Judy Barrett of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Letter to the Guardian

Most recent statistics on cost of living in Canada shows an increase of 3.4% from this time last year in September 2007. (CBC Compass, Oct.24/08) What is more alarming is that Prince Edward Island's cost of living is even higher at 5.5% and this figure only takes into account shelter, clothing and some types of food. It does NOT include other items such as fuel, gas, and fruits and vegetables!

This does not surprise food banks and organizations that help those in need as many have seen an increase in the demand for assistance for food and clothing and, on a more regular bases. Unfortunately, contributions to aid in these worthwhile causes is on the decline as more and more Islanders and Canadians find themselves in tighter times and having to cut back to keep up with their own needs.

The definition of poverty is complicated and the stigma attached to the term leaves many denying the reality of the increasing number of Islanders who fit into this group. A significant proportion of Islanders classified as poor come from the employment sector but their family income plus benefits they receive ( if any) do not bring them up to the poverty line amount . The easiest way to define a poverty line amount is to say that it is barely sufficient money to live on. With this in mind, it is my wish that many will stop to rethink their prejudices on poverty and who is "impoverished". The reality is, any one of us could find ourselves in this unfortunate situation.

Along with the working poor, we have social programs and assistance programs that do not keep people out of poverty. Single mothers, unattached older individuals, seniors on fixed incomes, students carry loan debts, persons with work limiting disabilities , aboriginal people and recent immigrants all suffer from poverty. Poverty denies all these people access to adequate housing, essential goods and services, health, and just as importantly, hope and dignity. The daily struggle becomes a way of life. Our future are our children and, as many child care advocates will tell you, the most significant barrier to the healthy development of children is poverty.

Solutions to address poverty must involve the federal, provincial and municipal governments with input from community groups and members.
Eliminating poverty is not something that will happen quickly. More importantly, poor Islanders DO NEED to see that others care and they DO NEED to see some changes that can happen NOW to improve the quality of their lives. Groups like the newly formed Poverty Reduction Network brings together government, businesses, and community groups as well as individuals are working together to development short and long term efforts that will make a difference.

The recent costly and unnecessary federal election did not have poverty as a key issue in its campaign. It is little wonder that this election showed one of the lowest voter turnouts ever! This may be reflective of the hopelessness many Islanders and Canadians feel about government interest and incentives Governments seem more interested in looking after large businesses than the average struggling family. Infrastructure for tourism, sports and arts should not take precedent over people. The poor go unnoticed and most often they will not and do not speak for themselves.

Seeing first hand the struggle many Islanders face daily, groups like the Holy Redeemer St. Vincent DePaul Society that I am a member of, has led us to lobbying the provincial government to increase awareness of Islander needs. Asking for improvements to social assistance allowances (that are well below the amount needed to feed a family and to find decent accommodations), energy cost assistance to low income families, more efficient skills development programs, and reductions in provincial income tax rates for low income households are among our requests. We do receive positive feedback on these issues but the bureaucracy to initiate these changes are overwhelming and very time consuming. Efforts to bring about changes, often, only lead to more spending on reviews and consults while Islanders get poorer and poorer.

Governments do not always spend our tax dollars wisely and many feel we are overtaxed. I, for one, would feel much better about this reality if I knew my money was used more efficiently and put into programs that keep people warm and fed and hope for a brighter future.