Despite being a wealthy economic nation, Canada does not have a good record in dealing with hunger and poverty according to anti-poverty activists. On Thursday (October 17) the International Day for Eradication of Poverty they will be calling for the Canadian government to deal with the issue in a special campaign called “Dignity for All“.
According to the campaign, almost one million Canadians use food banks each month. Millions more cannot access the food they need. And Canada is ranked near the bottom of developed countries in dealing with poverty.
On Thursday, volunteers in 12 Canadian cities will distribute a paper bag with the words “Chew on This!” and a postcard describing the food security situation in Canada with a list of demands addressed to Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The campaign wants the federal government to create a plan for poverty elimination, to enact a federal act to promote social inclusion, and strengthen social security.
The Dignity for All campaign is supported by 612 groups and more than 10,000 individuals across Canada.
RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda spoke about the issue of poverty and hunger in Canada with Leilani Farha, the Executive Director of the not-for-profit group “Canada Without Poverty” which is coordinating the nation-wide “Dignity for All” campaign.
More information:
Dignity for All website – www.dignityforall.ca
Canada Without Poverty website – www.cwp-csp.ca
UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty website – here
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