from 490,000 to 528,000.

More than 100,000 B.C. children live in poverty.

It’s time for the government to commit to a poverty reduction plan addressing income, housing, child care, education, training, and the social determinants of health. It’s clear we’re headed in the wrong direction when 12 per cent of the province is living in poverty.

During the recent legislative session, I introduced a private member’s bill, the Poverty Reduction Act. If passed, this legislation would require the creation of clear provincial targets, timelines and a system of accountability for reducing poverty. Seven other provinces and territories have committed to or enacted poverty reduction strategies, yet B.C. has refused to take action to break the cycle of poverty.

The reality is that there are more than 100,000 children living in poverty in B.C. There are still children slipping through huge cracks within a patchwork system of services. A recent infant death review of 21 children who died in B.C. between 2007 and 2009 found that deep poverty was the single largest risk factor in their environment. The report noted that an ‘alarming number’ of the infants were aboriginal.

We have an obligation to reduce poverty and create opportunities for prosperity. The opposition caucus has initiated the first step in the creation of a plan that will put children and families first, and improve the lives of B.C.’s most vulnerable. We need the government to work with us to make that plan a reality.

www.shanesimpson.ca/news/bill-m216-—-poverty-reduction-act-2011
www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/110615/dq110615b-eng.htm
www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/news release Jun 11.pdf

Bill promotes prostate screening

I am pleased to support MLA Sue Hammell, who introduced the Access to Prostate Cancer Screening Act in the Legislature last month to ensure asymptomatic men have access to pre-screening exams, accompanied by active surveillance, covered by the medical services plan. The bill will require the support of all MLAs to pass.

This year, 3,100 B.C. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 570 will die from it. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) can help detect prostate cancer earlier, but B.C. remains one of the few jurisdictions in Canada that do not cover PSA screening. Experts in B.C. are recommending PSA screening, accompanied by active surveillance.

Charging for a PSA test, instead of providing a screening program, signals the test is unimportant, and deters low-income men from getting screened. Hammell’s bill would set up a screening program that provides both the PSA test and digital rectal exam (DRE).

www.leg.bc.ca/39th3rd/1st_read/m212-1.htm

Community cookbook launched

The Hastings Sunrise Cookbook project has wrapped up and is ready to share. Thanks to Melina Auerbach and Eileen Muzzin for putting this fabulous community cookbook together with the assistance of the Vancouver Neighbourhood Small Grants Program. The cookbook features over 45 different recipes collected from Hastings Sunrise residents, and includes appetizers, soups, salads, meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes, and of course desserts. Pick up a printed copy at my office or download a pdf version below.

Water parks now open

Burrard View Park 650 North Penticton July 4 – 18, Tue & Thu 10 am – 6 pm.
Clinton Park 2690 Grant St. July 5 – 19, Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 6pm.
Hastings Community Park 3000 E Pender Street Jul 5 – 19, Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 6 pm.
Pandora Park 2325 Franklin St. Jul 7 – 24, Mon – Sun 10 am – 7 pm.
Sunrise Park 1950 Windermere Jul 6 – Aug 28, Mon – Fri 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Woodland Park 705 Woodland Dr. Jul 6 – Aug 20, Tue – Sat 12 pm – 5 pm.

For all water parks in the city visit: http://cfapp.vancouver.ca/parkfinder_wa/index.cfm?fuseaction=FAC.FacilityList&ftype=38contact