The Dish on Dignity: Breaking down barriers and building understanding

What is the face of poverty where you live? Is it evident in your community and on the streets? Or perhaps it is invisible, hidden inside small apartments and at early morning breakfast programs. Maybe you are the face of poverty, stuck on the edge, struggling to make ends meet and to do well by your children. Or perhaps you are increasingly aware of your own vulnerability.

Some Canadians tend to respond to poverty – and people living in poverty – in simplistic terms: if he would just get a job. If only she had taken more care not to get pregnant. If he can afford a pack of smokes, why can’t he put food on the table? It was her choice… Bottom line: they should take responsibility for the poor decisions they’ve made.

Unfortunately, these simple responses fail to take into account the many complicating factors involved.

Poverty is complex. It can be the result of ill health, the loss of a loved one, unemployment, or being a newcomer to Canada. The impacts it has on people are as varied as the people themselves – loss of livelihood, poor performance in school, anxiety, loneliness, or constraints on family and leisure time. As a complex problem, poverty requires a multi-faceted response. And developing this comprehensive response requires understanding.

Building a shared understanding was an important focus of an event that recently took place in Ottawa. “The Dish on Dignity: A Discussion about Eradicating Poverty in Canada” brought together low-income citizens, politicians, and social justice representatives for an evening of conversation. The basement at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was packed to capacity and the discussion lively, as people living in poverty met directly with the 27 Members of Parliament, Senators, and federal candidates.

Guest speakers Alex Neve (Amnesty International Canada), Joan Jessome (Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union), and Conservative MP Dean Allison (Chair of the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities-HUMA) set the tone for the evening. Mr. Neve stressed the need to apply international human rights standards – particularly social and economic rights – in Canada. Ms. Jessome told her own life story, highlighting the value of social programs that empower people living in poverty to move beyond their current situation. And Mr. Allison emphasized the importance of dialogue and understanding between those living on the margins and those with the power to make a difference.

Together, these presentations spoke to the government’s obligation and ability to lift people out of poverty, as well as the importance of making decisions based on a solid understanding of poverty’s many facets.

Mr. Allison spoke about the tremendous learning opportunity that was provided by the HUMA Committee hearings on poverty, describing his face-to-face meetings with people as an eye opening experience. Before joining HUMA, he said, he did not realize the full complexity of the issues, realities and hardships for Canadians living in poverty.

In their brief remarks MPs Mike Savage (Liberal), Yves Lessard (Bloc), Tony Martin (NDP), and Green Party candidate and Critic on Poverty Elimination, Rebecca Harrison echoed Mr. Allison’s conciliatory tone. They emphasized the importance of becoming more informed, continuing the dialogue with Canadians at venues such as this, and recognizing the real potential to change not only the conversation about poverty in Canada but also the reality.

One of the most important features of the Dish on Dignity was the opportunity for dialogue. Sitting down together as equals around a table – with no media or formal political agenda, people who have experienced poverty first-hand, social justice advocates, and parliamentarians listened and learned from each other.

The dialogue also afforded low-income citizens the rare opportunity to ask pointed questions of the parliamentarians. Many asked why action had not been taken, or what political parties or politicians intended to do to address the issues of poverty.

Coupled with these questions, participants called on the parliamentarians at their tables to take these questions and concerns back to their party caucus and committee meetings. If, as several MPs proclaimed at this event, parliamentarians are genuinely trying to make a difference and represent the best interests of society, it is essential that they listen to Canadians. And, they must present specific requests and concerns to their colleagues. It is also essential that together, parliamentarians from all parties take action to eliminate poverty in Canada.

The Dish on Dignity was a fantastic success. By enabling connections and breaking down barriers between parliamentarians and Canadians living in poverty, it provided an important moment for all involved to better understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and to rally around a common cause.

The Dish on Dignity was coordinated by Dignity for All: the Campaign for a Poverty-Free Canada, and hosted by Canada Without Poverty and Citizens for Public Justice.