PHABC’s media advisory on BC Budget 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summary
- PHABC applauds vital investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, safety, environmental health and food security.
- PHABC also supports the Province’s strengthened advancements towards sexual and reproductive health.
- As the secretariat for the BC Chapter of the Coalition for Health School Food, PHABC is thrilled to see $214 million investment to expand school food programs.
- PHABC also applauds the Province’s continued investments in advancing climate resilience, which is also a UN priority.
Victoria, B.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023 –The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) acknowledges that the BC Budget 2023 is a compassionate and dignified response to the immense public health constraints and challenges that British Columbians face.
“We welcome the vital investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, safety, environmental health and food security,” said Shannon Turner, PHABC’s Executive Director. “These are areas of great concern for British Columbians, particularly as we continue to face economic pressures from inflation and housing. We are pleased to share that these areas of interest also reflect PHABC’s core identified priorities.”
PHABC recognizes the urgent need to address and support individuals experiencing challenges regarding shelter, mental health and addictions. Moreover, the budget’s acknowledgement of fiscal concerns experienced by people living with disabilities is an important first step in creating more equitable living conditions.
“We are also highly supportive of the Province’s strengthened focus on reproductive and sexual health,” Turner highlighted. “Preventing unwanted pregnancy should not be dependent on a person’s financial circumstances; access to safe, accessible and equitable contraception is a determinant of sexual health.”
The budget also revealed $214 million over three years to expand existing school food programs and increase capacity to address student hunger.
“As the secretariat for the BC Chapter of in the Coalition for Healthy School Food, we are thrilled to see stable funding for healthy and nourishing school food,” Turner elaborated. “Healthy eating is essential for learning. Food insecurity is an urgent public health challenge, affecting 1.15 million youth in Canada.”
PHABC also applauds the Province’s continued investments in advancing climate resilience, as a healthy environment is essential for public health for all. The UN 2021 report Making Peace with Nature identified climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution as a “triple crisis” that threatens our well-being.
“The increased advancements in wildfire prevention will also ensure improvements in air quality, which is fundamental to protect human health and forestry resources,” said Turner.
PHABC’s mission is to promote health, well-being and equity for all British Columbians through leadership in public health, and we are appreciative of the budget’s clear values in enhancing public health for all.
Shannon Turner
Executive Director
Public Health Association of BC
exec.director@phabc.org
250-595-8422
For more information, please contact:
Selenna Ho
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
communications@phabc.org