Canada Without Poverty looks into this issue further in a blog on the Huffington Post. Here is an excerpt:

“People living with low-income — whether from paid employment, social assistance or both — are forced to do more with less money. The majority of people living in poverty are employed, with 25 per cent of Canadians working low wage jobs and earning less than about $13 an hour. This is a rate that will barely keep individuals out of poverty, and it highlights the fact that this is not about accessing food, but rather having the means to purchase it.

Even Food Banks Canada (FBC) has acknowledged this issue in their 2011 Hunger Count report stating, “Low income, whether in the short or long term, is at the root of the persistent need for charitable food assistance in Canada.” Food banks had never been seen in Canada before the 1980s and when introduced in 1981 were intended as an emergency measure only, and certainly not as a long-term solution to address hunger. The Canadian Association of Food Banks (the precursor to FBC) had a three year mandate when they were first established, but continued when it was clear hunger in Canada was not going away…

…Missing from this conversation about hunger is that everyone in Canada has a right to food. When the federal government ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it agreed to key provisons including Article 11(1) which articulates the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and Article 2(1) which obliges states to use the maximum amount of resources necessary to fulfill these rights.

This human right to adequate food means that states are not obligated to give out free food — but to make sure food is affordable and accessible. Canada is required to fulfill the right not only as a moral imperative, but because of the commitment it made by ratifying the international treaty.”

To read the full blog go to the Huffington Post Canada website.

Look Away - by Rob

Housing instability is a growing problem in British Columbia, particularly in the city of Vancouver. Approximately 133,000 renter households in BC report having difficulty meeting their core housing needs. Of these households, 64,900 allot more than 50% of their income to housing. As of July 2010, 10,250 households were on the BC Housing wait list. Homelessness remains a critical issue, with Vancouver’s most recent homeless count at 2,650: a 22% increase since 2005, and a 137% increase since 2002.

There are little systematic data available on the socioeconomic needs of Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PHA) in BC, therefore the impact of housing instability on the health outcomes of this population is not fully understood in this context. Findings from the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS-based Longitudinal Investigations into Supportive and Ancillary Health Services (LISA) study suggest that 32% of people accessing antiretroviral therapy in BC are unstably housed. Of those, 83% live in, or frequent, the city of Vancouver.

Rejection - By Dan

The determinants and impact of housing instability amongst PHA in Vancouver are situated within a unique economic and political context: the province of British Columbia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Canada as well as a growing housing crisis fuelled by rising housing costs, dismally inadequate income assistance, a low minimum wage and the highest poverty rate in the country.  However, BC-based studies that have considered housing as an important determinant of health use definitions of housing stability developed in other settings—definitions which may not reflect the realities of PHA in Vancouver.

“The way I see it” is a Photovoice project that examines the impact of housing on health as seen through the eyes of people living with HIV and AIDS in Vancouver. Photovoice is a method used to help individuals, often marginalized by social-structural inequity, to reflect on their community’s strengths and needs, engage with policymakers and work towards social change. This community based initiative is led by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation and supported by a number of community partners, particularly McLaren Housing Society of British Columbia.

Safe journeys my friends. I will remember you always - by Val

A number of community partners, including the Positive Women’s Network helped recruit nine participants – people living with HIV and passionate about housing research and advocacy. Participants were trained as Community Researchers who would use their personal experiences to describe how the physical and social environment impact people’s health and well being.

The team received photography training from professional photographer, Marlis Funk. Community Researchers were then given cameras which they used to take pictures of their homes and neighborhoods. After the photos were developed and reviewed the team engaged in group and one-on-one discussion about housing and health. They also brainstormed ways to disseminate the knowledge gained from the project to the wider community. The group decided to organize a photo exhibit at W2 media cafe to draw the interest of community members who may not be familiar with the realities of living with HIV, in addition to researchers, service providers and people “in the know.”

