B.C.’s NDP government recast 18 months worth of its accomplishments on housing, child care and social assistance on Monday into a newly titled poverty reduction plan that left advocates looking for bold action disappointed. Social Development Minister Shane Simpson said the plan “comprises programs, polices and initiatives across government, tying together investments made over three budgets into a thoughtful, bold and comprehensive plan to address poverty in B.C.” The target is a 25-per-cent reduction in poverty, and a 50-per-cent reduction in child poverty, within five years. That means lifting at least 140,000 above the poverty line, including 50,000 children. Read More