Child Poverty in BC - The Best Place on Earth (subtitles)

[355000]

Yes, we have been in decline for almost 6 years

[gailgab]

Now that we've finished hosting the best winter games ever it's time to put all that energy and organizational skills into eliminating child poverty. We could do it if we could get the politicians on-board.

[farmoredunsley]

Just a word folks....the people who made the video (including me) are your average British Columbians. Some of us have wealth, some not so much, none of us consider ourselves advocates or activists. But we all were concerned that 20% of our kids are living in poverty. So we decided to do something, hopefully entertaining, but also informative. Most of us don't hate the Olympics. We just think that if we can pull off something that big and complicated we can eliminate child poverty.

[trikid0101]

@moyerdsrm

Hey bro, don't hate. I am just saying that not everyone here is poor and destitute. There are places in the world which are much worse off than BC. I went to Vancouver to experience the Olympic games over the weekend, and I really don't see how people can be so negative about them. They are doing well on profitability considering every single event is sold out. They also managed to bring nearly 1,000,000 people together from different nations in downtown Vancouver peacefully.

[jenjer85]

If more people voted things would actually change. If more people stood up to the government and actually DID something rather than complaining on YOUTUBE people would be fed. Go outside folks and feed them and help them yourselves!

[trikid0101]

I am not poor. I live in an awesome house that is completely paid for. I get treated whenever I am sick and it is covered by my medical. I get regular dentist appointments when I need them which is also covered. I enjoy watching the Olympics everyday. I thank Gordon Campbell for his efforts in bringing the games to Vancouver. I will happily be voting for Gordon Campbell in the next provincial election.

[moyerdsrm]

@trikid0101

Well, bravo for you - aren't you a sweetheart? "I'm not poor, and I live in a great, paid-for house, and all is well in my world, and therefore to hell with the rest of you".  Gad, am I glad I live several thousand kilometers away from you - you sound utterly nauseating. Enjoy the Olympics, you cretin.

[veggievamp1]

I am poor and lived in BC so I moved to the hellhole that is Manitoba. OF COURSE it expensive to live in Vancouver(I only lived in Vancouver so I say Vancouver), everyone would live there if we could but we cannot, that is just life everywhere on this planet. If you want bettter welfare move here or if want a job and affordable housing, move here. It will suck and you will freeze your ass off, but you won't be as poor or maybe not even poor.

[moyerdsrm]

@veggievamp1

I'm glad you managed to find a job in Manitoba, but are you seriously so naive as to believe that anyone without one - or any working poor, for that matter - should simply move to Manitoba and they'll instantly find employment? I've got relatives in Manitoba who are themselves unemployed even though they have good qualifications - sorry, but Manitoba simply doesn't have the resources, or the economy, to support all the poor of BC suddenly descending upon it.

[veggievamp1]

@moyerdsrm If someone can't find a job here they don't want to work or have high expectations for a job. The welfare here even pays more then BC but of course! I would rather be on welfare in Vancouver then Winnipeg! Seriously, I could send you the local paper and there are always jobs available and help wanted signs everywhere. I never said they were GREAT jobs though.

[bandcroft]

THANK YOU FOR THIS !!!!

I believe .... we live on stolen native land.

[BronwynLDF]

As a parent who works full time, pays all her taxes and has done everything the goverment has told me to do, I go to bed every night just hoping that the car won't break tomorrow. That the tiny appartment we can't afford won't have a rent increase. That my daughter won't get ill because I can't afford to take time off work. This is the province that Gordon Campbell has created with his greed. I hold him responsible for my sleepless nights.

[Spazz753]

The only way to change is to VOTE, get those folks outta here so all our realities can actually improve

[goodguesser1]

Give me a break. What ever happened to promoting a little self control and financial responsiblility. As a taxpayer I already pay more into the system for other peoples over exuberance in creating kids they could not afford to raise. Now you want the system to expand on school feeding programs to include tax payer financial support in providing for increased child maintenance. What ever happened to Responsible Family Planning. If you want Socialism then emmigrate to Russia - or Quebec.

[farmoredunsley]

The fact is more than 1/3 of BC's poor kids live in families where at least one adult has a full-time, full year job. That sounds pretty responsible to me. You can castigate poor people all you want, but the fact is with 20 of our kids and families living below the poverty line we are creating an underclass of people who are supposed to be the tax payers of the future. Doesn't sound very smart to me.

[VanFraser2010]

Gordon Campbell and all the Politicians should open there eyes and hold these Olympics to there original bid promises..wake up Canada

[farmoredunsley]

What's wrong with you,Gordon Campbell? I'm a greatgrandmother and it's time we looked after our children. I've taken care of mine and paid my taxes and it's your job to help those who can't to take of theirs. Get on with it.

[JamieMacQ]

Great video!

Too bad not enough people get out and vote to change our circumstances. 3 elections in a row British Columbians keep asking for more punishment!

[rockyMTN57]

Yes, that is the saddest part. And without a good environment, stressed lives at home that find it so difficult to nurture learning and education, it will perpetuate the gulf between rich and poor. Watch for residents of BC to continue to be polarized, to continue to deny, to look away or to look-on as more of us are duped by disingenuous ads and messages which confound and abound at election time.

[JamieMacQ]

Great video!

Too bad not enough people get out and vote to change our circumstances. 3 elections in a row British Columbians keep asking for more punishment!

[mercedeskhan]

Well done; love to get into a few more than a few faces with this one. Consider it right up there in my repertoire. Rated R for relentless!

[jeanwye]

Great job! Yes, let us put the same energy into pushing our Government to help the poor as they have put into...you know...that big party in Feb.

[mcfuller52]

That's a great video - it's also true that BC has the highest rate of poverty amongst seniors. Children and the elderly, two groups that depend the most on (now slashed) social programs that provide a safety net.

[farmoredunsley]

British Columbians are great people and I know we can do better for our most vulnerable citizens. Let's make it so....demand some action.

[isabelydancer00]

TWENTY YEARS ago our government stated that they would tackle and improve the situation of child poverty. NOW the child poverty situation and n is worse off than ever!. I love my county my province - but if we continue to sell off bits and pieces to the highest bidders it won't be OURS for much longer. We put the politicians to office and we need to hold them accountable. Smarten up BC and Canada and take some action! I am in total agreement with famore - we can do much better!

[ProRecreationalist]

20 years ago the Canadian government promised to ELIMINATE child poverty by the year 2000. Stephen Harper broke that promise, and instead, focuses upon mandatory minimum jail sentences, to put more people in jail, in particular, marijuana users. Gordon Campbell broke the promise and focuses, instead, upon the OWE-lympics. Canada has proven that we DO NOT give a s**t about the welfare of our own children.