Report calls for a national effort to defeat poverty

http://www.ncwcnbes.net/

Canada needs a national anti-poverty plan to ensure a successful future for
our
country, the National Council of Welfare (NCW) said in a report published
today.

The report, Poverty Profile, 2002 and 2003, shows that in spite of progress
made in
the fight against poverty among seniors, poverty rates for children and
working-age
adults are about the same as they were almost a quarter century ago. Income
inequality is growing and many groups of Canadians continue to have
unacceptably
high poverty rates. For those in need today, however, Canada’s social
safety net
offers less protection against poverty than ever before.

“Governments cannot walk away from social policy,” states Council
Chairperson
John Murphy of Canning, Nova Scotia. “About 16 percent of Canadians, or 4.9
million people, lived in poverty in 2003. Many jobs pay too little to let
people pull
themselves and their families out of poverty. This report shows that
full-time, fullyear
employment is not always enough to make ends meet. ”

The report calls for a long-term plan with clear goals to prevent and
reduce poverty
and inequality. The plan needs to explore innovative solutions and include
a process
that involves Canadians living in poverty. It should respect the social and
economic
rights that Canadians have under international agreements, including the
right to an
adequate standard of living. To be effective, it must have indicators and
targets so
that governments and leaders can be held accountable.

Two provinces in Canada are leading the way. Quebec and Newfoundland and
Labrador have their own poverty reduction strategies. Other countries, such
as the
United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordic states, have made considerable
progress in
addressing poverty.

“Poverty not only results in individual misery, it also does not make good
economic
sense,” says Murphy. “People living in poverty are more likely to
experience poor
health and well-being. This in turn limits Canada’s economic performance.
Preventing and reducing poverty is essential if we are to have a strong and
prosperous country.”

• Welfare is the main source of income for a surprisingly small percentage
of
people living in poverty. For example, only 28 percent of poor
single-parent
mothers relied primarily on welfare in 2003.
• The number of working-age single people who survive on incomes of less
than
half the poverty line more than tripled between 1989 and 2003, jumping from
163,000 to 552,000.
• Average earnings for full-time, full year workers living in poverty were
extremely low in 2003—$9,522 for single people and $16,333 for families.
• The average depth of poverty for poor families ranges from $3,300 for
single
senior women to $9,900 for two-parent families.

Poverty Profile is a regular publication of the Council that is based on
survey data
from Statistics Canada. It includes detailed information about poverty
rates and
numbers, depth of poverty, duration of poverty, common sources of income
for poor
people, income inequality in Canada and poverty and the paid labour market.
The
full report, as well as a number of fact sheets, is available at
www.ncwcnbes.net.

The National Council of Welfare is a citizens’ advisory group to the
Minister of
Human Resources and Social Development on matters of concern to low-income
people in Canada.
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__________________
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
National Council of Welfare
112 Kent Street, 9th Floor
Place de Ville, Tower B
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0J9
Telephone: (613) 957-2961
Fax: (613) 957-0680

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