from the CBC
Canada is not taking enough action to reduce the number of children living in poverty across the country, says a new report released Tuesday by a group that represents community foundations.
The report by the Community Foundations of Canada, entitled Vital Signs 2008, says the level of child poverty is currently at the same level it was in 1989.
According to the report, which was obtained by the Canadian Press, 1.6 million children, or 23 per cent, lived in poverty in 2006.
"We have not moved fast enough anywhere in any part of the country to eliminate child poverty," said Monica Patten, president and CEO of Community Foundations of Canada, said in Toronto.
"That level of child poverty has virtually not changed in about 20 years — we just have not been able to move the needle on child poverty," said Patten.
"That's in spite of resolutions both at government levels and in communities to overcome that incredible challenge for us."
The highest poverty rates among the 15 communities studied by researchers were said to be in Toronto and Vancouver, while the lowest rates were reportedly in Calgary and Oakville, Ont.
Link to full article. May expire in future.
As India goes to the polls, can democracy deliver a better life for all of
its people?
-
Behind a veneer of progress, injustice and inequality propped up by
corruption and the caste system haunt the subcontinent
This year, more than 80 countr...
2 hours ago
1 comment:
Children of Poverty are written off...
Comments
This is a letter I wrote to Frank Klees's (MPP aurora/newmarket) office today. What do you say?
Suzanne, I did not need to be yelled at by you the other day. I do have diabetes and could not handle it so had to hang up on you.
It doesn't matter whether the leader of this province is liberal or conservative, both are responsible for the mess this province is in, by the ignoring of the poor and favouring the rich (why does Canada have the worst rates of child poverty among the well off coutries?). (most of the Ontario governments were conservative over the last 50 years). A keep the bottom level of people broken and top strong leadership attitude. Still nothing for the poor. Still no dental care or prescription care for the poor (unless you are on welfare or ODSP). My familly was written off over 50 years ago by this province when my father was killed and his wife was abused by the system, and his kids were sexually abused and left to fend for themselves. Then a man was allowed to marry my sick mother and take control of all my father's death benefits, rape me, and just last year, his estate (he is now dead) was rewarded with the last of my father's death benefits. Ignoring the widows and orphans the way this province has is the main reason this province is in such a mess. In the meantime I do not know whether to pay the rent, the heat and hydro (which are behind), get my and my husband's (he is is a senior citizen) teeth fix, or get medicine for my diabetes. We are the working poor and you continue to write us off, as you did to my mother over 50 years ago. She was widowed, and because the Ontario system did not want her to be a social burden she was put in a psyciatric hospital, given electric shock, aborted her baby and sterilzed. I recently saw the movie the changling and seeing what was done to that woman reminded me of what this province (under the conservatives) did to my mother.
As far as Frank being a part of PACC goes, it sure helps him feel good and if they were availblw would make good for photo ops. Actions would speak louder than words. Since there have been no real actions take to take care of the poor those words will be lost and meaningless.
Funny isn't it. My father got killed ny North York hydro and I cannot afford to pay my hydro bill. And I got banned from the Toronto hydro office on the day of mourning a couple of years ago because I was upset over my father's death and mistreatment of my mother. Wonderful province isn't it.
Your office tells me to forget the past is like telling someone who has there leg or arm cut off to forget it. When a part of a person's life is cut off it cannot be forgotten. It can only be dealt with and sometimes needs to be talked about to help others.
Congratulations on your contiued success of writing people off.
Finally, years after injustices were done to First Nations people by this country, the Federal Government became accountable and apologized and paid out. Why is there not similar help for others who were mistreated by this country, apologies and accountability?
Since you say you are a Christian, please read the following. By the way, there is a difference between calling yourself a Christian and being a follower (disciple of Jesus.)
A Return to the Early Church...
There is a need to return to the charity work of the early church. In the Book of Acts, for example, Christians held charity events, selling some of their possessions from time to time, and giving their money to anyone in need. When money was collected, it was dispersed accordingly. All of the believers were one in heart and mind, and they shared everything they had. As a result, there were no needy persons among them. Our churches need to learn from the Christians in the Book of Acts how to work towards the goal of having no needy people among us!
Please read the story at http://www.ontimepub.com/intro.html.
James 1:27 (New International Version)
says "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
2 Chronicles 7:14 says "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Find Common Ground to Fight Poverty
And according to Franks Klees, "Poverty is too often discussed and reported on at the 30,000 foot level ...", represents of how the poor are treated. The poor(especially poor children) are still kept at the discussion leavel. It seems to me the only common ground Frank Klees and other politians of this province of Ontario and Country of Canada have is talk without real poverty changing actions
Post a Comment