2006:02 NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY LEGISLATION
Whereas: poverty is an underlying cause of marginalization and social exclusion which undermines the social fabric of any society; and
Whereas: Canada was rebuked by the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee (January 2004) for economic policies that exacerbate the serious gap between the rich and the poor; and
Whereas: on November 24, 1989, the Parliament of Canada passed an all-party resolution, unanimously, to eradicate Child Poverty within ten years; and
Whereas: Quebec’s National Assembly committed “to making poverty reduction an explicit and central policy priority” by passing unanimously Bill 112, Anti-Poverty Law in December 2002; and
Whereas: Canada has supported the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, but to date has not taken strong action to implement measures that would eliminate serious poverty suffered by some Canadians; therefore be it
Resolved: that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy support for the development and promotion of national anti-poverty legislation; and be it further
Resolved: that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to collaborate with Provincial and Territorial governments and with aboriginal organizations and governing bodies, and to consult with civil society to develop anti-poverty legislation that includes a strategy to eliminate poverty by addressing the systemic barriers to full social participation by all Canadians and which contains accountability measures for government; and be it further
Resolved: that the National Council of Women of Canada urge its federates, especially the Provincial and Local Councils of Women, to work with their respective governments to develop and pass anti-poverty legislation; and be it further
Resolved: that the National Council of Women of Canada request the International Council of Women to:
a. adopt as policy support for the development and the promotion of international anti-poverty legislation; and
b. urge their federated National Councils of Women to request their national governments to develop and pass anti-poverty legislation in support of the UN Millennium Goals.