Unaffordability skyrockets as British Columbians say they are worse off than ever before

British Columbians are struggling to keep up with the cost of living, as a new poll from Angus Reid reports that more than half the population feels worse off financially today compared to a year ago. Adding to these concerns, a new report from Statistics Canada shows that in February 2023, B.C. was the only province where inflation failed to cool down, marking the eighth consecutive month that the province’s inflation rate has outpaced the national average.

“Today’s inflation numbers are just confirming what most British Columbians have been feeling in their wallets for months. It’s all well and good to make announcements and promises, but at the end of the day, results are what matter” said MLA Trevor Halford, Shadow Minister for Affordability. “Families should be able to afford necessities like chicken and eggs, but the cost of food has risen by 10 per cent over last year making it more difficult than ever to make ends meet. Cost-of-living is the number one issue for families right now”

Statistics Canada recently reported that B.C. was the only province in Canada to maintain elevating inflation in February 2023, with the cost of some essential foods rising by almost 20 per cent, including butter (+19%), chicken (+18%) and fresh vegetables (+14%).

Sidhu said, “Being raised in Mission, I wrote the Broken Turban as a dedication to my older cousin. A story about the hardships and struggles of first generation Sikhs and their challenges adapting into a new country.”

Pink Shirt Day 2023 was another successful event in February hosted by Mike Bismeyer and Abbotsford School Trustee, Rupi Rajwan from #comeinspirekindnes partner led with the team at BRGR BRGR raising $500 in 4 hours that was donated to the Pink Shirt Foundation. Bismeyer and Rajwan often partner with local businesses to commit Random Acts of Kindness, promoting change. “It’s always amazing to see how excited and energized folks get when helping with a great cause like this” said Bismeyer.

Happening in May, from the 15th through the 22nd, Cycling4Diversity/ Spinning4Diversity will be celebrating its 12th year with C4D/S4D week from the 15th to the 22nd discussing issues of diversity and where we can be more inclusive through an open dialogue via social media. The transition from cycling to spinning has been very successful and much more easier to organize. The team, pre-Covid, cycled across the Lower Mainland visiting near 100 schools for over a decade, which took months and months of organizing where as hosting a spinning event for a few hours a day, during the week, is much easier to put together in a shorter period of time and will have more people participate.if you’d to participate, please contact: spinning4diversity@ gmail.com