On Wednesday, June 16, 2010, the Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, Tony Martin (NDP), seconded by the Member of Parliament for Chambly-Borduas, Yves Lessard (Bloc Québécois), rose in the House of Commons to introduce Bill C-545 – “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada”. This private member’s bill, if passed into law in its current form, would provide a foundation for federal engagement, leadership and accountability for eliminating poverty in Canada. Key provisions of the bill include the following:
1) Recognition of poverty as a “condition of a human being who does not have the resources, means, choices and power necessary to acquire and maintain economic self-reliance and to facilitate their integration into and participation in society”
2) Recognition of poverty as a human rights issue and anchoring the federal response to poverty in a human rights framework;
3) Imposing on the federal government “the obligation to eliminate poverty and promote social inclusion by establishing and implementing a strategy for poverty elimination in consultation with the provincial, territorial, municipal and Aboriginal governments and with civil society organizations”
4) Requiring the federal strategy to have short, medium and long term targets to eliminate poverty;
5) Establishing the “Office of the Poverty Elimination Commissioner”, independent of government and to help hold the federal government to account for progress in addressing poverty; and
6) Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to include “social condition” as a prohibited ground of discrimination.
Bill C-545 aligns with the second goal of Dignity for All: The Campaign for a Poverty-free Canada, which calls for “a federal anti-poverty Act that ensures enduring federal commitment and accountability for results.” Over the summer, it is expected that individuals and organizations behind the campaign and/or with related efforts will be encouraging all Members of Parliament to support the bill and ensure its passage into history-making law.
Canada Without Poverty and the CWP Advocacy Network congratulate Mr. Martin and Mr. Lessard for helping introduce Bill C-545 into the House. We hope all Members of Parliament and Senators will now work to ensure its passage into law.
