Canada Without Poverty is pleased to announce the appointment of the Hon. Monique Bégin,

Dr. Bégin is a distinguished former Member of Parliament and a leading Canadian expert on poverty as a social determinant of health. 

Dr. Bégin was born in 1936 and raised in France and Portugal before immigrating to Canada at the end of World War II. She earned a Master’s in sociology from the Université de Montréal and undertook doctoral studies in social sciences at the Sorbonne (University of Paris), before serving as Executive Secretary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women (1967-70). 

Dr. Bégin became in 1972 one of the first of three women from Québec ever elected to the House of Commons.  Re-elected three times, she was twice appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as Minister of National Health and Welfare.  Besides creating in 1978 the Refundable Child Tax Credit (now the Canada Child Tax Benefit), she remains best known for the Canada Health Act (1984). 

Following elected office, Dr. Bégin joined the University of Ottawa and Carleton University in 1986 as the first joint Ottawa-Carleton Chair of Women’s Studies.  From 1990 to 1997, she was the University of Ottawa’s Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences.  She has continued to teach at this university as a professor emeritus.

Dr. Bégin also co-chaired the 1993-1995 Royal Commission on Learning of Ontario.  She served on the International Independent Commission on Population and Quality of Life.  Her academic and political career included distinguished service, over 2005-2008, as a member of the international Commission on Social Determinants of Health, convened by the World Health Organization to give support in tackling the social causes of poor health and avoidable health inequalities (health inequities).

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Dr. Bégin has received several honorary doctorates in recognition of her contribution to human rights and to public policies.  In 1997, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.  She is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing Advisory Board.

Canada sans pauvreté est fier d’annoncer la nomination de l’ hon. Monique Bégin CP, OC, MSRC au troisième poste de Conseiller  honoraire de Canada sans pauvreté, après les nominations de Ed Broadbent en juillet et d’Ovide Mercredi en août. 

Le Dr. Bégin, qui a connu une belle carrière au Parlement, est un des experts émérites du Canada en matière de pauvreté et des déterminants sociaux de la santé.  

Le Dr. Bégin, née en 1936, a vécu en France et au Portugal avant d’immigrer au Canada à la fin de la deuxième guerre mondiale.  Après sa maîtrise en sociologie de l’Université de Montréal, elle a poursuivi ses études de doctorat en sciences sociales à la Sorbonne (Université de Paris) avant d’être nommée secrétaire générale de la Commission royale d’enquête sur la situation de la femme au Canada (1967-1970).

En 1972, le Dr. Bégin fut la première de trois femmes du Québec à être élue à la Chambre des Communes.  Trois fois réélue elle fut à deux reprises nommée ministre de la Santé et du Bien-être par le premier ministre Pierre Trudeau.  Elle créa en 1978 le Crédit d’impôt-enfant remboursable (maintenant Prestation fiscale canadienne pour enfants) mais son nom restera surtout identifié à la Loi de la Santé du Canada (1984).

Après avoir quitté la politique, le Dr. Bégin a passé au monde universitaire, occupant la chaire conjointe en études féminines aux universités d’Ottawa-Carleton, avant de devenir doyenne de la Faculté des sciences de la santé à l’Université d’Ottawa de 1990 à 1997.  Elle continue à enseigner comme professeure émérite à la Faculté des sciences de la santé de cette université.

Le Dr. Bégin a co-présidé la Commission royale d’enquête sur l’éducation en Ontario (1993-1994).  Elle a été membre de la Commission internationale indépendante sur la Population et sur la Qualité de la vie (1993-1996).  Sa carrière universitaire et politique comprend aussi son passage remarqué (2005-2008) comme membre de la Commission internationale de l’OMS sur les Déterminants sociaux de la santé, dont le rapport vient d’être publié, commission consacrée à combattre les causes sociales de la mauvaise santé et les inégalités évitables dans ce domaine. 

