17.9°C Not observed 
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We live in a province of great contrasts. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the distribution of wealth.
According to the First Call B.C. report once again, for the sixth year in a row, B.C. holds the despicable record of having the most children living in poverty in Canada.
Almost 19 per cent of our kids live in families that don’t have enough money to take care of them.
What exactly does that mean? Well for starters it signifies that one out of every five children in our province likely does not have the necessities of life. It means that instead of the letters to Santa asking for the latest and greatest toy, little Susie or Sam is hoping for a new pair of winter boots or perhaps her or his first new coat ever.
It means that there are moms and dads in every town, city and burg hanging their heads in shame because they can’t provide for their families. It means there are teenagers working long hours after school and on weekends to supplement their families’ income. This is a double shame — kids shouldn’t have to support themselves and we, the citizens of B.C. shouldn’t allow them to.
It’s easy to dismiss the First Call report as just another poverty group’s gripe, but what about all those little people who depend on us for a fair shake. Why should who they’re born too determine which children get to grow to their full potential?
The face of poverty is all around us. It’s in the visage of the little girl who can’t participate in school events because she either hasn’t the cash to do so or doesn’t have the equipment. It’s in the calculated strut of the boy who’s tired of always being the odd man out at the rink or in his Scout troop. And it’s in the sad countenances of the parents who depend on the food bank month after month.
It’s easy to lay the blame on the victims of poverty. Well if they really wanted to help themselves, they could, we think. We shrug at the suggestion that B.C.’s minimum wage should be raised and ignore the measly $6 per hour training wage designed to lure younger and younger employees into what amounts to a life of servitude.
We can continue to turn our heads from the reality of child poverty in B.C. and for that we will reap what we sow in the years to come. Without proper nourishment, which, you guessed it, costs money; there will be even larger demands on our health system. Without proper childcare, because parents are working ungodly hours to survive and there are no babysitters they can afford, we will pay a big price when lonely, unsupervised children resort to illegal acts.
It’s time to let our government know you care — our kids deserve it.
