By Colin Hughes, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, December 2009.

It was a special anniversary on a typical grey 24th day of November as we set up, with
the help of some men who are homeless, for a Community Dinner for families and
children who use the food bank and children’s services at Agincourt Community Service
Association (ACSA) in Scarborough.

Co-sponsored by ACSA, the Scarborough Anti-Poverty Coalition and assisted by the Children’s
Aid Foundation, the small event commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 1989 promise to endchild poverty in Canada. And after twenty very long years, just how far we had come was on everyone’s mind.

At the grassroots level you don’t have to look far to see poverty in urban Canada. Hunger in
homes and schools. Homelessness on the street. Daily struggles to barely get by. Shut out of
community life. The indignity. The injustice.

How far have we come? Poverty rates are about the same now as they were 20 years ago in Canada and Ontario. But the rates in Toronto and the GTA are higher.

Our community guests spoke on poverty as a structural, not a personal, failing. About not having enough money to make ends meet on the basics. About how critical federal and provincial action is on child benefits, child care, income security and housing. About the dignity of good jobs. And about compassion and care in our communities.

 

Areas of development were also discussed, such as: the doubling of child income benefits over the past decade; Ontario’s commitment to reduce child poverty by 25%; and, the recent House of Commons resolution to eliminate poverty for all.

How far have we come? Not far enough. But commemorations are about respect – and respecting an end to poverty is a promise Canada can’t afford to break.

Nov. 24th 2009 marked 20 years since the House of Commons unanimously voted to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. Over two decades, the rate of child and family poverty has gone down slightly, despite unprecedented growth since 1998. Because the current figures do not reflect the impact of the 2008-2009 recession, Campaign 2000’s Steering Committee conceived of an alarm clock theme for its National Report Card and placards to alert the federal government that “It’s alarming… No progress since 1989!” on the all-party resolution. In 2009, one in ten Canadian children live in poverty – the figure rises to one in four children in First Nations communities. It’s time that the federal government take action on child and family poverty, or it risks seeing more Canadians fall into poverty as the recession moves into recovery.

 

Breakfast for MPs, Senators and Community Partners

Campaign 2000’s Day of Action kicked off at 7:30 AM with a school program style breakfast in the West Block. Forty-five Members of Parliament and 15 Ottawa youth were present, in addition to other community and national stakeholders. While we breakfasted on apples and muffins, we were treated to a presentation and conversation led by our expert panel: Campaign 2000 Steering Committee Member Simon Rosenblum; Former federal NDP leader Hon. Ed Broadbent; President and CEO of the Conference Board in Canada Anne Golden; President of the Canadian Council on Social Development Peggy Taillon; Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo; Marie-Josée Cleroux of the Youth Advisory Group, Ottawa Youth Services Bureau; and Laurel Rothman.

It was both thrilling and humbling to be in the presence of such inspiring anti-poverty activists, from those who have been involved with Campaign 2000 since 1989 to those like myself who are new to advocacy and action research.

Campaign 2000 is grateful to the panel speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences – this dialogue is an essential step in realizing our goal of a poverty free Canada.

Rally

The breakfast was followed by a brief but rousing rally at the Centennial Flame. With the help of placards, sashes, banners and a megaphone Campaign 2000, Make Poverty History and Dignity for All joined our community partners in demanding that the federal government take action to eradicate child poverty in Canada.

Rally participants were offered “air time” with the megaphone if they wished – an opportunity eagerly taken up by community and local partners.

Press Conference

The 2009 National Report Card on Child and Family Poverty was officially released at a press conference at Parliament. Speakers at the press conference included National Coordinator for Campaign 2000 Laurel Rothman, Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo, former federal NDP leader Hon. Ed Broadbent, and the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg’s Sid Frankel. Mike Savage (Lib), Olivia Chow (NDP) and Josée Beaudin (Bloc) responded to Campaign 2000’s offer for all federal party leaders to comment on the report card.

House of Commons Debate

The most exciting, historic moments of the Day of Action took place in the House of Commons. During the morning’s Routine Proceedings, Tony Martin (NDP) moved to adopt the motion authored by Campaign 2000’s Steering Committee with the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) Committee. Raymonde Folco (Bloc) seconded the motion and it was adopted.

During the Statements from Members period, Mike Savage (Lib) reminded the House of its failure to act on the 1989 motion and emphasized that poverty could be reduced significantly if the National Child Benefit and the Guaranteed Income Supplement were made more robust. When Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley (Con) informed the House that “the child poverty rate is half what it was under the Liberals” Mike Savage (Lib) declared this statistic is an absolute lie.

Jack Layton (NDP) questioned the governing Conservative Party during Question Period, asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Con) to tell us if he is committed to eradicating child poverty. Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Con) responded that his government has taken steps towards this goal and that support is needed from the opposition if more progress is to be made.

