B.C. introduces legislation to reduce poverty rate [Video]

David Kennedy says his recent retirement came as a lifestyle shock, especially financially.

The 67-year-old Nanaimo, B.C., man said he faced housing difficulties after retirement, and with the high cost of food and fuel, every month is financially challenging.

The B.C. government introduced legislation Tuesday setting 10-year targets to substantially reduce poverty in the province, focusing on children, while also making a first-time commitment to cut seniors’ poverty by 50 per cent.

The legislation would change three laws to set higher targets to cut poverty, ease employment requirements for people on income and disability assistance and provide more supports for people, said Sheila Malcolmson, social development and poverty reduction minister.

The amending legislation commits B.C. to cut the overall poverty by 60 per cent over the next decade, including reducing child poverty by 75 per cent and seniors’ poverty by 50 per cent.

Kennedy said he backs any government change …