$60M back-to-school fund for B.C. families

BURNABY, B.C. - British Columbia is looking to ease the burden of back-to-school costs with a one-time $60-million fund that expands meal programs and helps families pay for supplies and field trips.

Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says families are already struggling with rising costs due to inflation and the government's fund aims to take the sting out of costs associated with the return to school next month.

Whiteside says every school district in the province will receive a minimum of $250,000.

Exciting to be in @burnabyschools this morning to announce one-time funding of $60 million to school districts to help ensure students are fed and have school supplies.
This funding will help minimize the cost of out-of-pocket purchases and expenses for families who need it most. pic.twitter.com/Cbs3OYwt23

— Jennifer Whiteside (@JM_Whiteside) August 29, 2022

The president of B.C.'s Confederation of Advisory Councils says the affordability initiative will allow individual schools and school districts to provide relief to families in need.

Chris Schultz-Lorentzen says families will be encouraged to reach out to their advisory councils and school principals to get a share of the funding.

Whiteside says the fund is one of a number of measures the government will deliver in the coming days to help people hardest hit by inflation.