Élue membre de la Société royale du Canada (1996), elle a reçu 17 doctorats honorifiques pour sa contribution aux droits de la personne et aux politiques publiques.  En 1998, elle a été reçue Officier de l’Ordre du Canada.  Elle est actuellement Vice-présidente du Conseil consultatif de l’Institut de l’Indice canadien du Mieux-être (Canadian Index of Wellbeing).

This story is written by the mother of a young man too mentally ill to represent himself.  Our family name is disguised to protect us from harassment. 

My son fell ill with schizophrenia when he was sixteen.  He tried to cope by using street drugs.  He got into trouble with the police right away.  Our family tried to get help from counsellors and doctors but they could not find any solutions to his intense addictions.  (Click here to read the full story)

This call has three principal components:

1)      Increase Canada Pension Plan benefits;

2)      Increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors; and

3)      Introduce federal pension insurance to protect retirement savings.  

The Canadian Labour Congress (“the umbrella organization for dozens of affiliated Canadian and international unions, as well as provincial federations of labour and regional labour councils”) has excellent, accessible information in support of labour’s Retirement Security for Everyone campaign. 

• Click here for the CLC’s Labour Day 2010 message on this subject
• Click here for the CLC’s fact sheet series on pension and retirement security reform
• Click here for the CLC’s nifty calculator of how expanding the CPP can work for you:
• Click here for the CLC’s “Retirement Security for Everyone Campaign Toolbox”
• Click here for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ 2010 emergency resolution in support of pension and retirement security reform:

Canada Without Poverty and the CWP Advocacy Network shall work with Canadian labour (particularly within the context of Dignity for All: The Campaign for a Poverty-free Canada) to help advance public and political support for pension and retirement security reform.  Under international human rights law to which Canada is signatory, everyone has the right to “social security” and an “adequate standard of living.”  Government has a duty to ensure such economic and social rights are honoured and upheld.  Government must therefore work with business and civil society to construct a sustainable system of retirement security so that these rights – and the related right of “security of the person” (per international law and Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) – are made real.

Ovide Mercredi is a Cree who currently serves as the Chief of Misipawistik Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, the community of his birth in January 1946.

A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Law degree, Chief Mercredi practiced criminal law and later specialized in constitutional law as an advisor to Manitoba Chiefs.  He has worked tirelessly for the rights of First Nations people throughout Canada.  He is known as a First Nations leader that speaks eloquently with great passion and clarity.

In 1989 , he was elected Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Manitoba.  He became a key strategist for the Assembly during the time of the Meech Lake Accord constitutional reform discussions.  He also had a strong leadership role in helping to resolve the Oka Crisis in 1990.

Chief Mercredi was elected as National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations in 1991.  During his first term he led the negotiations for the First Nations in the Charlottetown Accord.  He was re-elected in 1994 and served as National Chief until 1997.  He addressed the United Nations in Geneva and New York.  He led a human rights delegation of Canadians to the troubled area of the Mexican state of Chiapas.

In addition to serving as a lawyer and politician he co-authored “In the Rapids:  Navigating the Future of First Nations” with Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond in 1993.  He has contributed articles to other publications.  In his spare time, he enjoys writing poetry but is unpublished.

Chief Mercredi is an advocate of non-violent methods for change and travelled to India when he was nominated for the Gandhi Peace Prize.  He has received honorary degrees from Bishops University, St Mary’s University, The University of Lethbridge and Athabasca University.

In 2007 he was appointed Chancellor of The University College of the North in Manitoba.

He is also the National Spokesperson for Treaties 1to 11, having been chosen in a traditional and customary manner in the summer of 2006.  As National Chief he worked closely with Elders from all regions of Canada.  As a Treaty Spokesperson, he has continued his practice of seeking the advice and support of traditional Elders.

Chief Mercredi is a strong believer in a positive future for all First Nations communities and recognizes the inherent strength and talents of First Nations people.  He has made hundreds of speeches in different venues.  He once said:   “I say that I am an optimist about our future because I know that when we come together as men and women, as Elders and children, for the collective good of our people and the advancement of our communities and our societies, not only will we benefit , but Canada as a whole will benefit.”

