Poverty in Canada is unacceptable

OTTAWA -- The Green Party of Canada is in full support of an NDP anti-poverty bill, An Act to Eliminate Poverty, introduced in the House of Commons on Wednesday.  The bill pushes the government toward accountability by establishing a poverty elimination commissioner.

Rebecca Harrison, Green Party Poverty Elimination Critic applauded the bill.  “It is critical that Canada develop a national poverty elimination strategy and have specific monies set aside in the budget.  Poverty is a threat to human rights and the single largest determinant of ill health.  It should not be tolerated in a country as great as Canada.”

The Green Party platform advocates for increased funding for low-income housing and childcare programs as essential elements of a long term plan to eliminate poverty.  The Green Party would also remove taxes from the lowest income categories so that no taxes are paid by those below the poverty line and offer free transit passes for those on income assistance to ensure people the mobility they need to find work, shelter and other necessities.

“A poverty elimination commissioner could open the door to discussions with all parties regarding a Guaranteed Annual Income Policy, offering a more just and effective social welfare system,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

The National Council of Welfare has estimated that over 15% of Canadians are living in poverty -- about 4.9 million people. Child poverty rates are highest among new Canadians, Aboriginals and single parent households headed by women. Canada now ranks a dismal 26th out of 29 ‘developed’ countries in terms of child poverty rates.

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Contact Information:
Debra Eindiguer
Press Secretary
C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca
www.greenparty.ca