Under my sink live some mice - By Randy

An overarching goal of this research initiative is to increase lay peoples’ understanding of both vulnerability produced by environments, and the resiliency that PHA communities develop to buffer themselves. In addition, the project findings will be used to lobby regional and provincial decision-makers in the health and housing sector to respond to the issues the team has identified and, importantly, to involve affected communities in generating solutions.

For more information please click here.

Community Researchers – Dan, Val, Rob, Randy, Lynda, Lora, Jenny, Mel – collaborated with Surita Parashar (BC-Centre for Excellence student) and Rosa Jamal (Canada Without Poverty Board member) to expose the reality of inadequate housing for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS.

“The shock of the 2012 federal budget is just setting in, but the repercussions will be felt for years to come. Although deemed “moderate,” this budget has cut thousands of jobs and left a scar on our social welfare system. A particularly unsettling decision was to dismantle the National Council of Welfare (NCW), a renowned organization that offers in-depth information on poverty and also represents the needs of the poor in government.

Established in 1969 as an advisory group to the Minister of National Health and Welfare, the National Council of Welfare has played a crucial role in measuring the depth and breadth of poverty in Canada, linking citizens concerns about welfare and poverty with parliament. Specifically mandated to report to the minister, the NCW was unique in its research collection and reporting providing accurate pan-Canadian data that was used by various organizations, including Canada Without Poverty and Campaign 2000….

…The loss of important information gathering will leave a noticeable gap in the current knowledge of poverty in Canada. Such substantive reporting on social wellbeing is necessary in order to not only identify the cross-Canada trends and emerging issues, but also to help map out regional needs and develop targeted solutions. “

To read the full blog visit the Huffington Post website.

The way governments organize themselves say a lot about how politicians and senior public servants see their responsibility in the service of the people.

There are some tried and true and ones you can’t get out of: national defense, foreign affairs, public education, more or less healthcare and safety, justice and crime, to name a few of the obvious.

The less obvious are often “tucked” away in convenient spots and reflect the additional expectations that have stood the test of time: employment, immigration, economic development, citizenship, and in Canada most noteworthy, heritage and cultural preoccupations.

But nowhere will you find a Minister for Poverty, plain and simple.  Poverty – as an issue of responsibility – gets buried in places called social services, or “human resources and skills development.”  Whether you are a Conservative, Liberal or New Democrat, or any of the uniquely Canadian wonders such as the Parti Quebecois, Wildrose and SoCred, none would dare take on such a task as a department responsible for poverty.

The plague of poverty – the single biggest drain on the economy, social unity, safe streets and homes – just isn’t (or has yet to be) given departmental profile.  It’s one of the few issues where all say “Go talk to someone else, it’s their responsibility”.

Why you ask?  Is it because poverty is a hopelessly incurable problem and that no one would want the job?  Nope.  It’s because the elites of this country don’t want to offer hope where they think no hope exists.  This is an odd consensus.

Business has Cabinet representation.  Labour has Cabinet representation.  Parks have Cabinet representation.  Farmers have Cabinet representation.  Women have Cabinet representation.  First Nations have Cabinet representation.  Musicians have Cabinet representation.

And in Canada we now have an Office of Religious Freedoms.  And all religions come down to one golden rule: treat others, as you yourself would want to be treated – with dignity, empowerment and hope.

Especially at this time of economic uncertainty, almost anyone could easily end up becoming part of the poverty constituency with no Cabinet representation.  It is prudent insurance on all our parts if we press the powerful to shake their heads into a new reality and make sure poor people have an advocate in the halls of government.

Imagine: a Ministry for Poverty Elimination.  And under him or her, accountable to us all, Canada’s Poverty Action Plan – with billboards up in neighbourhoods, poor to rich, across the land.

