EDMONTON—Citing disturbing census data on high child and family poverty rates in major Canadian cities, the national anti-poverty coalition Campaign 2000 today urged all federal party leaders to commit to a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Canada.
The 2006 Census shows that in Edmonton 25,274 children, (1 out of every 6) lives below Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut Off (LICO). Across Canada, the child poverty rate was 13.1% in 2005 or 880,000 children and youth.
“The fact that child and family poverty in Alberta has remained high despite unprecedented economic growth, means that its time all political parties commit to a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy,” said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Alberta’s representative on the Campaign 2000 steering committee and the Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta.
“In all major polls, poverty is listed as the forth major concern in this election and many voters want to know what the parties are promising to do to reduce poverty.“
"We know it can be done – northern European countries have child poverty rates below 5%. Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Nova Scotia are all working on poverty reduction plans. But the missing link is an active federal government role,” said Laurel Rothman, National Coordinator of Campaign 2000.
“That’s why this federal election is so important – we need Canada’s next federal government to commit to a plan to reduce poverty levels by at least 25% over the next 5 years.”
To view a full copy of the Campaign 2000 Election Statement and the grid summarizing party platforms on poverty, visit www.campaign2000.ca
To view video interviews from the federal parties on where they stand on Ending Poverty, please visit the Make Poverty History website at www.makepovertyhistory.ca
Campaign 2000 is a non partisan cross Canada coalition of over 120 organizations committed to ending child & family poverty in Canada.
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