Monday, December 15, 2008

The two feet of charity and social justice

Editor:
During this season of giving, we like to give back to those who have less than we do. Traditionally we help out by doing an act of charity - giving to food banks, turkey drives, soup kitchens, and Christmas baskets.

And these are all wonderful and very worthwhile causes. No Islander likes to think of a friend, relative or neighbour going without. These acts help people survive the immediate crisis. They help folks provide a happy Christmas for their families.

We need to help people survive in difficult times, but we also must work for long-term solutions to reduce poverty on this Island and around the world. We wish to encourage Islanders to consider fighting poverty by walking with two feet: one foot being 'acts of charity' and the other foot being 'acts of social justice'. The two must work together for us to walk strongly.

While helping people out in tough times is absolutely necessary, it is also absolutely necessary that we also work toward eliminating poverty. So how can we work to eliminate poverty?
We can buy local foods and gifts that support a living wage for local citizens. We can buy fairly traded products. We can talk to our MPs and MLAs. We can join local groups working to eliminate poverty. We can donate money to local groups working to eliminate poverty. Island groups who specifically work on this issue are the McKillop Centre, the Cooper Institute, the P.E.I. Working Group for a Livable Income, ALERT and the local chapter of the National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO).

So this year when you are making your charitable donation, consider what you can do to walk with the other foot. Let's keep moving and work together to eliminate poverty - at Christmas and all year long.

Sara Roach-Lewis,
Women's Network P.E.I.
(a member organization of the P.E.I. Working Group for a Livable Income)

Friday, December 5, 2008

We need action now to crack poverty

Editor:
As the current economic crisis developed, many people across Canada were awakened to the reality of instabilities with their finances and pensions. Many are worried about being able to continue their current lifestyles, supporting their children through their education and retiring with security.

While these worries might be new to many Canadians, others live with these worries and many more each day. Canadians living in low income and poverty must continuously worry about their financial security and about supporting their families with basic necessities such as shelter and food.

Yet during this economic downturn, we do not see leadership by the federal or provincial governments to assist those most vulnerable with more financial security and access to the workforce if able. The reality of the situation remains stark as people living in poverty have less money than they had two decades ago and those who are rich are richer than they were two decades ago.

While the problem is and remains evident, the solution is not a one-over. Redirecting taxes or raising wages will not solve the poverty we see on Prince Edward Island. We need the co-operation of all Islanders, businesses and levels of government to work together on a strategy that commits to concrete reductions in the levels of poverty for our province.

Some will argue that we must wait for the economy to become strong again before we address these inequities and disadvantages in our policies. This cannot be the case. The economic downturn will affect people living in poverty and low-income individuals greater and faster than other Canadians. We must not allow economic uncertainty to prevent action on reducing poverty; research shows that by providing training, education and child support now to those living in low-income situations, there will be an economic benefit over time as it lessens the strain on our health and social systems.

Residents of Prince Edward Island need to begin a discussion on how we are finally going to take a united and firm action on reducing poverty in our province, before the strain upon our social fabric and systems becomes unsustainable.

Christina MacLeod,
P.E.I. Poverty Reduction Network