On February 14, CPJ and the Dignity for All campaign for a poverty-free Canada are hosting "What’s Next: How do we Address Poverty in Canada?” in Ottawa. The event will feature a panel discussion and Q & A session with MPs, social policy & advocacy groups, and members of the public, including those living in poverty, with an aim to promote non-partisan dialogue and to identify concrete and achievable goals for reducing poverty in Canada. Read more »
Eleven years past the federal government's deadline of eradicating child poverty by the year 2000, 1 in 10 children continue to live in poverty. Why hasn't more progress been made? Read more »
October 17th marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Here in Canada, countless reports, resolutions and commitments have been made over the years about ending poverty, yet the problem persists. What sort of action is needed? Perhaps it's time to re-think our approach... Read more »
By Chandra Pasma | Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 - 8:00AM
1 comment
The recession of 2008-2009 hit fast and furiously, with a steep decline in Gross Domestic Product and employment. Since then, both indicators have recovered well, leading some to trumpet Canada’s quick recovery from the recession. But other indicators, such as social assistance caseloads, have not seen the same strong recovery. And still other indicators, while on their way back to pre-recession levels, still reveal worrisome trends.
We know that the recession significantly increased Canada’s poverty levels. But do Canada’s poor now risk being permanently left behind? Our survey of the economic indicators over the past several weeks suggests that the answer is yes. Read more »
CPJ believes that vigorous and sustained action by the federal government is necessary to combat poverty in Canada. Through the Dignity for All campaign, we’ve called 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 and sufficient federal investment in social security for all Canadians. In this look at the party platforms, we look at what the political parties are offering to do on poverty if they form the next government. Read more »
All Canadians need to be concerned about poverty and inequality, for it affects us all. All of society benefits when policies and programs are put in place to reduce the impact of poverty and improve levels of income equality.
There is growing momentum across the country among citizens, civil society organizations and provincial governments to reduce and eventually eliminate poverty. But despite calls for federal support, the federal government hasn’t gotten involved. Let’s tell our candidates it’s time for action: poverty can be eliminated and our vision of a just and caring society can be realized. Read more »
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said “Leadership is about finding a balance between needs,” but unfortunately he delivered a budget that ignored the needs of Canadians. Budget 2011 revealed that the government’s priorities are vastly different than the priorities of Canadians. While Canadians want and need a response to social and environmental deficits, Budget 2011 offered a jobs-based approach to economic recovery, a few social policy crumbs, and more “boutique taxes.” Budget 2011 was rich in rhetoric and poor in action, proposing tinkering rather than real change. Read more »
Interfaith Leaders and representatives of their respective faith communities gathered in Ottawa this week for the “Interfaith Forum on Faith and Poverty” which CPJ helped to organize. The leaders of various Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Baha’i and Jewish traditions showed a tremendous sense of timing. Their meeting took place on Parliament Hill immediately on the heels of the disheartening government response to the Parliamentary Committee report, Federal Poverty Reduction Plan (see CPJ’s reaction) and just weeks before a likely federal election call. Read more »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Ottawa, ON: This afternoon, the federal government released its response to the Parliamentary report Federal Poverty Reduction Plan: Working in Partnership Towards Reducing Poverty in Canada. And with it, Citizens for Public Justice’s hope for Ottawa to meaningfully engage in poverty reduction efforts evaporated. Read more »
By Jenny Prosser | Wednesday, February 16th, 2011 - 7:39AM
0 comments
It has been over twenty years since Canadian parliamentarians first agreed that something needed to be done about child poverty in this country. They have passed resolutions, they have done studies, they have released reports, they have introduced (and cut back or cancelled) various social policies and yet the problem persists. Indeed, it can seem an insurmountable problem. Read more »
On February 14, CPJ and the Dignity for All campaign for a poverty-free Canada are hosting "What’s Next: How do we Address Poverty in Canada?” in Ottawa. The event will feature a panel discussion and Q & A session with MPs, social policy & advocacy groups, and members of the public, including those living in poverty, with an aim to promote non-partisan dialogue and to identify concrete and achievable goals for reducing poverty in Canada. 
Eleven years past the federal government's deadline of eradicating child poverty by the year 2000, 1 in 10 children continue to live in poverty. Why hasn't more progress been made? 
October 17th marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Here in Canada, countless reports, resolutions and commitments have been made over the years about ending poverty, yet the problem persists. What sort of action is needed? Perhaps it's time to re-think our approach... 
CPJ believes that vigorous and sustained action by the federal government is necessary to combat poverty in Canada. Through the Dignity for All campaign, we’ve called 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 and sufficient federal investment in social security for all Canadians. In this look at the party platforms, we look at what the political parties are offering to do on poverty if they form the next government. 