Tony Macerollo volunteers for Canada Without Poverty as Strategic & Communications Advisor.  A consultant on government relations, his career has included over 10 years as the chief of staff to a former long-serving Member of Parliament and Cabinet member. (www.tonymacerollo.com)

Every morning when I hop off the bus or walk my bike up the sidewalk to the lock-up, I pass panhandlers and homeless men and women. If I have change I offer it, and say ‘Good morning’, with guilt behind my smile. I am working for an anti-poverty organization, working to promote policies that will ensure a better life, a life with dignity, for these people and countless others who live in less visible poverty. Seeing how my report-writing at a desk, in clothes that I bought new (though on sale), in the course of obtaining a rather expensive education, helps secure their right to a home and adequate food is hard on some days.  I have learned that sometimes, the fight against injustice is slow, methodical, and involves writing reports. Research and publishing may not be the most exciting ways to eliminate poverty, but they are part of the solution, and there are many other ways that you, the reader, can take part as well.

Of the many valuable things I have learned in my few months with Canada Without Poverty, the lesson that has affected me the most has been managing the delicate balance between charity through giving to the needy, and justice through working for social change. Upsetting the status quo is not an easy task, especially in the neo-liberal environment we live in, where capitalism and individualism reigns. People need to mobilize for the basic human rights to shelter, food, and education, but finding time is hard when everyone is busy struggling to keep their own lives together.

Persistence and patience are the keywords to hold on to when working for social justice and the end of poverty. One of the keys to the environmental movement’s success in mobilizing people has been the sense of empowerment people get from doing individual acts, no matter how small, that help the goal of a cleaner environment.

The eradication of poverty does not have that level of public action right now. Volunteers are stretched, workers burn out, and advocates become exhausted. Bridging the disconnect from policy pursuit to the marginalized citizens it is intended to empower takes time and energy, so the more people we have working to that aim, the better. More voices will make our message easier to hear. The clearer and louder we become, the faster our goal of dignity for all can be realized.

Reading about the state of social policy in Canada can incite anger. That anger needs to be turned into conviction. Here at Canada Without Poverty we often hear that writing letters and speaking to local politicians is an effective way to share the message that positive change is necessary. You can also treat panhandlers you pass with respect, and recognize that this person represents visible poverty. When you buy your coffee, or go to the grocery store, consider the workers earning minimum wage that are struggling (invisible poverty). Learn what your MLA or MPP is doing about poverty in your riding. Take part in a rally. There are many campaigns that are championing causes that can use your support, including Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada. Get involved in a way that suits you.

Doing nothing will allow poverty to deepen and continue to hurt all of us. Doing something, exciting or boring, once or repeatedly, helps. Choose what you will do and let us know on Facebook what it was. Loud and clear will see the end of poverty, whether with a bullhorn or a quietly typed report.

*By CWP Intern Emily Shoff

Poverty:  a black hole, an empty fridge, a lack of opportunity, inequality.  On Tuesday, March 27^th Carleton students mapped out poverty with post-its at the Take Note event.  An outline of Canada rapidly filled into a colourful mosaic of post-its all responding to this central issue.  One by one, students followed the colour-coded legend asking questions designed to characterize poverty.  Who is poverty?  Where does it live?  What does it look like? Within hours, Carleton students had shared their understanding on the issue creating a collection of insight.

The event was organized as a final project of the Engage Ottawa initiative.  Here at Canada Without Poverty I used my own understanding and knowledge gained from this internship to challenge and objectify the misconceptions of poverty in Canada – no poverty is not just homelessness and no it doesn’t have to be chronic.

So what is poverty?  According to some student’s post-its, it’s ‘that grinding weight’, it’s ‘the child who doesn’t know the joy of Christmas’, its ‘loneliness’, its ‘dehumanizing’, its ‘someone just like you’.  Yes, poverty is homelessness, it lives under bridges and it’s a Tim Horton’s cup with change inside, but most of all its ‘intersectional’.  It covers every race, gender, class and age.  With examples such as the crisis in Attawapiskat and the degradation in Lower East Side Vancouver, it is clear some populations are more vulnerable to poverty, those being Aboriginal peoples, women, persons with disabilities and visible minorities.

