Ontario’s strategy is unique in the sense that its specific goals and targets are focused on one particular area- to reduce child poverty by 25% in 5 years. As a result much of the plan’s focus is on child-tax benefits, child care, early childhood education, and training for children and youth. Education and support for children is seen as a key element to breaking the cycle of poverty. 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 Chandra Pasma | Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 - 3:16PM
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A Private Member’s bill mandating the creation of a federal poverty elimination strategy was tabled this afternoon in the House of Commons. The bill was presented by Tony Martin of the New Democratic Party and seconded by Mike Savage of the Liberal Party and Yves Lessard of the Bloc Québécois.
Bill C-545 directs the federal government to consultatively develop a federal poverty elimination strategy, creates a new, independent Poverty Commissioner to monitor progress of the strategy, and provides a stronger advisory role for the National Council of Welfare, to be renamed the National Council of Poverty and Social Inclusion. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 - 10:06AM
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Yesterday CPJ launched a new research paper, Bearing the Brunt: How the 2008-2009 Recession Created Poverty for Canadian Families, on Parliament Hill. This paper looks rising economic insecurity and indicators of poverty including Employment Insurance, social assistance, costs of living and food bank usage caused by the latest recession.
By Rebekah Sears | Thursday, April 15th, 2010 - 9:49AM
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This week Joe, Karri and I attended the Parliament Hill launch of “Poor No More,” the documentary film hosted by Canadian television and film star, Mary Walsh. The film is aimed at exposing the challenges of the working poor in Canada and offering viable government solutions.
A common misconception among Canadians is that if people would just get a job and work hard, they won’t be living in poverty. But this is not the case. As the film illustrates, many low income Canadians are working for companies that pay very low wages, often keeping employees’ hour just below the full-time threshold, even after years of service to the company, where they receive little or no benefits, such as health and dental coverage, and sick or vacation days. Read more »
By Rebekah Sears | Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 - 1:56PM
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Check out the photos from the Dish on Dignity, an event hosted by Citizens for Public Justice,Canada Without Poverty and the Dignity for All Campaign. The Dish on Dignity brought together parliamentarians, social justice advocates and low income folks for a conversation about the reality of poverty in Canada and ways to eliminate it. 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 »
It can be easy to get discouraged. We’re being governed by a precarious minority parliament, the economy is still in the tank, and despite a 20-year-old commitment to change, almost one child out of every 10 still lives in poverty in Canada today. All that, and the short, dark days of winter are upon us.
Still, there are reasons to be hopeful. Over the last few weeks we have witnessed a steady stream of small successes that encourage the belief that change is possible. 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 »
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. 
