Madam Speaker, I am pleased the member included in his remarks comments with regard to poverty in Canada. I think all members will agree that the best way to approach a problem is first to understand it.
The member will know of some current research, for instance the research study of the Golden task force on the homelessness situation. It identified that 35% of the homeless in Toronto were mentally ill, which I expect is reflective of other urban communities across the country; 28% were youth who had been alienated from their families, and of those 70% had experienced physical or sexual abuse; 10% were abused women; and 18% were aboriginals off reserve. That accounts for a very significant proportion, over 80% of the homeless in Toronto.
The member well knows this is a symptom of poverty but is not the sole cause. The social housing issue the member raises certainly is important. He will also know that one parent families, which account for about 12% of all families in Canada, also account for over 50% of all children living in poverty.
There is not a simple solution to poverty and homelessness in Canada. There is certainly an economic poverty that has to be addressed. We have to be vigilant on that. I think the member would agree, and I would be interested in his comments, that there is a social poverty in Canada that also has to be addressed.