Prince George is one of seven communities in B.C. which will be developing a community-based plan to tackle poverty.
Minister of Children and Family Development Mary McNeil announced the pilot project in Prince George on Thursday. Under the program, a consultant and provincial steering committee will work with local committees to develop local action plans over the summer.
Consultation with the public, low-income families, service providers and other stakeholders will be conducted through the planning process.
Implementation of the plans will begin in September.
"Every family is different and every community is different. Not only are we not going to have a one-size-fits-all approach, we're going to have seven different projects," McNeil said. "Each community will have measurable targets and be expected to report out. We're going to make a difference, and do it one community at a time."
The model of developing local-specific poverty reduction strategies has been successful in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, she said.
McNeil said she expects the plans will involved local and provincial government agencies, as well as local service organizations.
"Poverty is a big issue. We, as government, can't do it alone," McNeil said. "There is a lot of great work going on out there. We have to do a better job of talking to each other and collaborating."
Once the plans are developed, the province will consider funding specific initiatives, McNeil said. However, the plan is to find efficiencies by reducing duplication of services, she said.
If there needs to be changes to the way provincial services are delivered to serve community needs better, that is also up for consideration, McNeil said.
"If there is a better way to do it, let's do it," she said.
Social Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux, whose ministry delivers the majority of provincial income assistance and employment services, said her ministry is prepared to respond to the local action plans once they're developed.
"We're as anxious to see the results and anyone," Cadieux said. "[But] we have to do this is a way that is financially sustainable."
Mayor Shari Green said as soon as she was approached by city councillor and Union of B.C. Municipalities director Murry Krause about participating, she was in favour of it.
"This is something that effects everyone in the community," Green said. "For a number of reasons the city is well-positioned to participate. When key players each bring something to the table, great things happen."
Also partnering in the development of the plan are the United Way of Northern B.C. and Prince George Chamber of Commerce.
United Way executive director Trevor Williams said the non-profit agency has recognized the need for a long-term, strategic plan to address poverty for many years.
"There are lots of family that struggle every day, making critical decisions on whether to buy food, pay the rent [or] pay the Hydro bill. Very little has to change for many of us to fall in to poverty," Williams said. "This is my commitment to you: the United Way is in. We'll provide support, people power. We'll certainly bring funding to the table."
The other communities in B.C. taking part in the program are Cranbrook, Port Hardy, Surrey, New Westminster, Stewart and Kamloops.
