July 4th, 2010
Follow up meeting to the Social Audit will take place on Tuesday July 7th at 7pm
News from Dignity For All campaigm:
Senate Sub-Committee Releases Groundbreaking Report
(Un message en français suivra l’anglais)
On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Cities released, In From the Margins: A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing and Homelessness. This report is an extensive and powerful statement on the need to overhaul Canada's approach to social policy through a collaborative multi-sectoral approach. That the federal government has a critical role to play is presented in no uncertain terms. The economic and societal benefits of eradicating poverty are also addressed.
In From the Margins contains a comprehensive set of recommendations, including that
- measures be put in place so that anyone receiving social assistance will have an income that is at least at the level of the poverty line (after-tax LICO);
- a basic income (based on the OAS/GIS for seniors) be established for people with "severe" disabilities;
- the federal government coordinate a nationwide federal/provincial initiative on early childhood learning;
- tax credits such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the Working Income Tax Benefit be enhanced;
- all levels of government collaborate in the development of national housing and homelessness strategy, and that within this strategy that there be specific targets and funding for urban Aboriginal peoples; and that,
- the federal government live up to domestic human rights legislation and commitments made to UN declarations and conventions.
It is significant to note references to “poverty eradication,” "rights-based approaches," and the necessity to “act now” – language that is consistent with that of the Dignity for All campaign and its supporters.
Clearly, this report does not change the devastating situation of poverty in Canada. Still, its comprehensiveness and the strength of its recommendations are exciting and encouraging. Let’s hope that In From the Margins puts some impetus behind the motion that was unanimously passed in Parliament two weeks ago that “the Government of Canada ... develop an immediate plan to eliminate poverty in Canada for all.”
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Social Justice in integral to the identity of the parish community. We strive to serve one another with charity and with justice.
On April 21st we will be hosting an ISARC Social Audit, directed towards those who are the working poor. ISARC -
2010 Social Audit
ISARC is mobilizing again to provide opportunities for the most vulnerable of our society to tell their stories of living in poverty.
This March and April, Hearings are taking place across Ontario as part of ISARC’s Social Audit. This Social Audit seeks to communicate the social effects of the current Ontario government’s policies and actions towards people living in poverty and our society as a whole.
Find out how you can get involved, where ISARC hopes to hold these province-wide Hearings, and how the Social Audit has been picked up by the media.
Read about Brice Balmer's account of the Social Audit that took place in the Waterloo Region.
Contact us at info@isarc.ca if you would like to help