Will Paul Martin commit to social justice?

Catholic New Times, Jan 4, 2004 by Gerald Vandezande

Letter to the Editor

Will Paul Martin, the fiscal deficit slayer, now tackle Canada's social deficit? Will the PM-elect now declare his core-values, budget priorities and policy proposals that promote and protect the public good, including the poor and powerless?

The House of Commons Standing Committee's pre-budget consultations enabled Canadians to participate in "a national dialogue to share priorities, values and specific proposals that will contribute to our nation's success." Many made grateful use of this democratic opportunity to articulate which measures should be taken "to ensure progress in investing in, and caring for, all members of Canadian society."

Many participants advocate that the next budget contain more effective measures to help build a greater caring and sharing society. They include increasing federal investments in early childhood education and care; improving child benefits for low-income families; stopping the provincial claw-back of benefits from people receiving social assistance; and ensuring the availability of affordable housing.

We urged the Commons Committee to give priority attention to the worsening plight of needy families and hungry children by making specific budget allocations as well as good use of Ottawa's surplus ($7 billion for 2002-03).

We reminded the MPs of the critical observations by Canada's Auditor-General, Sheila Fraser, made public with the Government's financial statements for 2002: "I have become concerned in recent years with certain misinformation on what happens to the surplus for the year. The surplus for the year does NOT automatically pay down the debt. There is neither any law nor accounting rule that requires this." The challenge confronting Mr.

Martin is to take the lead and spell out his priorities. Canadians are entitled to know his social-justice commitments. We must hear how he will use the annual surplus and upcoming budgets to advance the human well being of all, especially vulnerable families and voiceless children.

Gerald Vandezande,

Scarborough, Ont.