We need to Take Note of poverty in Canada.  Only 6 provinces have a poverty strategy, meanwhile, cuts to social welfare and the record high usage of food banks (almost 900,000 Canadians needing the food bank each month) remain persistent across the country. Poverty needs to be understood as a much more encompassing issue than just homelessness.  An estimated 150,000-300 000 individuals are visibly homeless with roughly 3.5 million struggling to escape the “need trap” (as one individual recalls from his own experience).

Intern (and Take Note organizer) Emily Shoff

Fortunately, many Carleton students have recognized the realities of poverty in Canada, regardless of the government’s efforts to illegitimize its effects.  Ehem, cuts to the National Council on Welfare (an organization that produces relevant research material on the state of poverty in Canada) and the ignorance of the Attawapiskat crisis.  Carleton students have responded calling it “dehumanizing” and a “violation of human rights”.

We got the response we wanted: we sparked conversation, got people thinking, created a more fluid understanding of the issue, we asked the important questions.  Students definitely had questions.  We definitely had surprised looks and queried thoughts.  It was all part of the project.

After the thrust of this event, I went back that night to take down the map.  One by one, I pulled each post-it off dissecting every meaning, smiling because after all this energy myself and Canada Without Poverty employees strive to do; engage, educate, question, we had hundreds of post-its from all socio-economic backgrounds that became part of a collective voice.

Until the federal government adopts an official definition of ‘poverty’, we must Take Note of poverty’s all encompassing effects, pervasiveness and detriments.

**More photos were taken to capture the collective.  Check them out here!

Ottawa and Toronto – The National Council of Welfare does not duplicate any other organization in the nonprofit sector, and the federal government’s termination of funding for this poverty advisory group with unprecedented statutory powers will undermine national efforts to combat poverty, say Campaign 2000 and Canada Without Poverty.

On April 2, Kellie Leitch, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, informed the House of Commons that,

With respect to the National Council of Welfare, we are putting our policy resources to best use and reducing duplication. Examples of high profile organizations, not for profit organizations that focus on this area are Campaign 2000 or Canada Without Poverty.

Founded in 1963, the Council is a government-appointed impartial advisory body that, by law, advises the the federal government on issues of poverty in Canada. The council most recently produced an eye opening report called the Dollars and Sense of Solving Poverty, which assesses the importance of poverty eradication for economic productivity and prosperity.”

“The National Council of Welfare should not be eliminated,” says Laurel Rothman, National Coordinator for Campaign 2000.  “With the termination of the long form census and now the National Council of Welfare, Canadians who want to see a reduction in, and the eventual eradication of poverty in Canada are being denied access to information that is pertinent to their work. The Council does not duplicate the work undertaken by anti-poverty organizations in Canada. The decision to axe the Council is a blow to the social policy work that needs to be undertaken by the federal government.  The government’s decision is unwarranted and shows the lack of interest in the well-being of people living in poverty in this climate of austerity.”

“There is so much work that needs to be undertaken to realize a poverty-free Canada, and thus a healthier, more prosperous and safer Canada,” adds Rob Rainer, Executive Director of Canada Without Poverty.  “The National Council of Welfare has had special capacity for research and analysis concerning poverty.  The decision to terminate the Council is a signal from the federal government that it effectively wishes to disengage from the cause of combating poverty in Canada.”

“The new austerity budget focuses on reduced spending by $5.2 billion, cutting jobs, and forcing low-income seniors to wait longer for support. These spending cuts were touted as “moderate” by Finance Minister Flaherty in the weeks prior to the budget release, but in the end thousands of jobs were lost (some estimates are up to 70,000 including previous public service ‘downsizing’), and no new money was set aside for such critical services as housing support. Housing is a known determinant of good health, but over three million Canadians are insecurely housed which can ultimately increase the need for expensive health services. Addressing this issue would have been the smart choice.

