News
Make Poverty History Manitoba Election Action
Make Poverty History Manitoba has launched a "Vote to Make Poverty History" campaign for their provincial election.
Poverty Elimination Act Re-introduced in House of Commons
On June 20th NDP MP Jean Crowder introduced Bill C-233, An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada – the same as Bill C-545 which had been introduced in June 2010 by defeated NDP MP Tony Martin and which died on the order paper upon the calling of the federal election.
Jean Crowder, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo--Cowichan, is the new NDP critic for Human Resources and Skills Development and the lead for poverty issues. You can read her speech in the House when she introduced the Bill here.
Demand G20 action on food prices to avoid more hunger
One in seven people in the world now go to bed hungry every night. Recent food prices could make the crisis even worse.
There is a crucial meeting of Agricultural Ministers from the G20 countries later this month that could take steps to avoid a disaster.
Please join in supporting an online action sponsored by Oxfam Canada by sending an email to Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, calling on him to show leadership at these meetings, and to push for four key policies:
Federal Budget Fails to Address Poverty
An increase in the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors of up to $600 a year for single seniors and $840 for couples is about the only measure in the federal budget that does anything to reduce poverty. It is only about a third of what is needed to bring all seniors out of poverty. And because it is targeted only to those receiving the maximum GIS amount, it will actually help a relatively small number of people.
There was nothing in this budget to address growing rates of poverty among Aboriginal people, youth and recent immigrants - groups where poverty rates are much higher than among seniors. There was nothing for the one in ten children still living in poverty.
All Parties Except Conservatives Support Make Poverty History Goals
Make Poverty History has lobbied all the political parties to include our goals in their platforms. With the exception of the Conservative Party, our campaigning efforts have succeeded as all of the other major parties’ platforms have endorsed key Make Poverty History goals.
Three out of four parties commit to reduce poverty
Conservatives ignore poverty reduction and inequality
Toronto– Citing the persistence of poverty and growing gap between the rich and poor across Canada, national anti-poverty coalition Campaign 2000 today expressed satisfaction that three out of four parties have committed to a poverty reduction plan.
Reducing poverty and inequality is not just a moral issue, but an essential element in managing the economy. Poverty and inequality drive health care and crime control expenditures, lead to skilled labour shortages through poor educational attainment, and generate social conflict.
Why I'm voting to make poverty history
Ending poverty must be a priority for the next government. While charity may help the poor cope with poverty, government action is needed to eliminate poverty. The best way to make this happen is for voters to make it clear to candidates that they will be voting to make poverty history. On poverty issues, there are clear differences between the do-nothing position of the Conservative Party and the other parties, who have all committed to making poverty history.
I’m voting to make poverty history because I know that given the political will, we have the means to eliminate poverty both in Canada and around the world.
Government “NO” to Federal Action Plan on Poverty Not Acceptable
Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada had its concerns confirmed yet again by the Government of Canada’s response, released this week, to the November 2010 Parliamentary report Federal Poverty Reduction Plan: Working in Partnership Towards Reducing Poverty in Canada.
Budget Choices Must Address Canada’s Social and Fiscal Deficit
by Laurel Rothman, National Coordinator, Campaign 2000 and Board Member of Make Poverty History
As our governments present their budgets in the next few weeks, it is imperative they address the national social deficit that is affecting every Canadian.
The social and fiscal deficits are related. Poverty and inequality are a drag on economic productivity, undermine our democratic systems and generally reduce our national quality of live. The persistently high rate of poverty in Canada and the growing inequality between rich and poor is not only shameful to Canadians, but is unsustainable.