He has always maintained that his people possess the answers to their needs and aspirations.  To him healing can be accomplished by the simple application of traditional values such as respect and kindness.

Recognizing art as an important expression of personal belief and unity, The Republic to End Poverty brings to light the integral role art can play in individual healing and growth. Groups we are happy to feature such as Gallery Gachet, the Downtown Eastside Centre for the Arts, and ATIRA Women’s Resource Society have been successful in bringing together individual talent while highlighting issues connected to poverty, mental health, and violence against women.

Amazing local artists will be participating in the show including:  Monika Blichar, Andrew Briggs, Ronn Martin, Joe Sala, Vicki Rae, Narissa Saretsky, Sarazen Brooks, Dave Danchuck, Carl Baird, Jay Peachy, Karen Ward, Kevin Harney, Mark Prosser, Manny Cometa, Jennifer Shepit, Jennifer Little, David Ulock

We’ve also had some great donations for our event & silent auction from the following: Skoah, Dayna Bango, the Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Whale Watch, Arts Club Theatre Company, Opus Framing and Art Supplies, Furry Creek Golf Course, and more!

Tickets are onsale now: $15 pre-sale, $17 at the door.  If you want to buy tickets online go to: www.monikablichar.com, or Club Zone.

You can also check out our event page on this site, and our Facebook page.

If you are around Vancouver or have any questions email Megan at CWP’s BC office: megan@cwp-csp.ca

Hope to see you there!

1) Go to http://povertyfree.good-click.com/JoinUs.aspx

2) Watch the short video, if you like, to learn more about how this tool works

3) When you’re ready, click Download and follow the instructions to download the tool

4) Once installed, just open your browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox) and you will then see the name and logo of Canada Without Poverty, the toolbar and the search box for searches to perform.

5) You will also see that you need to “Register” to open an account so that the search revenue you generate will be directed to us.

Our customized search engine is powered by Google, Bing, Yahoo and Federated so you receive the same search results you are used to.  Along with the search function, our customized search engine comes with a customized toolbar with links to one or more of our upcoming events, to our Facebook group and Twitter news, to the Dignity for All Campaign site, and more.

Once you have the tool up and running, continue with your normal search patterns, searching as you always have: the money will add up and you will be able to keep track of how much you have raised to support us.   On a monthly basis, the CWP Advocacy Network will receive a payment based on all the revenue raised from all the searches performed by those who subscribe to this easy, no-cost way of giving.  The CWP Advocacy Network will then, in turn, use 50% of this revenue to support its advocacy for public policy solutions to poverty, and will redirect 50% of the revenue in support of Canada Without Poverty’s charitable programs and activities.

Although you should have no problem with the set-up, if you do require assistance please send an email to info@cwp-csp.ca with a day and time you would like us to call you: we’ll call you then to help with the set-up.  

And, if you subscribe to this nifty tool, we’d like to thank you!  Once registered, please send a short message to info@cwp-csp.ca, advising us of this.  Thanks in advance for signing up and investing in our efforts for a poverty-free Canada!

Ed Broadbent’s distinguished career has spanned academia, civil society and politics.  Born in Oshawa in 1936, Mr. Broadbent graduated first in his class in philosophy at the University of Toronto in 1959, undertook postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics, and obtained his doctorate in political science at the University of Toronto in 1966.  As an undergraduate at the U of T, he obtained his commission as a member of the RCAF reserve.  He has lectured at, and/or been a Fellow of, many universities including McGill, Harvard and Oxford, is currently a Fellow in the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University, and is the recipient of a number of honorary degrees. 

First elected to Parliament in 1968, Mr. Broadbent became Leader of the federal NDP in 1975.  Under his leadership through 1989, the NDP reached record party popularity and, for the party, a record number of seats in the 1988 federal election.  Following a 14-year absence from elected office, Mr. Broadbent returned to Parliament in 2004-2006 for the riding of Ottawa Centre.

