Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. The motion that was dealt with by the House in 1989 was to seek to achieve the goal of eliminating and not to eliminate. I just wanted to point that out for the member.
The issue of poverty is related to this issue because of the growing number of lone parent families in Canada. They represent about one out of six families, but they also account for 46% of all children living in poverty. The member raised a very important point and we have to do something about it.
The single largest cause of poverty is family breakdown. Family breakdown has to do with the significant level of domestic violence in Canada, with alcohol and drug abuse, and with the financial stress on couples. These are social problems on which we have made no progress.
I agree with the member. We have to do something. I do not know what we will do with domestic violence other than take some stronger, tough love measures and start reporting more cases, charging more people and protecting victims. We need to do some important work in that regard.
I thank the member for raising the issue of poverty. It will be an important issue for the House for some time.