97.12PU Eliminating Child Poverty In Canada
Whereas, in 1991, the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) urged the Government of Canada to set an example for the provinces of Canada by adopting as its goal the reduction of the number of families in poverty by providing more adequate income support and by improving opportunities for self-support, and its Provincial and Local Councils to urge their respective provincial governments to adopt similar policy;
and,
Whereas, in 1994, NCWC urged the Government of Canada to halt the erosion of social programs, review the role and function of social programs with the provincial governments, and continue to engage in widespread consultation about new social program alternatives that will strengthen the social fabric and ensure the health and education of all citizens into the twenty-first century;
and,
Whereas, in 1989, the elected representatives in the House of Commons unanimously passed a resolution “to seek to achieve the goal of eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000”;
and,
Whereas, child poverty increased by 55% between 1989 and 1993, the gap between the rich and poor has grown steadily in Canada over recent years, and median family income decreased by 7% between 1990 and 1994;
and,
Whereas, the Child Tax Credit loses value all the time, being linked to inflation less 3%;
and,
Whereas, poverty and social status is the first determinant of health, and increasing child poverty puts long-term development of children at risk;
and,
Whereas, at the June 1996 meeting of the First Ministers, a national child-benefit plan was considered;
and,
Whereas, the provincial governments have different visions of the role of social programs and are looking for further decentralization of power vis-à-vis social programs;
therefore, be it
Resolved, that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to take a lead role in making the elimination of child poverty a priority issue in Canada by:
- Raising the Child Tax Credit for low and modest income families and fully indexing it to inflation;
- Instituting, without delay, a national child care program that will benefit low and modest income families;
- Working with the provinces to:
a) Find solutions to the shortage of decent, affordable housing for low and modest income families;
b) Develop standards of adequate income support for families with children, pregnant and nursing mothers;
c) Develop standards for support services for families with children;
and further, be it
Resolved, that the National Council of Women of Canada urge its Provincial and Local Councils to urge their respective governments to work with the Government of Canada to make the elimination of child poverty a priority issue and to develop standards and solutions for Canadian families with respect to child care, housing, adequate income, and support services.