Senate Report Offers Valuable Contribution

[D]espite the thoughtful efforts and many promising practices of governments, the private sector, and community organizations, that are helping many Canadians, the system that is intended to lift people out of poverty is substantially broken, often entraps people in poverty, and needs an overhaul.

It was with these words that Senators Eggleton and Segal presented In from the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness. The December 2009 release of this comprehensive report by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Cities capped off a year that saw some interesting political movement on poverty. The proposals it contains could influence the lives of Canadians for generations.

We applaud this study for the care taken to understand the complexity of poverty and the corresponding responses required. It is striking – and indeed encouraging – to note how consistent the language of the report is with that of CPJ and our colleagues in the anti-poverty community.

In fact, many of the Report’s 74 recommendations respond directly to proposals from CPJ and calls from people living in poverty, service providers, and other social justice organizations. Notably, the federal government should “coordinate a nationwide federal/provincial initiative on early childhood learning;” increase both the National Child Benefit and Working Income Tax Benefit; substantially reform Employment Insurance; “develop a national housing and homelessness strategy;” and, explore the feasibility of a “basic annual income.” These specific recommendations, if acted upon, would produce significant and immediate changes in the lives of people living in poverty.

In from the Margins also aligns quite closely with the Dignity for All campaign in identifying three major considerations – the intent of social welfare programs, the cost of poverty, and a human rights framework – that have the potential to reframe the federal discussion of poverty. It is disappointing, therefore that the report lacks strong and explicit support for a poverty eradication strategy.

The Purpose of Social Policy

The first recommendation of the report is “that programmes dealing with poverty and homelessness are designed to lift Canadians out of poverty rather than make living within poverty more manageable and that the federal government work with the provinces and territories to adopt a similar goal.” By offering critical recognition that poverty can be eliminated and emphasizing the vital importance of a whole-of-government approach – including collaborative action by departments, provinces and territories – this first recommendation sets the tone for the entire report. It could also potentially influence broader consideration of the adequacy, reliability, and effectiveness of social programs.

The Cost of Poverty

As a complement to the moral imperative, the Dignity for All campaign has identified the “cost of poverty” as a convincing lens through which to view poverty from a fresh perspective. Senators too have examined the human, financial, and societal costs of poverty, from negative health impacts and increases in domestic violence, to strains on the health care and criminal justice systems, as well as reduced community cohesiveness and public safety. In his Senate testimony, former CPJ Policy Analyst Greg deGroot-Maggetti, serving as Acting Chairperson of the National Council of Welfare, highlighted that “Poverty does not only cost people who live in it. It also costs us as a society.” The bottom line is that investing in measures that meaningfully address poverty can, in fact, save money.

Freedom from Poverty is a Human Right

“The Committee recommends that the federal government explicitly cite international obligations ratified by Canada in any new federal legislation or legislative amendments relevant to poverty, housing and homelessness.” The right to “food, clothing, housing and medical care” is included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Subsequent International Conventions reiterate these and other economic and social rights. The Government of Canada must be held accountable to the important international standard set by these conventions.

The Importance of a Poverty Elimination Plan

Through Dignity for All, CPJ and our campaign partners are calling for a federal plan for poverty elimination that complements provincial and territorial plans, a federal anti-poverty Act that ensures enduring federal commitment and accountability for results, as well as sufficient federal investment in social security for all Canadians.

While we commend the Senate Subcommittee on Cities for the valuable contribution that this report makes to the national dialogue on poverty, In From the Margins falls short of calling for a federal poverty elimination plan.

The report states that “rather than focus on a broad strategy, this Committee has chosen to focus on the specifics of these [early learning and child care, affordable and accessible housing, employment opportunities and meaningful income supports] and other programs, making both short-term and long-term recommendations to make them more effective instruments of poverty reduction across Canada.”

However, without a comprehensive plan with measurable targets and timelines, a plan of action and budget that cut across and within governments, accountability mechanisms, and agreed-upon indicators, there is serious risk that action on poverty will be approached in a piecemeal fashion – or not at all. Conversely, enshrining the goal of poverty eradication in legislation, along with the strategy by which this would be achieved, would be a more effective step in guaranteeing an ongoing federal role and responsibility for social development, while demonstrating a lasting federal commitment for leadership and for accountability to citizens for results.