One in 10 Alberta children live in poverty - 660 News

By Ian Campbell and Tricia Flatley, 660 News RadioPremier Allison Redford’s promise to eliminate childhood poverty by 2017 is being questioned by Public Interest Alberta.A new report by the group shows that promise will not be achieved unless the government takes some real action.The report found more than one in 10 children live in poverty across the provinceOne of the main issues Public Interest Alberta has with the premier’s strategy is that the government has been consulting on this for a year and a half.They believe there has been severe lack of action in that time.Joe Ceci, coordinator with Action to End Poverty in Alberta and a former Calgary city councillor, said the province needs to do more, and can’t afford not to act.“The province could do things like an Alberta child benefit, which is handing out financial support to low income families, so targeting that support where it makes most sense,” said Ceci.The report calls for an aggressive taxation system in Alberta as well as well as age equity and rent control.Read the article at 660 News radio