Dozens of homeless and anti-poverty activists were out in force last weekend in front of the courthouse for the ninth annual Chili Blanket rally.
Fresh chili, buns and hot chocolate were offered and donated jackets, gloves, hats and blankets were spread out for the less fortunate to pick up at the afternoon event.
The rally included several speakers who pointed out the cracks in the government when it comes to the supporting the homeless.
"Financial assistance in BC is impossible. The government made the bar so high that it makes it look like our numbers are dropping because so few qualify," said key organizer, Jan Mastromatteo.
"The cost of poverty runs between $8.4 to $9.5 billion a year. That includes not just direct costs of people who are poor but also the costs to run the prison system..., poor schooling, poor healthcare and lifelong problems for children growing up in poverty. When you combine those kind of costs in doesn't make sense," she said.
She went on to say that getting more funding to reduce the homeless problem across the country would actually be more cost efficient that what is currently taking place.
"The estimated amount required for poverty reduction would cost somewhere between $3 and $4 billion a year in direct assistance. Some people will require more, but [funding] would result in an extra $5 million a year in income," said Mastrometteo.
One of the speakers estimated there are 400 people who are homeless in Prince George and the face of the homeless has changed.
"We are seeing more and more families and children, and the question is whether shelters are a good place for kids even temporarily. The demographics of the poor are changing drastically," said Mastromatteo.
2011 in the eighth year that B.C. has the highest child poverty rate in the country.
The event was organized by the Northern Women's Forum, a subcommittee of the Active Voice Coalition.
