Federal surpluses could have lifted Canadian families and children out of poverty

Edited by Peter Tremblay

Canada's federal surplus could have lifted families and children out of poverty if all political parties commit to a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy, says Campaign 2000, the national non-partisan coalition working to end child and family poverty. With 11.7% of children in Canada living in poverty, Campaign 2000 renewed its call for the government to make poverty reduction a priority.

"It takes a nation to raise a generation," said Ann Decter, National Coordinator, "poverty reduction is a collective responsibility. We are calling on Prime Minister Harper to include all families in his vision for Canada."

"The federal government should increase the child benefit to $5,100 per year, per child," said Decter, explaining this "would reduce our child poverty rate by 37%." The cost, $5 billion annually, is equivalent to 1% of the GST, or slightly over one-third of the 2006-07 federal surplus.

In September, Campaign 2000 released Summoned to Stewardship: Make Poverty Reduction a Collective Legacy, a pivotal report calling on the federal government to set targets of reducing Canada's child poverty rate by a minimum of 25% by 2012, and a minimum of 50% by 2017 as part of a long-term goal to eradicate poverty. In the U.K., setting firm targets and goals has been successful, bringing significant reductions in poverty rates.

Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador have adopted poverty reduction strategies and newly re-elected Ontario Premier McGuinty has promised one for that province.

Reference:

Campaign 2000, and other sources.

"Federal savings from lower debt charges should be invested in poverty reduction," said Ms. Decter. "Let's not just get Canada out of debt, let's get poverty out of Canada. That's the vision of a great nation."

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