VANCOUVER - British Columbia is once again leading the country, but social activists say this time it is nothing to be proud of.

For a sixth straight year the province has the highest child poverty rate.

B.C.'s Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition released its annual report today and say 156 thousand BC children live in poverty.

Public health advocates meeting in Vancouver call the report "an embarrassment" and say to cost to society will be significant if the issue isn't dealt with.

Research shows children living in poverty are more prone to crime, addiction and complicated health problems.
 
The Minister of Children and Family Development is not embarrassed by the numbers.  Mary Polak says child poverty in BC is actually at a 20 year lows.

But critics expect those numbers to rise again given these latest statistics were taken at the end of an economic boom, before mass layoffs and rising unemployment.