An opportunity to end poverty

Catholic New Times, May 21, 2006 by Gerald Vandezande

When considering the budget, from a democratic justice perspective, it is vitally important that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government and the opposition parties work together, set key budget priorities, make difficult but necessary fiscal policy choices, and implement equitable ways for Ottawa to advance the common good.

Indeed, special attention should be paid to the pressing basic needs of countless vulnerable children and families who daily experience de-humanizing poverty, hunger, homelessness and other crises.

Canada's major, moral challenges must include this deep realization: "We are convinced of the fundamental dignity and worth of each and every human being, without qualification." This core life-conviction was pointedly expressed in the Ottawa Manifesto that was publicly presented "To the Members of the House on behalf of those without homes," when Parliament convened on April 3.

More than 325 frontline workers and faith-community delegates gathered at the Street Level conference in Ottawa. They came from across Canada and met as the National Roundtable on Poverty and Homelessness and strongly urged the PM, all MPs and their parties "to make ending poverty a top priority." The Roundtable advocated that national, non-partisan efforts to end homelessness and poverty be included in Budget 2006 and future budgets.

Wouldn't it be great if Parliament actually demonstrated its fiscal (political) solidarity with desperate Canadians? Such historic action for the national common good would be a crucial affirmation of Parliament's constitutional responsibility to work conscientiously for "peace, order and good government" and, in the process, eliminate the democratic deficit.

Gerald Vandezande

Toronto