Work still needed as child poverty rates drop: CAPRA

Shinski says what the government has done so far is helping, but doesn’t fully fix the issue.

“We do have some excellent federal and provincial subsidies that are helping to lower the child poverty rate. I think, though, that sometimes when it’s a provincial level or even federal level sometimes the local level is a bit different.

“An example would be something like transportation. Larger cities have more transfer payments and so we don’t necessarily see the cost savings to our low income individuals and families that the larger cities would see. So it still impacts smaller cities as well as rural areas differently.”

Shinski says CAPRA is looking at areas they can improve on to lower the child poverty rate further.

“Housing is a large area that we can improve on, as well as transportation,” she shares. “Food security is also an issue that we’ve looked at and we’re just looking to develop a kind of a report card locally on what it looks like to have to purchase food locally and also look at health as well.”

Shinski says CAPRA is looking to at what the needs and opportunities of low income families are and from there they would develop a strategy to “reduce and prevent poverty across central Alberta”.

She believes they are on track and informing people about the issue is very important.

“We also have some great community response to the issue and I think education is a big part of that. Just knowing the reality of your community and how you can change lives for the better.”

Shinski says CAPRA is compiling all the information they received to come up with a realistic plan, and that this assessment will be done by the end of the year.

by Stephen Moore

Work still needed as child poverty rates drop: CAPRA

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