News: Poverty in Canada

From the Catalyst, Spring 2017

At CPJ, we’ve decided that the best way to participate in Canada’s 150th anniversary is to renew our resolve to work for public justice and the flourishing of God’s shalom in the land. 2017 is an historic moment, worthy of our every effort to show what love looks like in public.

There is perhaps no better way to do this, than by ensuring our federal leaders complete the development and implementation of a robust poverty reduction plan.

Government plan includes cautious forward movement for low-income Canadians and refugees FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON: March 22, 2017 — Federal Budget 2017 inches forward but requires Canadians to continue to wait for full measures that address poverty in Canada and climate change. “With Budget 2017, Finance Minister Bill Morneau has made tentative financial commitments to key…

This Briefing Note lays out CPJ’s position on guaranteed annual income (GAI) / basic income (BI) programs to support CPJ’s participation in current debates, and to inform the development of a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is welcoming the launch of a national consultation as one of the first steps in developing a Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy. Darlene O’Leary, CPJ’s socio-economic policy analyst, said she hopes “the process allows for strong engagement by the public.” “We have been calling on the Minister to ensure that the…

Canada will celebrate its 150th year as one of the world’s most blessed countries. An incredibly diverse and hard-working population has transformed our expansive geography of plentiful natural resources into one of the world’s most wealthy societies. But our forbearers also colonized the original inhabitants and discriminated against women, social minorities and various groups of newcomers as they arrived…

National anti-poverty campaign hopes for a comprehensive plan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON: February 13, 2017 — Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is encouraged by the announcement today from Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, Jean-Yves Duclos to move ahead with Canada’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. Today, Duclos announced two initiatives that will inform the development…

Newcomers to Canada, including refugees, experience poverty at a troubling rate.

While the level of poverty among refugees remains unclear, our 2016 report on poverty in Canada reveals that 34 per cent of new immigrants and refugees live in poverty.  

Poverty Reduction Act voted down in House of Commons FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON: December 6, 2016 — Yesterday, MPs voted down sending Bill C-245, the Poverty Reduction Act, to committee. This bill would have legislated a framework for a national poverty reduction strategy. As co-leaders of Dignity for All: The campaign for a poverty-free Canada,…

Poverty in Canada is a complex reality. Social policy experts, researchers, and anti-poverty advocates are continually analyzing the data and recommending the most effective policy responses, while working to engage and strengthen communities. We see the hardship suffered by millions of Canadians struggling to get by, but we also see positive policy impacts. So, for our organizations,…

CPJ calls for clear timelines and collaboration with Indigenous Canadians FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, ON: November 22, 2016 — Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) looks forward to strong commitments out of today’s housing consultation report. Today, on National Housing Day. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, reported on the public consultations conducted…