An expert on economic and social rights, Mr. Broadbent was the founding President of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (now Rights and Democracy).  He was made a member of the Privy Council in 1982, an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2002.

“The Youth Transitions Program offered through The Bridge Youth and Family Services in Kelowna, BC, has for many years provided support to hundreds of young people enhancing the skills necessary for a competent transition to adulthood. The program provides a community-based living experience for young people who are nearing the age of majority, which in B.C. is 19 years. The Ministry of Children and Family Development in Kelowna B.C. refer participants who would benefit from the additional support.  Each young person has a committed Youth Transitions counsellor to assist him or her during this transition.  It is not uncommon for the same counsellor to be available to the young person for several years.

Youth Transitions believes in the inherent value of young people and the unique experiences and knowledge they bring to the program.  Young people are involved in all aspects of service planning, development and evaluation.  This speaks to the motivational level of young people, when as partners, they are provided with opportunities to be actively involved in decisions that affect their lives.

Youth Transition counsellors also support young people in transitional housing. Transition suites are self-contained and may be semi-detached or an apartment within individual homes. Each accommodation has a Mentor on-site for support and young people are assisted to enhance life management skills with the assistance of their Mentor and Youth Transitions’ counsellor.

Transition suites provide young people, including young parents, a realistic living experience before they move into their own accommodation.  As noted, each suite has a Mentor on-site for support and young people are assisted to enhance the skills necessary for a competent transition to the community.  Life management skills include, but are not limited to, residential and tenancy information, financial management, household maintenance, menu planning and food preparation, employment skills and opportunities, educational programming and career planning.

The Mentors provide quality support to the young people residing within the transition suites while also assisting them to enhance their skill level.  The success of the transition suites is dependent on the Mentors’ ability to work collaboratively with the young participants and community professionals including social workers and Youth Transitions’ counsellors  Most importantly, their dedication to the young people they support is critical to the program’s success.

Mentors themselves, are supported by the Transition Suite Facilitator, who provides regular support, education and training, and ensures that a “best practice” approach is maintained.  The Transition Suite Facilitator is also available to the Mentors on a 24 hour basis for emergency support.

For over 20 years Youth Transitions has provided support to young people as they transition to adulthood. It speaks to the counsellors who, believing in a capacity building approach, are always searching for ways to provide opportunities to assist young people to enhance their sense of self and to create a vision of their futures.   Together professionals and participants provide resources that contribute to the ongoing evolution of the program.

Counsellors remain diligent in advocating that young people meet that basic human right of secure, safe and affordable accommodation. After being afforded that stability they can continue their life journey …and their door is opened to a world of opportunity.”

What a great program that holds the potential to be replicated across the country! Thank you for giving us further insight Leigh.  Great work!

Seth grew up in Montreal, holds a BA in international relations and a B.Ed from the University of Toronto, and an MA in political science from Simon Fraser University.  He was a founding board member of the Vancouver-based Centre for Native Policy and Research.  He is an advisory board member for the Columbia Institute’s Centre for Civic Governance and board member and instructor for Next Up (a leadership training program for young people committed to social and environmental justice).  He is also the co-chair of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition, and on the Advisory Committee for the Metro Vancouver Living Wage for Families campaign.

Seth is a frequent media commentator on public policy issues, he regularly gives talks across the province, and he has appeared on many occasions before parliamentary committees.  His recent publications include: Denied Assistance: Closing the Front Door on Welfare in BC (with Bruce Wallace and Marge Reitsma-Street); Living on Welfare in BC: Experiences of Longer-Term ‘Expected to Work’ Recipients (with Jane Pulkingham); Working for a Living Wage (with Tim Richards, Marcy Cohen and Deborah Littman); and A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC.

Welcome Seth! We look forward to working with you!