Government taking action to help people out of poverty

Press Release

July 24, 2024

VICTORIA – People facing complex barriers will have better access to employment opportunities with the launch of wraparound services that support the most vulnerable on their path to employment readiness.

Community-based Employment Services (CBES) will offer individualized support for people facing challenges, such as unstable housing, health, mental health and substance use, to help them gain stability, confidence and take steps to get a job.

“People say they feel better, and are better off, when they have a job and community connections, so we are reducing barriers for those who can work while continuing to support those who cannot,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “This new employment program, part of today’s new poverty reduction strategy, will support people getting back to work so they can build a better life.”

With support from the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Development Agreement, the Province is investing almost $4 million into Community-based Employment Services for the next three years. Beacon Community Services will deliver the pilot program in Victoria and by August 2024 other providers will be selected to offer CBES in Vancouver (Downtown Eastside), Surrey, Prince George and Nanaimo.

“Research shows that there is a direct relationship between people working and their overall health and well-being, whether they are housed or unhoused, dealing with substance-use issues, or not,” said Tricia Gueulette, CEO, Beacon Community Services. “Our goal is to provide a safe place for people dealing with complex barriers to come and experience a sense of respect, dignity and community, while receiving community-based employment support.”

The program recognizes that some people face complex barriers to employment and offers tailored and flexible supports to help people stabilize and connect to the services they need while working on volunteer projects or participating in training as they build employment readiness. All services will be delivered in trauma-informed and culturally safe ways.

“When I found myself and my three children in a position of struggle, I discovered the supports within WorkBC and Beacon,” said Melissa Hoffmann, a mother from Sidney who used Beacon’s services. “I was offered access to funded schooling, food and child care. This allowed me to follow my passion, graduate as an early-childhood educator and have a fresh start. I humbly acknowledge the hard work I put in to make this happen, but without these programs, I would not be in the position I am today. These new services can help people with even more complex challenges.”

The new CBES services will meet people where they are on their path toward employment and support the goals of British Columbia’s 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy.

The new strategy lays out cross-government work to create a province where everyday necessities, such as food, housing, health care and transportation are accessible and affordable for everyone, and every person has access to opportunities such as skills training and employment services. It incorporates feedback from more than 10,000 people, 70% of them with lived experience of poverty, gathered during B.C.’s public consultation in 2023.

The strategy brings together initiatives to help people with the rising cost of living, deliver more homes people can afford, make child care more accessible, improve wages and help people get and keep employment.

Besides CBES, WorkBC centres will continue to provide a wide range of employment services, including assistive technology to support people with disabilities, while specialized training will be offered for people who are under-represented in the workforce.

Learn More:

To find a local WorkBC centre, visit: https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/WorkBC-Centres/WorkBC-Centres-Listing.aspx

To read the new Poverty Reduction Strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/about-the-bc-government/poverty-reduction-strategy

To find more about Beacon Community Services, visit: https://www.beaconcs.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Media Relations
250 812-9118

BACKGROUNDER

Ravi Kahlon, B.C. Minister of Housing –

“People are best able to maintain housing when they have stable jobs. This program will connect people, especially those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to tailored services that empower them to get more job opportunities that will help them secure housing. Our Homes for People action plan commits to building thousands of homes so people have access to affordable housing and supports that meet their needs.”

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill –

“We are all better off in a province where we take care of each other. We know that one of the best ways out of poverty is meaningful employment. This new program will make a difference for people facing barriers to employment. We are proud to pilot this initiative in Victoria in partnership with Beacon Community Services.”

Randy Boissonnault, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages –

“Building a strong future workforce starts with removing barriers to employment today. The launch of the Community-based Employment Services, funded by the Labour Market Development Agreement with B.C., will provide British Columbians with the skills they need to build up their communities and kick-start their careers. This means more great jobs and a stronger, more prosperous Canada.”

Chantille Viaud, executive director, Fernwood NRG –

“With the rising cost of food, housing and basic necessities, more and more people in our community are turning to us for essential services like good food boxes, meal programs, and family support. At Fernwood Neighbourhood House, we believe that our community can only thrive when no one is left in poverty. That’s why we’re encouraged by the government’s renewed poverty-reduction strategy.”

Dan Huang-Taylor, executive director, Food Banks BC –

“With people turning to food banks in record numbers, Food Banks BC is excited to see the launch of B.C.’s new Poverty Reduction Strategy. Urgent action is needed to alleviate and prevent poverty and to make life more affordable in B.C. We welcome the provincial government’s commitments toward reducing poverty and look forward to working collaboratively toward a future where no person in British Columbia experiences hunger or food insecurity.”

Adrienne Montani, member, poverty reduction advisory committee; and executive director, First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society –

“In the face of increases in essential living costs such as housing and food, First Call is glad to see a renewed commitment to B.C.’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, including a goal to reduce child poverty by 75% by 2034. Redoubling our efforts to prevent child poverty is crucial as we know poverty is a threat to children’s health and development. We look forward to working with government on the eight critical action areas outlined in this new strategy.”

Leslie Varley, executive director, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres –

“Many of the pathways out of poverty contain barriers for Indigenous people. Inaccessible loans, education requirements, discriminatory policies and programs all make a huge challenge even harder. But wraparound supports that are community-based and culturally safe can remove many of these barriers. The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres welcomes this new initiative and the government’s commitment to improving the well-being and prosperity of our families and communities.”

Caitlin Ashley Lind Wright, member, poverty reduction advisory committee; and legal advocate, Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) –

“As TAPS continues to support low-income persons’ fight to access critical income and disability assistance and provide legal services for imminent evictions, we are hopeful these cross-government measures and renewed commitments from the BC Poverty Reduction Strategy will lead to sustained and meaningful transformation in our communities. With the staggering costs of housing, food and everyday basics seeing no end in sight, it has never been more critical to take bold action against rampant unaffordability and the deepening of poverty across the province.”

Contact:

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Media Relations
250 812-9118

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