My answer was true, but I nonetheless wondered later if I had in fact given the right answer. The reporter’s question assumed that economic growth was so important that we should do anything to achieve it – even lose valuable public services for the sake of cutting taxes if tax cuts were necessary to stimulate growth. My answer to him accepted this assumption. Read more »
By Chandra Pasma | Friday, May 27th, 2011 - 3:46PM
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Earlier this year, Senator Hugh Segal published a great op-ed in the Toronto Star calling for those concerned about crime to get tough on poverty. “Less than 10 per cent of Canadians live beneath the poverty line but almost 100 per cent of our prison inmates come from that 10 per cent. There is no political ideology, on the right or left, that would make the case that people living in poverty belong in jail,” the Senator argued. “To be tough on crime means we must first be tough on the causes of poverty,” he concludes.
Segal argues for a Guaranteed Annual Income, also known as a Guaranteed Livable Income, noting that it would take only $12,000-$20,000 annually to bring a person above the poverty line but we spend $147,000 a year per federal prisoner. Read more »
It was with great anticipation and cautious hopefulness that we awaited the Government of Canada response to In from the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness. Action on the 74 recommendations it contains could have had a profound impact on the lives of Canadians living in poverty. The Senate has challenged our government to assume its responsibility to care for its citizens, to respect international human rights commitments, and to invest our collective resources conscientiously. Sadly, the government’s response illustrates a disappointing unwillingness to constructively assume this responsibility. Read more »
It’s hard to believe that my year at CPJ is coming to an end! It has been a busy year at CPJ with many events, meetings, paper launches, conferences and much more. I want to take a moment to reflect back on the past year, especially some of the highlights. Read more »
A short but fractious parliamentary session ended last week. Rancorous in tone and highlighted by disputes over the democratic rights of Parliament and its committees, the session produced little legislative achievements. However, two examples demonstrate that Canada’s political parties are capable of cooperating effectively when they choose to. A collaborative, consultative approach by parties willing to compromise for the sake of the common good would benefit all Canadians and promote a more vibrant, engaged democracy. The choice is up to parliamentarians themselves. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Thursday, April 29th, 2010 - 1:22PM
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UPDATE:
The Senate report, In from the Margins, passed in the Senate last week! This means that the government has to respond within 150 days to the over 70 recommendations made by the Subcommittee on Cities.
But it is still important to contact our Members of Parliament and Senators about the importance of taking strong action to eliminate poverty in Canada, for the sake of dignity for all Canadians, and for the sake of our economy. See the Parliamentary website for a list of current MPs, and please continue to use the Talking Points below to get the message through to your MP. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Thursday, February 4th, 2010 - 3:51PM
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As I approach the half-way point in my internship with CPJ I would like to reflect on the last five months. The activities in which I have been involved have been very helpful in terms of my own personal and professional development, and many have been helpful in promoting CPJ’s work in a variety of areas. Most of my work can be divided into the following categories: office collaboration, research, website content and connections. Read more »
In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness, a comprehensive report by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Cities, was released in December 2009. The proposals it contains could influence the lives of Canadians for generations.
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. It also aligns closely with the Dignity for All campaign but lacks strong and explicit support for a poverty eradication strategy. Read more »
By Chandra Pasma | Friday, March 13th, 2009 - 2:56PM
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The House of Commons gave unanimous consent Wednesday to a motion calling on the government to “do everything possible to ensure” that the G8 and G20 address poverty. The G20 will be meeting early next month in London, England, while the G8 will meet this July in La Maddelena, Italy. Read more »
By Chandra Pasma | Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 - 4:46PM
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Last weekend I was in New York to attend the 2009 Congress of the US Basic Income Guarantee Network. USBIG is the American equivalent of the new Canadian group BIEN Canada.
The conference provided a stimulating weekend of learning, dialoguing and sharing inspiration about guaranteed livable income (GLI). Canadians were well represented, as Conservative Senator Hugh Segal gave the opening address and New Democratic Member of Parliament Tony Martin was one of the closing speakers. Read more »
It was with great anticipation and cautious hopefulness that we awaited the Government of Canada response to In from the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness. Action on the 74 recommendations it contains could have had a profound impact on the lives of Canadians living in poverty. The Senate has challenged our government to assume its responsibility to care for its citizens, to respect international human rights commitments, and to invest our collective resources conscientiously. Sadly, the government’s response illustrates a disappointing unwillingness to constructively assume this responsibility. 
It’s hard to believe that my year at CPJ is coming to an end! It has been a busy year at CPJ with many events, meetings, paper launches, conferences and much more. I want to take a moment to reflect back on the past year, especially some of the highlights. 
A short but fractious parliamentary session ended last week. Rancorous in tone and highlighted by disputes over the democratic rights of Parliament and its committees, the session produced little legislative achievements. However, two examples demonstrate that Canada’s political parties are capable of cooperating effectively when they choose to. A collaborative, consultative approach by parties willing to compromise for the sake of the common good would benefit all Canadians and promote a more vibrant, engaged democracy. The choice is up to parliamentarians themselves. 
In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness, a comprehensive report by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Cities, was released in December 2009. The proposals it contains could influence the lives of Canadians for generations.
