SURREY –British Columbia’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy was announced, guided by legislation introduced today. Its intention is to lift thousands of people out of poverty, create more opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and make it easier for people to participate in their community.
“The Surrey Board of Trade, nominated by the BC Chamber of Commerce and appointed by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, is the only business association on the BC Poverty Reduction Forum. This stems from our previous leadership-oriented advocacy on poverty reduction from an economic lens,” said Anita Huberman, CEO, Surrey Board of Trade.
“Poverty reduction is economic development. Successful businesses drive growth, create jobs and pay the taxes that finance services and investment. Governments have a role in encouraging responsible investment, and helping markets work better for disadvantaged people. This requires a focus on the long term, to ensure the measures we support now are aligned with the actions.”
The Surrey Board of Trade’s Policy and Research Manager Anne Peterson represents business n at the BC Poverty Reduction Strategy Table.
“I applaud the amazing work done by the forum members so far to outline clearly the challenges of poverty and their recommendations on what needs to be done,” said Anne Peterson. “The real work is about to begin – to turn those recommendations into a workable strategy that will prove to be sustainable over time, and meet realistic goals in the short and long term.”
The Surrey Board of Trade represents over 6,000 business contacts represented by 2,600 business members.
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For more information contact Anita Huberman, CEO, anita@businessinsurrey.com, 604-340-3899.
