Inequality and Poverty in Our Times: A Legacy for the Future?

1. Inequality and Poverty in Our Times: A Legacy for the Future? Federation of University Women May 14, 2011

2. Poverty Myths & Stereotypes • Poverty is the failure of the individual: lazy, low moral values. • The poor do not want to work or they would get a job. • Welfare rates are too generous, it is pretty good in Ontario. • The welfare system is rife with cheating and fraud. • Poor people need to be taught basic life skills like budgeting. • Poor families are poor because they have too many children. • We cannot afford the social programs needed to eliminate poverty. • All children in Canada are assured a decent start in life.

3. Poverty “Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligations, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime. Poverty eradication is an achievable goal.” (Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” (Nelson Mandela)

4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Dec 1948) “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself (herself) and of his (her) family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his (her) control.” (Article 25)

5. www.equalitytrust.org.uk Health and Social Problems are Worse in More Unequal Countries • Index of: • Life expectancy • Math & Literacy • Infant Mortality • Homicides • Imprisonment • Teenage Births • Trust • Obesity • Mental illness—incl. drug and alcohol • Social Mobility Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009)

6. A Social Imperative Chronic Poverty is Corrosive to an Inclusive Ontario • Nearly 1,750,000 residents of Ontario continue to live in poverty. • Ontario remains the child poverty centre of Canada with nearly 43% of all poor children in the country (2006). • More than 41% of Ontario children in poverty have one parent working full-year, full-time. • Living in poverty is becoming increasingly racialized. • The growing income gap is leading to neighbourhood concentrations of privilege and disadvantage.

7. An Economic Imperative – Poverty Eradication Contributes to the Economic Health of Ontario • A top quality labour force is a high priority for the future prosperity of Ontario. (TD Economics, Sept. 2008) • “Our poverty reduction strategy is not only the right thing to do, it is critical for our future economic success. Ontario needs all of its citizens to be strong if we want to compete in the global economy. We cannot afford to let anyone fall behind.” Premier McGuinty, Letter to 25 in 5, Oct. 1, 2008 • A high quality of life is critical to attracting international investment and business to the province. (Ontario International Trade Minister Pupatello as cited by Wolfe, The Wellesley Institute, 2008)

8. A Fiscal Imperative – Major Investment in Poverty Eradication is Fiscally Responsible • A previous generation of Canadians living through the Depression accepted the necessity for governments to borrow for the war effort and to invest in post-war reconstruction and prosperity. • Strengthening the incomes of vulnerable families and adults and investing in housing and child care will reduce poverty, and stimulate demand in local economies across Ontario. • The Cost of Poverty: • The total cost of poverty in Ontario is equal to 5.5 to 6.6 per cent of Ontario's GDP. • In real terms, poverty costs every Ontario household between $2, 000 and $3,000 per year

9. Incidence of Low Income by Select Groups (2005)

10. Poverty Trends • Poverty rate is relatively constant • Poverty is deepening • Feminization of poverty • Racialization of poverty

11. Social Determinants of Health Challenges

12. Community Defined Access • Programs and services that allow for access with dignity. • People should not feel “less “as the result of asking for assistance to meet basic needs or to become part of community. • This may also mean that a program or service embraces the contributions of those who are willing to contribute to make a program or service the best that it can be. • Next people talked about programs and services that provide goods and services that are “quality”. • Second rate, dented, and expired do not reflect quality and they take away from dignity. • Affordability is critical and intuitive to access. • People would prefer to be able to purchase their own goods and services, making all their own choices within a framework of affordability. That would contribute to dignity. • Finally location was listed as essential for access. • When income and transportation are challenges opportunities need to be close to home.

13. What We Have Learned About Poverty • Poverty produces deprivation and exclusion • Poverty is a strong indicator of health • Poverty is a strong indicator of educational achievement • Poverty means greater instability, crime and fear • Economic growth alone is insufficient to address the multiple dimensions of poverty • More equal societies do better

14. Action for a Poverty Free Ontario: Three Goals • Ensuring liveable incomes • Investing in strong and supportive communities • Local neighbourhood action • Sustaining employment

15. Foundation for Liveable Incomes • Making the Ontario Child Benefit Count • Transformation of Social Assistance/Welfare • Social Assistance Review • Adequacy and dignity • End deep poverty • Immediate changes to punitive and degrading rule changes • Pension Reform • New Housing Benefit

16. Foundation for Strong and Supportive Communities • Invest in building stable community agencies – social infrastructure • Transportation – accessible and affordable • Affordable housing • Early Learning and Child Care • Equity and Anti-Racism • Education as a key to success

17. Foundation for Sustaining Employment: Good Jobs for All • Assure basic living wages • Card based certification • Equal protection for workers in precarious employment • EI-Employment Insurance • Employment equity program • Employment supports

18. Local Action • Build alliances for a society with greater equality? Who are our allies? How do we work together? • Neighbourhoods are lifelines • Place based action – talk to your neighbours • Community Education – break the myths • Do the Math and tell your story • Advocate – support the Campaign Put Food in the Budget

19. Conclusion Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009)

20. Inequality and Poverty in Our Times: A Legacy for the Future? www.cdhalton.ca