Programs & Services > Social Reform > Federal Election
Canada Federal Election 2008
Warning from Campaign 2000: High Child Poverty Rates Threaten Social Fabric of Canada’s Cities
Campaign 2000, a cross-Canada anti-poverty coalition of over 120 partners, are releasing new data on child poverty rates in selected Canadian cities, and analysis of federal party platforms addressing poverty in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 at 11:00 am EST. For more details, please download the following:
- Campaign 2000 Media Release
- Campaign 2000 Election Statement & Backgrounder
- Party Grid on Poverty-Related Issues: where do the parties stand?
- Canada Map: showing child poverty rates above Canadian average in selected cities
Campaign 2000 urges all federal parties to set minimum targets of a 25% reduction in child poverty rate over the next five years, and a 50% reduction over 10 years.
We are calling for a national poverty reduction strategy, which includes these initiatives:
- Increase the National Child Benefit Supplement to create a full child benefit for low income families of $5,100 ($2007) per child per year
- Increase federal work tax credits to $2,400 per year
- Establish a federal minimum wage of $10 per hour ($2007)
- Restoration of broad eligibility for Employment Insurance
- Invest major federal funding in social housing
- Invest major federal funding in early learning and child care services
- Establish a basic income system for persons with disabilities
- Adopt specific poverty reduction strategies for Aboriginal families.
What Are the Parties Saying on These Issues?
Campaign 2000 is currently tracking their platforms. Please check our website regularly for more updates and analysis to come in the coming weeks.
What can you do?
1. Ask your local candidate what actions they will take to reduce child and family poverty in your riding;
2. Attend all-candidates meetings in your riding and ask the following question:
“Poverty and income insecurity is a growing concern for Canadians. Despite a strong economy over the past few years, Statistics Canada reports that 10.5% of Canadians live in low income. That’s 1 in every 10 people in Canada.
Many people are calling for a national poverty reduction strategy with specific targets to bring down poverty rates. What will your party do to address poverty in Canada?”
3. Check www.makepovertyhistory.ca for more ideas and actions, e.g., download the election kit, posters, brochures, and lawn signs.
4. Help get a question on poverty raised during the upcoming leaders’ debate on Oct. 1 and 2nd. Send your question by email to: question@electiondebate08.ca
5. Influence media coverage by suggesting a story idea or telling your story. Go to www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes and click on “Assign Us”
6. Review the party platforms and vote for the party candidate whose platform best reflects Campaign 2000’s recommendations to end child and family poverty in Canada.
More Related Resources and Links
- 2007 national Report Card on child and family poverty
- Other (to be available shortly)
