Fog (December 16, 2011)

I awoke this morning in quite a fog.  Upon first waking I had a tough time determining what was real and what was a dream.  And then my morning continued with me simply spinning my wheels as I walked through my morning rituals like a zombie in a trance . . . brush my teeth, get dressed, eat porridge, check e-mails . . . blah, blah, blah.  When you're in a fog you're simply thinking what you've thought before while doing what you've done before.  And, guess what, you accomplish the same things as before.  Nothing new, nothing exciting, nothing gained.  But not to despair, my day is coming around because I took a few moments to make a plan.  I now know what I want to accomplish today, and the fog is lifting.

I'm not the only one who operates in a fog from time to time.  For quite awhile now the Canadian government has been in a fog with respect to poverty.  This was confirmed for me yesterday when I received a letter from my Member of Parliament, Blake Richards (Conservative).  He was responding to my request that he support Bill C-233 "An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada".  While I appreciated receiving a response, the content of his letter was quite underwhelming.


On November 25, 2011, I wrote:

"On November 24th, 1989, the House of Commons passed a unanimous all-party resolution to eliminate child poverty by the year 2000. Twenty years later, the House passed another unanimous motion to, “develop an immediate plan to eliminate poverty in Canada for all”. Most recently, in November 2010, the Human Resources (HUMA) Committee called for a federal poverty reduction plan with measurable targets and timelines.

Despite these good intentions, nearly 3,200,000 Canadians continue to live in poverty. We need action.

I urge you to support Bill C-233, An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada. The Bill would mandate a federal plan for poverty elimination that complements provincial and territorial plans by setting clear, measurable standards, and provides coordination, support, and adequate funding.

Poverty is unacceptable and can be eliminated. Please support Bill C-233."

On behalf of the Canadian government, Mr. Richards made several statements that seem to suggest the government is on top of the problem and working to a plan.  While I don't entirely disagree with some of the statements made, it is obvious that the government is over simplifying the complex problem of poverty and as a result the efforts of the government are superficial at best.  A comprehensive plan is needed.

On December 15, 2011, Mr. Richards wrote:

"I believe the best way to fight poverty is to get Canadians working. As a government, we believe in helping Canadians and their families to become independent and contributing members of society. I think the majority of Canadians would much prefer to have a job than to accept government handouts. That said, there are still too many who need a helping hand. To this end in budget 2009 and 2010 our government introduced broad-based tax relief as well as significant investments in programs to assist vulnerable Canadians, including a doubling of the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB), and timely, temporary and targeted enhancements of the Employment Insurance program.

As you know, family is the building block of society, and one of the most important investments that we can make as a country is to help families with the costs of raising their children. As a government we provide over $14 billion per year in benefits for families with children through the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB), including the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCB) for low-income families, and through the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB), and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

In Budget 2011 we introduced a new Guaranteed Income Supplement top-up to the most vulnerable seniors. This represents an investment of $300 million per year for those seniors who need help the most.

Our government has made record investments in affordable housing, including creation of new housing for seniors, persons with disabilities and Aboriginals.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me."


Getting Canadians working is good for those who can work.  However, Mr. Richards implies that poverty is due to Canadians not working.  For some that is the case.  However, the real problem for many who can work is that the jobs are too low paying to adequately support a dignified standard of living.  We need a living wage in Canada.  Did you know that a good percentage of the homeless in Calgary are employed? The Mustard Seed has indicated 60% of its clientele have jobs.  Canadians need jobs, yes . . . but good jobs.

What about those who cannot work or whose circumstances are especially challenging?  Mr. Richards indicates that "record investments" have been directed to seniors, persons with disabilities, and Aboriginals.  First of all, it's not difficult to have record investments when the need is high, the cost of living is high, and the relative purchasing power of the dollar decreases over time . . . so that essentially doesn't mean much.  Secondly, the question is not whether there is investment but whether such investment is sufficient.  Once again, does it allow people to live with basic dignity . . . a living standard that everyone deserves simply by being human.  The number of people in poverty and struggling in Canada suggests that the current efforts are insufficient.

It is important that we don't just look at numbers, but rather at impact.  For example, $300,000,000 for seniors . . . what does that really mean?  It's only 0.1% of the Canadian budget.  It represents an average of $453.38/mo per senior in need. (Source - Service Canada)  Does it ensure that no senior is living in poverty?  Absolutely not.  In other words, while it looks like a big number it is actually very small in the big picture and doesn't ensure that every senior achieves an adequate standard of living.

Canada needs a comprehensive plan to eradicate poverty.  And, it needs it now.  Of course, don't just take my word for it.  All of the following three recent reports call upon the Canadian government to adopt a comprehensive and integrated federal action plan to eliminate poverty.

Revisiting Family Security in Insecure Times
2011 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada
by Campaign 2000 (November 2011)

Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on
Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (November 2010)

In from the Margins
A Call to Action on Poverty, Housing, and Homelessness
by the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
(December 2009)

Why isn't the government listening?  It's in a fog.

If you want to lend your voice asking the government to take action to adopt a plan to end poverty in Canada, simply go to the following link to note your support.

Dignity for All - The Campaign for a Poverty Free Canada

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phase II - Struggles of the Working Poor Daily Report
Day 45 - 46 (December 15^th – December 16^th)

Weight at Beginning of Project:  233 lbs
Weight at End of Phase One:  216 lbs
Weight at Start of Phase Two: 221 lbs
Weight at Start of Today:  216 lbs

Available Funds:   $36.93 (leftover) + $6.00 (Dec 15) + $9.00 (Dec 16) = $51.93
Funds Spent Today:  $34.22 (loan repayment on Dec 15)
Remaining Funds:   $17.71

New Loan:  $0.00
Loan Payment Due Today: $34.22 (Dec 15)
Loan Payment:   $34.22 (Dec 15)
Outstanding Loan: $67.50 (originally $135.00) @ 2% per month (non-compounding) . . . payments due as follows:  $34.38 due Dec 8^th (PAID); $34.22 due Dec 15^th (PAID); $34.07 due Dec 22^nd; $33.91 due Dec 29^th.

Items Purchased:   Nil

Free Stuff:  Lunch on Dec 15^th & Supper on Dec 16^th (bought by visiting father)

Gas Purchased* & Remaining:  $0.00 (i.e. 0.0 litres @ $1.089 per litre . . . 0.0 km @ 10 km/litre) + 4.41 litres (gas remaining) = 4.41 litres (44.1 km)
Driving Today:  0.0 km (i.e. 0.0 litres)
Gas Remaining:  4.41 litres (i.e. 44.1 km)

*Will not include any fuel or driving related to work that is paid for by work.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey!! I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.

Click Here to Sign . . . A Declaration to World Leaders

Click Here to See WACHOOKANDU