NANAIMO – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley say that a $125,000 grant in provincial funding to help local government boost supports for vulnerable and low-income people in Nanaimo.

“Poverty has been a huge issue here in Nanaimo, but thanks to TogetherBC, our government’s poverty reduction strategy, provincial rates of poverty are on the decline,” said Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo. “We are funding a made-in Nanaimo response plan, so that people and families can get the help they need.”

“There is no one-size-fits all plan when it come to tackling poverty, that’s why our government is working with all levels of government and community organizations to help get families out of poverty and get their lives back on track,” said Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “This funding will give us the resources to tackle poverty right here at home.”

The MLAs say the grant funding will allow the Regional District of Nanaimo to compile data, develop an engagement strategy, and draft a poverty reduction strategy that is informed by the community and stakeholder engagement.

The local investment is part of the Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program which will empower 54 local governments across the province, through 29 projects, to develop poverty reduction plans that directly support people in their communities.

The 29 projects are receiving a total of $1.4 million, from a $5 million provincial grant to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM), with individual project funding ranging from $16,000 to $150,000. The grant is part of the New Democrat government’s commitment to partner with local governments and communities in poverty reduction initiatives, as part of TogetherBC, B.C.’s first poverty reduction strategy.