Campaign 2000 was named by both Mike Savage (Lib) and Jack Layton (NDP) in the House. For those who are interested, Campaign 2000 has a copy of the Nov. 24th Hansard Debates, excerpted to highlight the child poverty discussion in the House. For copies please contact Liyu Guo (liyugu@familyservicetoronto.org).

Campaign 2000 and Partners Select Publications and Links
2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada: Keep the Promise: Make Canada Poverty-Free.
2009 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Ontario: From Promise to Reality: Recession Proofing Ontario Families.
Campaign 2000
Make Poverty History
Dignity for All
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
Childcare Resource and Research Unit
The Globe and Mail. How to End Child Poverty: Tax the Rich. Editorial by Hon. Ed Broadbent, November 24, 2009.
The Toronto Star. Give native kids a chance to shine. Editorial, November 24, 2009.
CBC News. Manitoba named child poverty capital. November 24, 2009.
National Post. Laurel Rothman article.

July 28^th, 2009

  

By Laurel Rothman and Trish Hennessy

 

Canada has been plunged into a worldwide recession that is harsher than any economic downturn since the Great Depression. Now, more than ever, citizens are counting on their governments for vision, compassion, and leadership.

 

This week’s upcoming Premiers’ talks create a vital opening to start now on an economic recovery plan that reduces poverty, prevents more Canadians from falling into poverty, and puts all of Canada’s provincial economies back on steady footing.

 

The recession hit Canada last October, and since then, about 370,000 Canadians have been thrown out of work. But the federal Employment Insurance (EI) program isn’t there for half (52%) of the nation’s unemployed.

 

As Premiers, the fallout from this recession is landing squarely on their shoulders. Without an adequate EI program, Canada’s unemployed will be turning to social assistance, food banks, homeless shelters, and other provincially funded programs. Provincial poverty rates are bound to soar – with dizzying speed in some regions.

 

For too long, there has been a leadership void at the federal level. We urge Canada’s Premiers and Prime Minister to do everything it takes to bring the federal government to the table, and to act in a cooperative, coordinated way to address poverty before the situation gets worse. According to an Environics poll, 89% of Canadians say the Prime Minister and the provincial Premiers need to set concrete goals and timelines to reduce poverty.

 

Four out of 10 children living in poverty have at least one parent working full time. Unfortunately, there are few income supports for that family when the parent loses a job or cannot find work. In the 1980s and 1990s recessions, there were more and better supports. Employment Insurance and provincial social assistance programs were available and accessible. Not so today. Nine months into recession, Canada is still not recession-ready. An immediate increase to social assistance rates and a relaxation of the rules on asset limits would help many families gain economic independence.

 

The burden will fall on Canada’s Premiers to deal with the aftermath. Some are implementing poverty reduction strategies in their province. Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba — representing more than two-thirds of Canada’s population — are planning or implementing poverty reduction strategies.  This leadership is welcome but it is still not visionary enough to ensure Canada is positioned for a return to prosperity post-recession.

 

Most Canadians agree: the persistence of child and family poverty is unacceptable.  An Environics poll reveals 90% of Canadians say they would be proud if their Premier took the lead in reducing poverty in their province; 88% want Canada to be a leader in poverty reduction; and 77% say a recession is all the more reason to act now. Even in recession Canadians’ desire for their governments to act on poverty and inequality reduction remains strong.

 

Poverty robs us of critical talent and denies young people the opportunity to succeed.  As we approach November 24 — which marks 20 years since the unanimous 1989 all-party resolution to end child poverty in Canada — nearly 680,000 children and their families live in poverty (Income in Canada 2007).  That’s 9.5% of all children – about one out of every ten. And that was before this recession. As acknowledged in the Kelowna Accord, for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children the poverty rate is substantially higher. We can, and must, do better.

 

There are other, non-recessionary pressures on provinces and territories as well. The demographic shift is on our doorstep as baby boomers begin the biggest wave of retirement this nation will have ever experienced. Pressures on our future labour market in the context of a globally competitive post-recession environment means Canada needs every citizen to be at his or her working best. Persistent poverty acts as a barrier to future prosperity – it exacts punishing hardships on those who live it and it keeps Canada from realizing its full potential.

 

The cost of political inaction is steep. Recent analysis by the Ontario Association of Food Banks estimates the cost of poverty at $38 billion a year. Repeating the “belt-tightening” method of the 1990s will only deepen recession-driven hardships.

 

Canadians are counting on every Premier in this country to act now to reduce and prevent poverty. And they’re counting on the Premiers to rise above jurisdictional differences and bring the Prime Minister on board for a coordinated recession-fighting poverty reduction plan.   Our Premiers have a heavy responsibility but also hold tremendous power. We trust they will exercise that power during their upcoming talks

 

Laurel Rothman works at Family Service Toronto and is National Coordinator, Campaign 2000. Trish Hennessy is director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Inequality Project.

by Laurel Rothman and Liyu Guo

Campaign 2000 with the 25in5Network for Poverty Reduction and Family Service Toronto hosted a Community Town Hall Meeting on June 1st at Metro Hall in Toronto to coincide with the hearings held here by the federal HUMA Committee. We had a fantastic turn-out (at least 140 people) and wonderful presentations from at least 35 people and groups.

