The Issue of Poverty in Canada - Term Paper Example

Poverty In Canada Introduction "Poverty in Canada" is the topic chosen by me to construct the heath and wellness issues prevailing in Canada and present the ever increasing problem of poverty both from personal as well as societal aspect. This will increase my awareness towards the basic causes behind such massive problems within Canada as well as internationally. I've chosen this particular topic as it has been seen that challenges such as homelessness, unaffordable rents and similar monetary needs are faced by most of the individuals of Canada. So, I wanted to have a deep knowledge of the issue of poverty, its causes and possible remedies to improve the situation in Canada. Summary / Abstract Canada has no official definition of poverty and the methods of measuring it or any officially set poverty lines. Most of the Canadians dwelling in the prosperous cities like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are very proud of their wealth and business opportunities. But this is not the real case projected, as it has been noticed that it is amongst such prospering and flourishing communities where the staggering amounts of poverty exists. New learnings show that Canada's urban areas are facing a rise in the problems as homelessness, drug abuse, child poverty, unaffordable basic day to day needs etc. The phenomenon of poverty is always interrelated to political, social and cultural dimensions. But the most important missing point is the lack of government income supports. The evidences of this can be seen in the efforts of World Vision Canada, "taking steps to put global poverty on the Canadian federal election agenda". (1) (1) Strutzenberger. Michelle. News. World Vision Canada aims to address underlying causes of poverty. October 8, 2008. The two objectives are the main concern of the upcoming elections in Canada, to be put by the organization. The first is that the government of Canada must make concrete investments in combating child morality. And another one is that the government should increase the Overseas Development Assistance to 0.7% of the Gross National Income, as promised previously. These are the clear evidences of the prevailing problem of poverty in Canada. The truth is that the total eradication of poverty requires "not only the political action but also the deeper social, economic and cultural transformation". (2). Similar is the call for self-responsibility. My project explores the dimensions of poverty in Canada, response to poverty including policy change as well as societal transformation. It also includes the missing as well as prevalent resources and the access to them. (2) Ending Poverty in Canada. Economic Justice Report. Volume 4, Number 2. June 2005. It has been rightly stated in 'Evangelical Fellowship of Canada' that, "No matter what our social places or tasks, individuals and groups can address poverty. For example, journalists can report on the causes, extent and solutions for poverty; business people can address employment issues; schools and teachers can help address poverty and learning. Whatever the unique task of each institution, however, all can aim to sustain life, reverse the cycle of poverty, and help prevent further poverty." Assumptions Before any of the research work conducted by me there were a few assumptions in mind regarding the issue of poverty in Canada. The first assumption was that I thought that the poverty cropped in the small cities of Canada as the big ones as Vancouver and Montreal seemed quite flourishing and advanced having great wealth. But as per my research, it has been noted that many of the people are left behind while the rich keep accumulating the wealth. And the poverty is "increased throughout" and "more so in metropolitan areas" which constitutes a more serious problem. (3) (3) Lee. Kevin K. Urban Poverty in Canada: A statistical Profile. Chapter 6.April 2000. My second assumption was about the active participation of the government on the issue of poverty in Canada. Although all levels of government operate programs working against poverty yet there is no equal sharing of opportunities within communities and among communities. The government of Canada whereas needs to step up with "Poverty Reduction Strategy", "another missed opportunity" and to change the policies in order to address the real poverty. (4) (4) Action.web. Decter. Anne. National Coordinator of Campaign. 2000. Options and Strategies to improve the Poverty in Canada Looking at the issue of poverty in Canada there is a dire need to formulate a few strategies to deal with the existing problem and to reduce it genuinely not only in words but also in practice. People of Canada are quite aware of the increasing problem of poverty in their country. The ultimate goal is to make the families and the communities reach a point of self-sufficiency. Among various strategies one directly goes with the steps taken by the government to make the issue a part of election platform. As stated in the News Poverty Agenda, it has been concluded that an effective anti-poverty strategy depends on a wide range of instruments as income transfers, early childhood interventions, asset-building strategies, education, housing and social service etc. This is a new learning of the times and requires a judicial balancing of all such general programs within each community. When specified to the particular group of the people earning low income, the best way to reduce poverty is to get money into their hands by adopting various practical methods as affordable housing, education and training. Referring to the relative measures i.e. the income inequality rising the condition of poverty, the editor of CIW e-bulletin says, "absolute poverty measures may be an appropriate benchmark for Third World countries, but Canada and other industrialized nations should be more concerned about measuring social inclusion and income inequality (i.e., relative measures) than the contents and generosity of a market basket of goods (absolute measures)." (5) (5) CIW e-bulletin. The New Poverty Agenda. August 2008. For achieving any results, along with the government there is a need for private sectors, community groups and citizens to work together to address poverty. Governments are held responsible for any of responses of poverty anywhere but it is a duty of private sector, to work as a main engine and the other community groups, to work as support services to play an equally important role. The major missing element is a need of social, economic and cultural transformation of all the communities facing poverty in Canada. And government investment as a step towards controlling the situation will happen only with the deeper cultural change in public values and priorities. Mary Jo Leddy has rightly observed and said in the book Radical Gratitude that, "Genuine social and political change can happen only if it is based on or accompanied by an attempt to transfer the spirit of craving and dissatisfaction." (6) (6) Marry Jo Leddy.. Radical Gratitude. 2002. Pg: 31 Other missing elements dependent entirely in government of Canada are the lack of adequate paying jobs, precarious work arrangements, racism and sexism in workforce and above all the lack of enforcement of employment standards. These are not totally missing but proper access and impartment of policies need to be catered upon. To reduce the seriousness of the issue and to create a better situation the first call is for greater "self-responsibility" leaving the issues beyond individual control. "Political change and policy change" are the important for eliminating poverty along with increased income supports, accessibility to the quality services without any bias, increase in public funded services as child care, housing and recreation programs etc. (7) (7) Kairos Canada. Ending Poverty in Canada. June, 2005. Canada doesn't lack the resources as poverty here is not due to lack of wealth but due to way of unbalanced distribution and factors lacking the issue as "inadequate market income, insufficient government transfers and supports and individual family characteristics." (8) (8) Picot, G. Miles, J. 2005. Income Inequality and Low Income in Canada: An International Perspective. Impact on Me After researching the minutest details of the present conditions of poverty in Canada, it had a deep impact on me for the ones living in poverty, bereft even of the basic amenities of life. The prevailing and projected solutions so far have not proved significantly beneficial. So, I subjectively think that it is not only the duty of the government but of every one in Canada to raise the voice for equal distribution of the good income jobs and facilities so that the strategies once formulated must also be implemented. This needs to be supported by various organizations, groups and communities to eradicate or solve the problem of poverty. Sources 1. Strutzenberger. Michelle. News. World Vision Canada. October 8, 2008. November 12, 2008. 2. Ending Poverty in Canada. Economic Justice Report. June 2005. November 12, 2008 3. Lee. Kevin K. Urban Poverty in Canada: A statistical Profile. Chapter 6. April 2000. November 12, 2008 < http://www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2000/up/chapter6.pdf> 4. CIW e-bulletin. The New Poverty Agenda. August 2008. November 12, 2008 < http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/poverty.htm> 5. Picot, G. Miles, J. Income Inequality and Low Income in Canada: An International Perspective. 2005. November 12, 2008 Read More