Small spending allotments are trampled by spending cuts to health and essential service agencies. A mention of money being set aside for Aboriginal education is accompanied by a cut of two per cent to Aboriginal Affairs, and 5.7 per cent cut to Health Canada. This seems like a “take from Peter to give to Paul” kind of game, with no one being the clear winner.”

To read the entire blog go to the Huffington Post website.

What most of us see when we think of poverty. Homelessness is a violation of our human right to housing and deprives one of their dignity. With shelters at full capacity in the Ottawa area, shelter recipients are staying longer and even permanently.

Poverty is a complex issue.  There is not one particular ‘type’ of person or population who experiences the struggles of low-income.  During my internship at Canada Without Poverty, a central point I have come to understand is that while homelessness is one part of the entire picture, it remains the mainstream idea of who is poor.  As part of Engage Ottawa, I wanted to confront the stereotypes of poverty with a photo project and offer provocative images that spark conversation.  (Scroll down to see the photos)

The Face of Poverty attempts to capture the various identities of poverty.  Homelessness is the most visible form of poverty but it is not the only face of poverty.  Poverty in Canada involves the deprivation of resources, finances and the capacity to participate fully in society.  The term ‘poverty’ is diverse and encapsulates the struggles of the working poor, the indebted university student, the new immigrant.

I wanted to raise awareness, dispel the myths of poverty, get members of the community to participate in the conversation and make them think.  Educating civil society is part of Canada Without Poverty’s mission.

Why the bag?  It further illustrates the point that these individuals are everyday citizens; there is no single face of poverty.

The original plan was to capture 10 photos illustrating different aspects of life for those struggling with poverty (single mothers, new immigrants, Aboriginal peoples, women), however people were resistant.

I realized that just because I am comfortable talking about poverty, dissecting its meaning and critically thinking about why it exists, doesn’t mean that someone who is not engrossed in the work is just as curious:  I even tried pulling “it’s for a school project”!  And so the list of 10 fell to 6.

We often think employment will cure poverty, but low wage jobs keep people stuck in a cycle of financial need. Sometimes individuals work two jobs just to make ends meet. In the words of Ed Broadbent, “the majority of those living in poverty are working poor – not welfare recipients”. Consider this: Latte = $4.25 Hourly minimum wage in Ontario = $10.25.

Poverty is stigmatized.  There is a lack of understanding about what poverty is and furthermore who lives in it.  I visited several independent coffee shops to snap a photo to represent the working poor.  People were resistant because they felt hypocritical.  Yet they’re most likely making minimum wage and stretching their paycheques to make ends meet.  Some may even have a diploma or degree indicating that they can work in a field other than customer service.  In Ontario, minimum wage is $10.25/hour, which generates an annual income of $18,655.  The poverty line rests at $19 719 creating an income gap of $1064.

We’re blinded by the symptoms of poverty.  Take my own status for example – a full-time post-secondary student.  It’s daunting to know that after graduation the average unemployment rate for youth (15-24) stands at 14% (double the national unemployment rate) which was 7.4% as of February 2012.  Don’t forget the massive amount of debt post-graduation, or the reality that having a full-time job can still mean pressing every penny made because of low wages and inadequate benefits.  A certificate does not mean a safe zone from poverty.

As you analyze these photos, challenge yourself to move beyond your current understanding of who lives in poverty, and start to consider the low-wage problem that causes many individuals and families to struggle daily.

Healthy food is a basic need and a human right. Nutrition is frequently sacrificed as individuals and families choose between paying the rent or buying food. Food banks such as Ottawa’s Centretown Emergency Food Centre are consistently being run dry serving 720 individuals every month. The solution to hunger: end poverty.

