Thank you, Chair.
We added Jean and Shirley to our panel, which was great. It indicates the level of interest. I just met Dawn McInnis, who is in the back of the room. She is with the Canadian Association of Social Workers, and ideally we would have had her present. I did suggest I would read into the record some of her recommendations, if I could, Chair.
She was speaking about the federal role in anti-poverty. I will encapsulate some of this and perhaps we can take this as evidence, Dawn, as well.
The federal government has no official plan to combat poverty. Different organizations have proposed such a role. She references Canada Without Poverty and has argued for a rights-based approach with special reference to United Nations international agreements that speak to economic and social rights.
The National Council of Welfare, which we have heard from in Ottawa, has proposed four cornerstones to ensure lasting solutions: first, a national anti-poverty strategy with long-term vision and measurable targets; second, a plan of action and budget that coordinates within and across governments; third, a government accountability structure to ensure results and consult Canadians; and, fourth, a set of agreed poverty indicators.
It references Campaign 2000, who we've heard from, the 25 in 5 Network, calling upon the federal government to adopt a poverty reduction strategy with targets and timelines, dedicated fiscal resources, accountability, public reporting and consultation with those who have lived in poverty, and coordination with first nations and aboriginal communities. It references the Dignity for All campaign, which we have heard from, that was launched this year to eliminate poverty and build a socially cohesive country by 2010.
It also speaks about other work that has been done, some by parliamentary committees, one focusing on urban poverty and the other focusing on rural poverty.
Dawn, I thank you for bringing those to our attention, and we'll have that on the record.
Chair, thank you for your indulgence.