Greens denounce decades of inaction on poverty

OTTAWA – The Green Party criticized successive federal and provincial governments today for their utter failure to end poverty in Canada. A report by anti-poverty group Campaign 2000 shows that despite an all-party commitment in 1989 to eliminate child poverty by the year 2000, the rate has remained unchanged at close to12%. Meanwhile, European countries with similar commitments have managed to keep child poverty rates below 3.5%.

“Our economy is strong and fat budget surpluses are the norm, yet governments have failed to even make a dent in child poverty,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “Child poverty is Canada’s shame and there can be no excuse for this abysmal situation.”

Ms. May added that it is particularly disgraceful that poverty rates among Aboriginal and immigrant children are many times the national average. She said the Green Party would explore a major policy initiative to eliminate poverty – a Guaranteed Livable Income for all.

Poverty Elimination critic Michael Oddy said that with the soaring economy, Canada can afford a Guaranteed Livable Income – a negative income tax – and noted that failing to eliminate poverty will cost society far more than a civilized program to make poverty history.

“It’s time to stop the rhetoric and take concrete steps to get from here to there,” said Mr. Oddy. “The Green Party will develop a comprehensive plan to eliminate child and family poverty, modeled after the successful track records of many European countries. Unlike the old-line parties, we believe tackling child poverty is more important than helping our richest citizens to get richer.”