Fighting Poverty
Dr. Keith Martin, speaking in the House of Commons on the government’s inaction on homelessness and poverty.
Mr. Speaker, Friday was the World Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Currently, up to 6.2 million Canadians live in poverty with one in seven children living in low income situations. Poverty rates have seen continuous increases in recent years, especially amongst aboriginal people, those with disabilities, recent immigrants and the one in four Canadians who toil in low-paying, often part-time jobs. Just last month, the Conference Board of Canada gave Canada a “C” grade for its progress in child poverty and a “D” for the working poor.
This is why I introduced Bill C-414, the Canadian Low Income Supplement, which virtually eliminates federal taxes for those who earn under $20,000 a year. It puts real money in the hands of those who require the greatest assistance. We also need a national affordable housing strategy, a productivity agenda; and we must enable people to access the skills training they need so that people can break out of the poverty cycle and enable them to achieve their dreams. Inaction cannot be an option.
Fighting Poverty
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October 19th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Great speech. I particularly support the low income supplement. There is no excuse for taxing Canadians who are living in poverty.