For people living in poverty, a car is a luxury. While the bus is a cheaper alternative for many, transit is not always affordable if you have limited income. In Ottawa, a monthly adult bus pass costs $94. A single person on welfare receives $654.50 a month to cover this expense as well rent, food and other living expenses.

Will your children be able to afford university? Tuition fees are through the roof in Canada with the average University student paying $5138 for a year of school. Ontario student assistance (OSAP)covers a fraction of the costs but the amount of long-term debt is detrimental as the average student owes $27 000 in debt after graduation.

A hidden type of homelessness, individuals unable to afford rent “couch surf” by seeking shelter from friends or family members. This situation is often thought of as temporary but with over 10,000 people on the waitlist for social housing, a person could wait four years for assistance. At times they are forced to turn to the streets or unsafe living environments.

We are currently in search of seven positive-minded, enthusiastic and otherwise qualified individuals to serve on our Board.  The vacant seats are for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and two at-large seats (not geographically affiliated).  Potential candidates should be passionate about reducing and eliminating poverty locally, provincially/territorially and nationally.  Ideal candidates have a commitment to act on poverty from a human rights basis; previous Board experience, with an understanding of Board governance; excellent interpersonal skills; and a solid commitment to team work.

If you are interested in joining a great group of people, on our Board of Directors, and making a new contribution to the cause of poverty’s elimination in Canada, please submit:

1)      A 2-3 paragraph statement of interest, including identification of your lived experience of poverty;

2)      Your résumé;

3)      The names, phone number(s) and email address of two persons to serve as references for you.

For more information on or to apply for this opportunity, please contact Harriett McLachlan, President of the Board of Directors at harriett.mclachlan@live.ca. 

Please note our new Ottawa office: Canada Without Poverty, @UnderOneRoof, 251 Bank Street, 2^nd Floor, Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3.

Thank you!
Canada sans pauvreté, ex-Organisation nationale anti-pauvreté,  est un organisme caritatif non partisan et sans but lucratif, fondé en 1971, constitué en vertu d’une loi fédérale et   se consacrant à l’élimination de la pauvreté au Canada.   Tous les administrateurs de notre Conseil de seize (16 ) membres ont une expérience vécue de la pauvreté.  Consultez notre site Web pour de plus amples informations sur CSP et pour les modalités du mandat des administrateurs (en anglais seulement)..

Nous recherchons actuellement sept personnes positives,  enthousiastes  et qualifiées pour notre Conseil.  Outre deux postes d’administrateurs hors cadre (sans référence géographique), les postes vacants sont affiliés au Nouveau-Brunswick, à la Nouvelle-Écosse, à l’Île du Price Édouard, aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest et au Nunavut.  Les candidates et candidats éventuels se consacrent  avec passion à  l’atténuation de la pauvreté aux niveaux local, provincial et national.   Ils devront vouloir s’attaquer à la pauvreté selon  l’optique des droits de la personne.  Ils devront avoir acquis une expérience préalable du fonctionnement et de la gouvernance des conseils, posséder d’excellentes aptitudes interpersonnelles et être profondément déterminés à travailler  en équipe.
Si vous êtes intéressé(e) à vous joindre à un groupe dynamique, à siéger à notre Conseil d’administration, et à contribuer à la cause de l’élimination de la pauvreté au Canada, soumettez: 

1)      Une déclaration d’intérêt de 2 à 3 paragraphes, incluant une description de votre expérience vécue de la pauvreté;

2)     Votre curriculum vitae;

3)      Les noms, numéros de téléphone et adresses courriels de deux personnes pouvant agir comme références.

Pour de plus amples renseignements ou pour soumettre votre candidature, communiquez avec Harriett McLachlan, présidente du Conseil d’administration à l’adresse  harriett.mclachlan@live.ca. 

Veuillez noter la nouvelle adresse de notre bureau d’Ottawa: Canada sans pauvreté @UnderOneRoof, 251 rue Bank, 2^ème étage, Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3.

Merci!