The Make Poverty History campaign has over 250,000 people who have signed up in support of our campaign. We have an online network. I'm sure you've received emails from Make Poverty History supporters, because we have supporters in every riding across the country.
I think even pollsters have commented on the change in public opinion. It used to be that people in Canada thought the poor were a small minority, and they didn't need to worry about them because they themselves were safe. That is no longer the case. People are concerned. The economic crisis has created broader public support for doing something about poverty.
The other thing that has changed is that as we have tried to get across a positive message that poverty can be eliminated both globally and in Canada, people have supported that idea. They realize that it's the smart thing to do. We have to get away from thinking of poverty in terms of welfare and as a bottomless pit and that it will always be there. It can be eliminated.
Quebec and Newfoundland have shown a smart way of actually removing the barriers and preventing people from falling so deeply into poverty that it's hard to climb out. Having the employment insurance safety net there, having day care available to people, and having pharmacare available to people has actually reduced the number of people living in poverty by providing a positive way out. And that has reduced the costs for government, not only in the welfare bill but in health care, incarceration, and other things. So they have the money to pay for the investments that are necessary.
I will concede that it requires an upfront investment. You have to come up with the political will to put the investment up front, but it will pay off big time. Not only will it save government money, it will increase tax revenue and boost the economy. The best way to increase productivity is not to give more money to the high-tech sector. It is already highly productive. The most bang for your buck will come from investing in training and education and stimulation at the low end of the economy, where it's the least productive. That's where you have the most to gain. So it makes sense economically. I would argue that it also is imperative morally that we do something about poverty. Wherever you come from, I think we can all agree that everyone in Canada has a lot to gain from reducing poverty.