B.C. Premier David Eby chose Jinkerson Park in the growing community of Chilliwack on Monday (June 24), to announce a sizable increase to the BC Family Benefit starting next month.
"With global inflation and high interest rates driving up daily costs, we know families are being hit hard right now," said Eby.
The boosted BC Family Benefit will be going to more low- and middle-income families, and on average they'll receive $445 more than last year.
Eby also used the press conference to announce he'll be stepping away for a few weeks from his duties as premier for family reasons.
"Getting a little extra money to families for the basics is one of the ways we're helping people who are feeling squeezed right now," Eby said.
Chilliwack parent Katie Bartel was on-hand with her niece Maggie, to attest to the struggle local families are facing with skyrocketing costs of food, clothes, gas, childcare and housing.
"Life is expensive, especially for those of us raising a child with a disability, and raising any family right now comes with unique challenges," Bartel said.
The extra money will help her family pay for a support worker for her daughter, as an example, and she said families like hers are increasingly looking to their communities and their government for help.
"We can't do this alone," Bartel said.