Individuals and community groups — some by themselves and others with children or on wheelchairs, turned out at this event to share their personal stories of living in low income and how they cope with all the challenges and hardships on a daily basis. They urged those present what they thought the federal government should do in order to address child and family poverty, especially as we are tackling today’s economic recession..

Here is a glimpse of the themes that were discussed and captured at the Town Hall on June 1st (to read the full report, click on the link below)

1. Good Jobs
2. Income Supports
3. Affordable Housing
4. Employment Equity
5. Early Learning and Child Care
6. Aboriginal Issues
7. Supports for Newcomers
8. Supports for People with Disabilities
9. Issues Affecting People Outside Toronto.

Our presenters’ honesty and willingness to “tell it like it is” were very effective. Panelists did a great job summarizing the key themes being heard and reiterated over and over Monday evening! To get a flavour of how it went, just read the Toronto Star’s article on the event by clicking here: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/644587.

The very efficient report-writing team worked very hard to capture many strong quotes and identified the key themes in the community report. On Tuesday, June 2nd at mid-day, Linda Coltman of Voices from the Street presented the report to the HUMA Committee who received this politely and agreed to arrange to enter it into the record as protocol requires. For a copy of the complete community report and the website link that has a number of great pictures that captured some of the spirit of the evening on Family Service Toronto’s web, just click here for more details: http://www.familyservicetoronto.org/whatsnew/townhallmeeting.html.

Thanks for great community mobilizing!

By

Laurel Rothman and Liyu Guo

Campaign 2000 and Family Service Toronto

By Amy Steele, Social Work Student Intern, Campaign 2000

 

On Tuesday April 28, I attended an event called We Are All In This Together; Defending the Public Interest During the Recession: A Community Forum.  The event included panelists Naomi Klein, Uzma Shakir (community activist and member of the Colour of Poverty), Gail Nyberg (of the Daily Break Food Bank) and Peggy Nash (former Member of Parliament and representative of the Good Jobs Coalition and the Canadian Auto Workers).

 

It was an impressive panel of speakers.  They were all inspiring, strong individuals (and all women might I add!) who spoke with a sense of clarity and urgency about the issues facing our society in these increasingly difficult economic times. All of the speakers discussed the need for solidarity and community, disdain for neo-conservative/free-market ideology and the assertion that workers did not cause this crisis and we should not have to pay for it.  It seemed that everyone in the audience agreed.

 

After the Panelists spoke, the floor was opened up for questions. There were many articulate, passionate speakers and many became emotional.  Both the audience members and the panelists were very supportive.

A few individuals expressed frustration at the fact that they really wanted to do something to make a difference, but had no idea where to start.  One young woman began to cry because she wanted to help alleviate people’s suffering so badly, but said she had no idea what to do or where to begin.  Everyone in the room clapped for her.  It was heartwarming to watch.

 

The event was very well attended.  In addition, in comparison to the last Recession Relief Fund Coalition event, the panelists did a fantastic job of responding to everyone who spoke. (At the last event, they cut people off and seemed to only begrudgingly listen to the audience speakers, offering them little in response).   There was a real sense of camaraderie in the room and it was inspiring to be there.

 

However, this inspiration soon faded. 

 

The goal of the event was to:

• Share your Experiences of the Recession,
• Share Your Experiences of Mobilization and Action
• Discuss Strategies for Moving Forward Together.

I felt the first two goals were reached.  Unfortunately, the last was not.  While people were able to share their experiences, no real strategies were presented for moving forward, simply the idea that governments need to do more for marginalized individuals and communities and less for big businesses.  But no suggestions were put forward for how we get them to do that, nothing much was offered for people to sign up for.  It was a little bit of preaching to the converted. 

 

I am of two minds about the utility of these events. They did foster a sense of hope and solidarity, and did seem to be cathartic for the people who spoke.  However, it was stated over and over again that “you aren’t going to change the world by going to conferences” – but they didn’t really present another option for people who wanted to get involved. Uzma Shakir did offer volunteering for the Colour of Poverty to the girl who broke down in tears, but still had no information or contacts about the organization.  In addition, the sheer number of speakers ensured that people’s comments became repetitive, and that people lost interest.  Many people got up and left before the event was over.

 

So how do we ensure we are truly all in this together?  How do we mobilize and involve all of the people who really want to help work for systemic change? Taking solace in our shared suffering is a good first step.  But it would have been really helpful to have some sort of follow-up or suggested actions people can take.  Because as inspiring as they can be, we’re not going to change the world by going to conferences.