Envisioning Canada Without Poverty: A CPJ Call to Action

CPJ’s Envisioning Canada Without Poverty campaign has ended. We thank CPJ members and supporters for contacting their MPs and sharing the important message that poverty must be addressed. Thanks to you, the campaign was a success. For new opportunities to get involved in the fight against poverty, check out CPJ’s new campaign: Dignity for All.

Citizens for Public Justice is calling citizens to action on poverty. Help create change for the 3.4 million Canadians who live in poverty by envisioning Canada without poverty.

In 1989, the House of Commons voted unanimously to end child poverty in Canada by 2000. 20 years later, 1 in 10 Canadians still live in poverty. For these Canadians, poverty is about more than lack of income – it is also lack of access to well-being. And that’s not all, poverty undermines the dignity of humans created in the image of God. This is a significant public justice concern.

It’s a concern we can do something about. A comprehensive anti-poverty strategy would make a significant difference in the lives of the millions of poor Canadians. This poverty reduction strategy should include a vision with measurable targets and timelines, an action plan and a budget, mechanisms of accountability and poverty indicators to monitor progress.

How can you be a part of this change?

• Write or visit with your local Member of Parliament and ask for their commitment to work towards a federal poverty reduction strategy announcement in Budget 2009.
• Send CPJ a copy of your letter addressed to the parties and we will present them on your behalf this fall.
• Explore poverty reduction from a faith perspective in your church community.

Together, we can work toward a society in which all people can flourish and fulfill their callings, contributing to the common good: a Canada without poverty.

You can begin by learning more about poverty and how a poverty reduction strategy works here on our website. Then you can share this information with your MP.

For more information, check out the following links: