It's doesn't shock anyone in Saint John to hear there are poor kids in poor families but, it might shock you to hear 34 per cent of children under the age of 6 are living in poverty. That stat is the finding of the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative who support more early learning centres in Saint John.
Human Development Council Executive Director Randy Hatfield tells CHSJ News the province and others believe the best way out of poverty is by having a job.
He says that calls for economic development within the province but it also means people need the appropraite skills to enter the labour force so it all comes back to education eventually.
Hatfield adds there is overwhelming evidence that the early years are the most important when it comes to education.
He says almost pre-natal interventions are required for making sure kids are in warm safe homes and that parents have jobs to provide nutritious food.