One in five children in New Brunswick is growing up in poverty but provincial Green Party leader David Coon points out this figure rises to 45 per cent in Saint John Harbour and 34 per cent in Campbellton.
Coon says not dealing with reducing poverty is costing New Brunswick taxpayers big time with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimating the cost of poverty in New Brunswick amounts to $2 billion a year.
Coon also points out there are long term implications of poverty with Child and Youth Advocate Norm Bosse saying children growing up in poverty face difficulties with their physical and mental health, relationships with others and attaining sufficient education qualifications.
