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Poverty on the Political Agenda at least for the NDP

The working poor don't have enough to survive. The Toronto Tribune knows it and has reported on the struggles faced by the poor in our society.

The 2008 Hunger Count reports almost 15 per cent of the 704,000 people using food banks in Canada are working individuals and families, the highest level ever.

Something needs to be done when those in a so-called developing country like Canada, don't have enough food to feed their children despite working. It's appalling to The Toronto Tribune that those who receive assistance form some portion of the 85$ of those using food banks - not indicative that social assistance rates are enough on which to survive.

The NDP were quick to respond.

”The vulnerable have not been helped by the Conservatives and now working Canadians are telling the government they are wrong to think that just any job will lift someone out of poverty,” said New Democrat Poverty Critic Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie).

“We need to poverty-proof our communities starting with major reforms to Employment Insurance so more people are covered for longer periods. Canadians who are losing well-paying jobs and finding part-time, temporary work are in for a shock at how little the EI system they have paid into will help them. Besides a stimulus package, the economy needs stability, a safety net to catch those who fall through the cracks.”

“Invest in child care now – Canada can’t work without it,” said New Democrat Children critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina).

New Democrat Post-Secondary Education Critic Megan Leslie (Halifax) pointed out that in the case of students there is a direct correlation between tuition costs and food bank need. “How do we expect students to learn, and our country to be competitive in the knowledge economy, when our students are trying to figure out where their next meal will come from?" she asked.

Food Banks Canada has prepared The Hunger Count since 1989. Formerly the Canadian Association of Food Banks, Food Banks Canada is a national charitable organization, which represents the food bank community across Canada. Their mission "is to meet the short-term need for food and find long-term solutions to reduce hunger".