B.C. announces $60 million fund to help families with back-to-school costs

The province is looking to ease the burden of back-to-school costs with a one-time $60 million fund which will expand meal programs and help 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.

“This is the first of several measures we will be rolling out in the weeks ahead to help people deal with the cost of living pressures they are experiencing right now,” said Whiteside.

Whiteside notes every school district in British Columbia will receive a minimum of $250,000 each.

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The president of B.C.’s Confederation of Advisory Councils, Chris Schultz-Lorentzen, says the affordability initiative will allow individual schools and school districts to provide relief to families in need.

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