PFS has outlined the need for a comprehensive plan when the government develops its poverty reduction strategy
Category: Uncategorized
Why one of Canada’s big banks is calling for greater income equality
Article by Dr. Ryan Meili in the Toronto Star.
The article discusses a recent report by TD Bank. The report raises alarms about the growing income gap in Canada and provides recommendations including calls for increased spending on affordable housing, early childhood development, and social services.
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/12/19/why_one_of_canadas_big_banks_is_calling_for_greater_income_equality.html
1 in 7 Canadians Lived in Low-income Households in 2012: Stats Canada
According to recently released data from Statistics Canada, 4.7 million Canadians (13.8% of the population) were considered to be low-income in 2012. About one in six children in Canada (16.3%), lived in low-income households that year.
Note: it is difficult to make comparisons with previous years’ low-income statistics, because the 2012 reference year was the first for the new Canadian Income Survey, which used a different methodology than the previous income survey by Statistics Canada.
Link to news article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/nearly-5-million-canadians-in-low-income-status-2012-research-shows/article22020841/
CBC: Poverty strategy among items highlighted in Sask. throne speech
The October 22, 2014 speech from the throne at the Saskatchewan legislature highlighted that the provincial government will be developing a poverty reduction strategy.
CBC: Demand on Sask. food banks growing and widening
Usage of food banks in SK is up by 19 per cent across the province, from Mar. 2013 to Mar. 2014, according to Food Banks Canada. This article by the CBC showcases the story of a member of a growing group in the province: people with jobs who are unable to make ends meet.
Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/demand-on-sask-food-banks-growing-and-widening-1.2860959
New Report: poverty costs the province of Saskatchewan $3.8 billion/year
A new report by the group, Poverty Costs, examines the current state of poverty in Saskatchewan and provides evidence for the need of a poverty reduction strategy.
To read the report and supplementary resources, please visit:
http://www.povertycosts.ca/resources
Yellen ‘Greatly’ Concerned by Widening Inequality in America – Bloomberg
The Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States reignited the debate about the widening income gap in the country during a recent speech in Boston.
“The past few decades of widening inequality can be summed up as significant income and wealth gains for those at the very top and stagnant living standards for the majority. It is appropriate to ask whether this trend is compatible with values rooted in our nation’s history.”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-17/yellen-greatly-concerned-by-widening-inequality-in-america.html
Poverty Awareness Events in Regina October 2014
On Thursday, October 16th there will be a ‘Chew on This’ event in Regina as part of the national anti-poverty campaign. The goal is to raise awareness about the issue of poverty and hunger in Canada and to call for the creation of a national anti-poverty plan.
Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry and Poverty Free Saskatchewan are cosponsoring a press conference to be held at 10 am on Friday the 17th at the Heritage Community Centre in Regina. PFS will have a display and copies of our Communities Respond resource for anyone who is interested.
Poverty Awareness Week in Saskatoon: October 13-17, 2014
In Saskatoon, October 13-17, 2014 is Poverty Awareness Week.
“Poverty Awareness Week promotes awareness of not only the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty but stands to remind people that sustained and concerted effort all year long is vital to entirely eliminating the iron grip of poverty.”
Events will be taking place throughout the week in Saskatoon, organized by Passion for Action Against Homelessness and Saskatoon Anti Poverty Coalition.
Wednesday: Public Forum on Housing in Saskatoon, 1:30-3pm at Station 20 West
Thursday: Lunch and Learn Essential Voices, 11:30am-1:30pm at the Crocus Co-op Meeting Room (135 Ave B South)
Friday: Chew on This (details TBA)
Friday: Hands Across the Bridge, gather at 5pm at Rotary Park near the Broadway Bridge
Check out Saskatoon Poverty Awareness Week on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/278122285716422/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&source=1
National ‘Chew On This’ Event – October 17
Dignity for All: The Campaign for a Poverty Free Canada is organizing a campaign which will be held on October 17, 2014 to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Across Canada on the lunch hour of October 17th, food bank workers and anti-poverty advocates will be joining together to call for a Federal Anti-Poverty Plan. The group is asking the federal government for systemic change to eradicate poverty and hunger for the 833,000 people in Canada who use food banks each month and for the millions of others struggling to get by.
Instead of handing out a free lunch, volunteers for the ChewOnThis campaign are “brown bagging their call to action.” They will be handing out lunch bags marked “Chew on This!” which will contain an apple along with a magnet and postcard calling people to action to sign on to the call for a plan to end poverty.
For more information: www.chewonthis.ca