Election 2008 Ola! - Week Four

Welcome

Welcome to this special election edition of Ola! While Ola! is usually sent out once per month, during this election campaign, we at CPJ will be sending out weekly editions. These special Ola!s will go in-depth on pressing election topics, giving you comprehensive background information, provoking questions to ask your candidates, and much more.

Be sure to visit our website www.cpj.ca for updates on other public justice issues throughout the campaign! You can also download our election bulletin [PDF 116kB].

Poverty is an issue

With more than 3.3 million people living in poverty in Canada, we see the face of poverty every day. Organizations throughout the country working in the fight against poverty agree that it is a critical issue that needs to be addressed with a federal poverty reduction strategy. It is good news that four of the five major political parties have addressed poverty among their priorities in the current election campaign. We encourage you to engage your local candidates, ask them to share their vision for Canada, and remind them that poverty is an issue. Read more...

A Just Economy in Troubling Times

Recent events have made the economy a significant issue. How our leaders will handle the economy is an important issue for all Canadians, but especially low income Canadians who could suffer most from an economic downturn. As Canadian citizens, we should be actively engaged in ensuring that the economy and its impact on all Canadians is addressed by our government representatives. It is crucial to know that the leaders we elect have a plan to protect the impoverished and those who are most vulnerable. Read more...

Debate on Poverty and Inequality

CPJ is a member of the core organizing committee that has mobilized over 30 national and local social justice organizations in support of a Five-Party Debate on Poverty and Inequality. The debate will take place on Monday, October 6 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Dominion Chalmers United Church in Ottawa (on Cooper at O’Connor). Representatives of Canada’s five major political parties – the Conservatives, the Liberals, the NDP, the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party – have been invited. Everyone in the Ottawa area is invited to attend.

Organizations across the country are organizing similar debates locally and regionally. CPJ encourages all of its members and supporters to find and attend a debate on poverty and other social issues in your area.

CPJ’s pre-budget brief to the Standing Committee on Finance

20 years ago, the House of Commons passed an all-party resolution to end child poverty in Canada by 2000. As we approach the 20th anniversary, Budget 2009 should make good on that promise. CPJ’s pre-budget brief to the Standing Committee on Finance before the election was called captured this sentiment, urging the government to commit to a Canada without poverty by implementing a national poverty reduction strategy.

From Promise to Action: CPJ’s brief to the Human Rights Council’s Review of Canada

The UN’s Universal Periodic Review will be considering Canada’s record on human rights commitments in February, 2009. CPJ submitted a brief to the UPR as part of this review process, highlighting Canada’s record on poverty and suggesting a poverty reduction strategy as a best practice that would take effective action on poverty.

Fighting poverty with policy: MPs share party visions with CPJ

CPJ’s policy staff met with MPs across the political spectrum about poverty reduction strategies in January 2008, and it was clear from each MP we talked to that without genuine policy commitments, poverty levels in Canada won’t be impacted. In this article, CPJ policy analyst Chandra Pasma goes into detail about these meetings, describing various policy initiatives and strategies that could reduce poverty across Canada.

Housing insecurity: the face of poverty

Today, the visible signs of housing insecurity across Canada are part of a bigger picture of the impact of poverty. The reality is that poverty creates social exclusion and inequality by denying people access to affordable and adequate housing and to full participation in the economy and society. In order to ensure housing for all Canadians, the government needs to address poverty and income security as part of a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy. Read more...

Investing in well-being: A guaranteed livable income for Canada

Income security affects many Canadians, but our current social assistance and income security programs aren’t having a major impact. Neither work nor social programs ensure that all Canadians have enough income to meet their basic needs. CPJ believes that it’s time to consider a guaranteed livable income for all Canadians. Investing in well-being is well worth the effort. Read more...

Public justice questions on poverty and inequality

• Do you support adopting a federal strategy to end poverty in Canada that commits the government to achieving a specific, measurable target for poverty reduction supported by a budget and mechanisms of accountability?
• What actions will your party take to ensure a living wage for all workers in Canada?
• What will your party do to ensure that every Canadian has access to affordable housing?

Links for more information

• Envisioning Canada Without Poverty
• Canadian Council on Social Development

Election Links

No one organization has expertise in all issues, so to appreciate what other groups are suggesting Canadians consider during this election, please visit the links on our election site.

Party websites

Looking for party websites? Want to explore party platforms on the environment and the economy? Looking for more information on policy announcements? Links to the websites of all of the parties hoping to run at least 50 candidates in this election can be found in our Canadian Elections section.

For all at CPJ, Karri Munn-Venn. Visit our website www.cpj.ca for an in-depth look at other issues, complete with provoking questions to ask your candidates. Let us know what you think of our mini election Ola!s by emailing us at cpj@cpj.ca – we’ll return to our regular Ola! schedule after the election wraps up.