West Coast LEAF’s submission re: engagement on BC’s updated Poverty Reduction Strategy - 1. Raise income and disability assistance rates to the poverty line and tie them to costs of living.

Community-based calls to increase rates of financial assistance are supported by numerous expert reports, including the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (the National Inquiry)’s Calls for Justice, the First Nations Leadership Council’s Report on Income Supports and Indigenous Peoples, and the final report of BC’s Basic Income Panel.21 2 2. [...] Prioritize targeted Indigenous Poverty Reduction Measures The conditions of deep poverty experienced by many Indigenous individuals, families, and Nations are a direct result of historic and ongoing colonization, genocide, land dispossession, and forced assimilation policies practiced across the lands called Canada and BC.49 The gendered impacts of colonial dispossession and violence are significa. [...] The same report highlights the need to address stigma and bias in government services and to increase accessible, culturally safe, and in-person services.54 The province has promised to review the report’s recommendations.55 It is now time for substantive action. [...] The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. [...] The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.