By The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER, B.C. - A youth advocacy group says B.C.'s child poverty rate remains the highest in Canada for the sixth year in a row and it's time the provincial government took action.

In a report released today, First Call says half a dozen other provinces have committed to reducing child poverty.

The 2009 Child Poverty Report Card says B.C. had 156,000 poor kids in 2007 - and that was during a good year for the economy.

First Call chairwoman Julie Norton says it's 20 years to the day since a unanimous vote in the House of Commons to end child poverty in Canada by 2000, and B.C. must join other provinces in trying to tackle the issue.

She says that in addition to First Call's 92 partner organizations, more than 200 other groups are calling on the B.C. government to come up with a legislated poverty reduction plan that includes the appointment of a cabinet minister committed to the cause.

According to the report, health experts say the stress created by poverty makes it one of the most significant contributors to illness.