Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Here is a letter the co-chairs of Make Poverty History sent Stephen Harper on March 1st …

Dear Prime Minister,

Congratulations on your election as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister.

Make Poverty History is a broadly-based campaign, linked to a global effort active in more than 80 countries. Here in Canada over 700 organizations and a quarter million individuals have endorsed the campaign objectives of more and better aid, trade justice, cancellation of the debts of the poorest countries, and eradication of child poverty in Canada. During the recent federal election, sixty Conservative candidates publicly supported these goals. One hundred and seventy eight members of the new Parliament, from all parties, have publicly supported our campaign objectives. Now is the moment to transform this majority support into concrete action.

Mr. Prime Minister, we are writing to request your leadership to Make Poverty History at two crucial moments in the near future.

1. The first opportunity for decisive action presents itself as you prepare the Speech from the Throne. In this Speech, we invite you to make ending poverty an enduring theme of the next Parliament and your government.

On February 17, 2005 we were pleased to note your signature of a letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin which advocated a legislated mandate for Canadian official development assistance (ODA). The 2006 Speech from the Throne is therefore an opportune moment to clearly state that Canada will deliver ODA for the express purpose of poverty reduction within the framework of a legislated mandate. Mechanisms for monitoring ODA, favouring accountability and reporting to Parliament, would all be salient aspects of such a legislated mandate for ODA. We believe that the Canadian public would welcome such a commitment to enhanced public clarity and transparency.

2. A second and most important opportunity for action against poverty will present itself in the preparation and presentation of the federal budget. Make Poverty History supporters will be watching for the inclusion of at least two substantial elements:

Growth of Official Development Assistance. The commitment to increase ODA to the OECD average by 2010 (as promised in Stand Up For Canada) should be budgeted at a minimum. As well, you will recall that in June 2005, Parliament unanimously adopted a motion committing Canada to achieve the international standard of 0.7% of GNI for international aid spending by 2015. A focused, accountable approach to steady and predictable increases to reach this 0.7% target by 2015 should be established in the 2006-2007 budget.

Action to end child poverty. One of the most effective ways to improve the lives of children living in poverty would be to raise the child tax benefit. A clear timeline to quickly raise the Canada Child Tax Benefit to $4,900 per child should be announced in the 2006-2007 budget. Additionally, to allow low income families across Canada to achieve financial security and independence, support for high quality child care services is essential. We urge you to honour the child care agreements signed with the provincial governments. Families with children need income supports as well as publicly funded child care services.

Mr. Harper, the members of the Steering Committee of Make Poverty History would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you at your convenience, as well as with your Ministers and senior officials, to discuss these proposals. Our goals and specific proposals are supported by a large majority of Parliamentarians, as well as welcomed by the Canadian public.

Thank you for your consideration of our proposals, as well as our request to meet with you and representatives of your government to discuss these pressing issues. We look forward to working with you to make progress against poverty in 2006.

Sincerely yours,

Gerry Barr and Maria-Luisa Monreal, Co-Chairs, Make Poverty History