Text of the press release:
Today, New Democrats introduced legislation that sets out a comprehensive, national poverty elimination strategy in partnership with provinces and other key stakeholders that fulfills a 2008 NDP election commitment.
"Poverty elimination is an exercise in nation building, a responsibility we must not abdicate," New Democrat Poverty critic Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie) said after introducing his bill, An Act to Eliminate Poverty. "Three provinces already have laws, six have started their own poverty reduction strategies and this legislation would send a clear message to Canadians that the elimination of poverty is a priority for Ottawa."
Representatives from anti-poverty organizations have applauded the bill.
"This Act would anchor federal action on poverty to Canada's international human rights commitments," said Rob Rainer, Executive Director of Canada Without Poverty and the CWP Advocacy Network.
Chandra Pasma, a policy analyst with Citizens for Public Justice, echoed approval for the New Democrat initiative. "This is an important piece of legislation that will help to promote dignity for all Canadians."
The poverty elimination strategy includes:
- Core priorities of income security, housing and social inclusion;
- A strong human rights framework;
- Selection of a poverty measurement;
- Gender-based analysis, different urban and rural responses and specific factors that put some at greater risk;
- Leadership by the entire government with health and income security ministers at the forefront;
- An independent Poverty Elimination Commissioner to monitor and hold the government accountable, and a stronger, renewed National Council of Welfare to be called the National Council on Poverty and Social Inclusion.
Martin noted that at least 3.4 million Canadians, one in ten, live in poverty.