Excerpts from the presentation:
Wide spread evidence that points to a progressive and relentless erosion of the social fabric of our country.
Not caused by but exacerbated by the current recession
Segments of Canadian society are doing better than ever -- this prosperity for some cloaks the struggle of those living on the margins.
The average income of the wealthiest families with children increased more than twice as much (33% over the past 18 years) as family incomes for the poorest tenth of Canada's population (16% from 1989 to 2007).
The slow growth of the average income of all families with children (18% over 18 years) demonstrates why middle- income families express economic insecurity.
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Canada spends less money on benefits for families and the unemployed than other developed countries.
Canada is now 25th out of 30 OECD countries in social spending.
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No longer an international beacon -- Canada ranked last among 25 OECD nations on benchmarks achieved for early childhood education and care services including subsidized and regulated child care services, staff training, child/staff ratios, public expenditures and parental leave.