Strengthening the call to end poverty

Published in the Catalyst, Vol. 32, No. 1 - Winter 2009

CPJ’s Envisioning Canada Without Poverty campaign, launched in April 2008, contained a call for the 2009 federal budget to include a poverty reduction strategy. But as we saw in late January, there was no such strategy in the budget.

Does this mean our endeavours were unsuccessful?

“Absolutely not,” stated Chandra Pasma, CPJ’s public justice policy analyst. “We’ve gained so much momentum on poverty issues through this campaign. It was a great way to connect with CPJ members across the country – members from over 50 different ridings committed to contacting their MPs. It’s this kind of dialogue we were hoping to inspire, and CPJ members were incredibly successful on this point.”

With letters, emails and phone calls, CPJ members let their MPs know that poverty is an important public justice issue, one that needs to be addressed immediately.

Peter Dale in Toronto wrote to his MP, Bob Rae: “I believe that our governments have a real responsibility to make sure that the least powerful among us are not neglected... If our governments are to fulfill their responsibility to ensure public justice, then well-considered programs must be put in place to assist those who need a hand up.”

Dian and Bill Wesselius wrote to MP Merv Tweed in their riding of Brandon-Souris, Manitoba. “We are writing to you as our elected representative in Ottawa because we are concerned about the level of poverty in Canada,” they wrote.

“When times are bad, we don’t turn away our neighbours or even strangers from the door; we share our supper with them. This tradition of helping those less fortunate than ourselves is part of our community’s tradition and part of our Christian commitment...It’s why we’re asking our government to develop a poverty reduction strategy.”

Letters call for government action

Other letters and emails contained similar sentiments, with CPJ members expressing their deep distress about the 10% poverty rate in Canada, and encouraging their MP to take action and support a federal poverty reduction strategy.

Many letters detailed what such a strategy could look like. Martin Mudde of Ottawa called on his MP, Transport Minister John Baird, to include in a poverty reduction strategy with “a set of agreed upon poverty indicators to plan and monitor progress; a long-term vision with measureable targets and timelines; a plan of action and a budget that coordinates initiatives within and across governments; and accountability structures.”

Thanks to all CPJ members who wrote to their MPs. For the full list of MPs contacted, please visit our website www.cpj.ca.

Staying informed and educated

The Envisioning Canada Without Poverty campaign also mobilized CPJ members and Canadians across the country to learn more about poverty.

Recently, Chandra, along with CPJ staff Joe Gunn, Karri Munn-Venn and Mariel Angus, headed down to southern Ontario to lead three workshops.

“We had over 85 people come out to the workshops,” commented Mariel, CPJ’s policy intern. “Their keen interest in learning about poverty in Canada, as well as what they could do about it, was obvious.”

During the workshops, the CPJ team led participants in discussions about what poverty looks like, the causes of poverty, and how individuals and faith communities could take action.

“Our discussions ranged from talking about people’s lived experiences with poverty to how public policy could be improved,” Karri, CPJ’s socio-economic policy analyst, added. “We were all eager to share, which made for engaging and thought-provoking discussions. It was encouraging to meet so many people deeply concerned about poverty and eager to take action.”

Together with CPJ’s poverty reduction workshops in spring 2008, nearly 300 participants across Canada dialogued, discussed and debated how to address poverty in Canada as part of the campaign. These conversations have since continued, reinforced by individuals advocating to end poverty now.

So while Budget 2009 did not include a poverty reduction strategy, CPJ members and staff are not discouraged. “On the contrary,” said Chandra. “With the conversations we’ve started and the connections we’ve made, we’re now ready to increase the call for a poverty reduction strategy. This call isn’t going anywhere – it’s just going to get stronger.”

Excerpts of letters from CPJ members to their MPs:

"I know you have always had a heart for the poor, [but] the problem seems to be growing rather than decreasing. It is a disgrace that in our affluent country there are so many of our people who are desperately poor." - Robert VanderVennen

"Canada needs to act, quickly and seriously to create a poverty reduction strategy, support the provinces and meet the target it set in 1989 to end child poverty." - Cecily Mills