Bill C-233
Poverty Elimination Act
An Act to eliminate poverty in Canada
Sponsor
Jean Crowder NDP
Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)
Status
Introduction and First Reading
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Elsewhere
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Jinny Sims Newton—North Delta, BC
Mr. Speaker, in the second petition, petitioners are expressing their support for Bill C-233, an act to eliminate poverty in Canada.
It continues to be a pleasure to represent the voices of the people of Newton—North Delta in this Parliament.
Jean Crowder Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls on the House to implement an act to eliminate poverty in Canada, Bill C-233. This would require the federal government to develop and implement a strategy for poverty elimination in consultation with the provincial, territorial, municipal and aboriginal governments and with civil society organizations.
Malcolm Allen Welland, ON
Mr. Speaker, I wish to present a petition today signed by literally hundreds of members across my constituency in relation to Bill C-233.
The petitioners are supportive of that bill as we attempt to eradicate poverty in this country in a joint manner between the federal government and the provinces. It should be noted that these constituents are extremely proud to stand with us in support of Bill C-233.
Jean Crowder Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, the second petition I have to present has to do with Bill C-233, an act to eliminate poverty in Canada.
The petitioners indicate that a majority of provincial and territorial governments have adopted poverty reduction strategies but are limited in the extent they are able to reduce poverty in their jurisdiction without support from the federal government. Bill C-233 would require the federal government to develop and implement strategy for poverty elimination in consultation with the provincial, territorial, municipal and aboriginal governments, and with the civil society organizations.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to ensure the swift passage of Bill C-233, an act to eliminate poverty in Canada.
Glenn Thibeault Sudbury, ON
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today to introduce two petitions. The first is on behalf of many residents from my great riding of Sudbury and the surrounding ridings of Nickel Belt and Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing. The petitioners call on the government to ensure swift passage of Bill C-233, An Act to eliminate poverty in Canada. The petitioners want to draw to the attention of the House of Commons the fact that poverty affects over 10% of Canadians and disproportionately affects aboriginal peoples, recent immigrants, people with disabilities and youth and children.
October 18th, 2012 / 3:45 p.m.
See
context
Scott Wolfe Federal Coordinator, Canadian Association of Community Health Centres
Thank you.
The good news is that we can change this and we know how.
For starters, we know that an increasing number of Canadians simply do not have the personal and household income and resources required to achieve and maintain health. A widening income gap and the lack of access to adequate and affordable housing across Canada are two key factors. These growing financial pressures and our eroding social safety nets at federal and provincial levels mean that many households simply cannot afford to access the nutritious food, the recreational activity programs, the family supports, and other resources needed to maintain well-being. We must level the playing field and we must give families and communities across Canada the opportunity to access the necessary preconditions for health.
I'm going to move along to our recommendations very quickly. We recognize that these five recommendations don't cover the full spectrum of actions necessary to get us to where we need to go. However, they do provide a launching pad, and we believe they act as key enablers.
The first of these is to design and adequately invest in a federal poverty reduction strategy, such as the one outlined currently in Bill C-233, An Act to eliminate poverty in Canada. This plan must complement provincial and territorial initiatives.
Second is to adopt and implement Bill C-400, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, thereby establishing a desperately needed federal housing strategy.
Third is to negotiate with the provinces and territories a new 10-year health accord, with stable and adequate funding at a minimum 6% escalator over the coming years, and to protect the Canada Health Act within it.
Fourth is to establish a federal pharmacare program and further protect the health and well-being of Canadians by exempting health care—including this new federal pharmacare program—from CETA and other trade agreements.
Fifth is to expand and invest in access for Canadians to high-quality, team-based, primary health care by establishing a federal strategy and funding for a pan-Canadian network of community health centres.
Jean Crowder Nanaimo—Cowichan, BC
Mr. Speaker, the last petition I am presenting in the House of Commons has to do with Bill C-233. The petitioners are calling on Parliament to quickly pass Bill C-233, An Act to eliminate poverty in Canada.
Irene Mathyssen London—Fanshawe, ON
Madam Speaker, I have a petition from a number of residents in my riding, which I will attempt to summarize.
These petitioners are very concerned about the effects of poverty. Ten percent of Canadians live in poverty in a country that is incredibly rich. Among those are aboriginal people, recent immigrants and persons living with disabilities. We know that one in eight children in this country live in poverty.
The petitioners ask the Government of Canada to implement Bill C-233. This bill would require the federal government to develop and implement a strategy for poverty elimination in consultation, of course, with the provinces, territories, municipalities and aboriginal governments. Civil society is very concerned about the effects of poverty on our entire community.
Nina Grewal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today on behalf of the constituents of Fleetwood--Port Kells to present a petition signed by a number of residents of my riding.
The petitioners call upon Parliament to ensure the swift passage of Bill C-233, an act to eliminate poverty in Canada and develop and implement a strategy for poverty elimination.
Scott Simms Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
Mr. Speaker, I have a petition signed by constituents who want to eliminate poverty in Canada.
The petitioners point out that individuals living in poverty suffer more health problems and have lower life expectancy as a result, that these rights are guaranteed under international covenants as well as the Canadian Human Rights Act and that it threatens the cohesion and progress of society in general.
Therefore, the petitioners call on the federal government, along with its provincial and territorial counterparts, to come up with a good strategy that reduces poverty. Bill C-233 would require the federal government to develop and implement a strategy. They implore the House to support that.
I thank the constituents in towns such as Grand Falls—Windsor, Bishop's Falls, Gander and Harbour Breton.