2007 National Vital Signs Report
Comments - Dr. Erminie Cohen
After reviewing the Community Foundation of Canada’s first national Vital Signs report I was reminded of an old saying “the more things change the more things remain the same”. Our economy is buoyant, our unemployment is the lowest it has been in generations, yet it must be recognized that 20% of our population live in poverty.
What is happening to this great accomplishment of Canadian society, one which guarantees an income when in need, access to education, free medical care, affordable decent shelter and nutritious food?
1996 was declared the International Year for Eradication of Poverty by United Nations; unfortunately its designation was largely ignored by politicians, policy makers and the public here in Canada. The UN gave us a second chance by declaring the decade 1997 to 2006 for the Eradication of Poverty. Sadly over a year has passed since the end of the decade and the gap is growing. Over the past 25 years there has been barely a ripple in the fight against poverty. In order to fashion a strong social fabric we need to weave in many threads. These threads have been well defined by the Vital Signs communities and their compilation of the ten issue areas.
One vital thread is adequate and affordable housing; the absence of which has been found to increase the likelihood of many social problems, such as family violence, stress, low self esteem, learning difficulties. Health issues like malnutrition also occur among the “under housed”. It has well documented that home ownership and subsidized housing offers stability. People in poverty in the private rental market move often looking for affordable rent. This instability is very hard on children who suffer through school changes, making new friends and ending neighbourhood relationships. Rising housing costs and a shortage of subsidized housing in relation to lower incomes has been identified as one of the major reasons for the origin and growth of food banks. Hunger results when people are forced to use disproportionate amounts of their income on housing and not enough left to feed their families.
How can children learn when we see evidence of anxiety, poor health, acute social behaviour and in some cases delayed vocabulary development? How can they aspire to higher education or even graduation under these conditions?
Other threads needed in the social fabric include alternative programs for youth at risk, who learn by doing and many of whom have unrecognized, underdeveloped manual skills (skills needed in the labour force of today and tomorrow). In addition we need to emphasize prevention in health, encourage parenting skills and provide affordable childcare options. And we need mentors who live around the corner and who are there for us. What a wonderful opportunity in which to engage aging citizens.
A job may be the best social program. But to access a job and be successful in it a person must have a variety of supports which create the opportunity for the individual to earn and learn in a secure but challenging environment.
There are many vibrant communities in Canada who have taken action by creating partnerships with government, business, community organizations, people in poverty and labour groups. We have individual citizens who initiate action in their communities but until our legislators position the issue of poverty as a priority on the political agenda, the issue of poverty will be persistent not only for this generation but for generations to come. We must raise the public consciousness of the nation and it begins at the top.
Dr. Erminie J. Cohen, retired Canadian senator, Saint John, New Brunswick
