NDP marks 25th anniversary of pledge to eliminate poverty with call for action

NDP marks 25th anniversary of pledge to eliminate poverty with call for action

Cindy Forster

QUEEN’S PARK–NDP Community and Social Services Critic Cindy Forster condemns the Liberal government for failing to address poverty in Ontario following a new report showing that over half a million Ontario children are still living in poverty.

“This report clearly lays out the failures of this Liberal government to address child poverty,” said Forster.  “It’s shameful that on the 25th anniversary of the pledge eliminate child poverty, over 550,000 Ontario children are still living in poverty,” said Forster.

Forster said after years of cuts, missed deadlines and broken promises to eliminate poverty, it’s time for a real plan, timelines and dedicated funding to finally tackle this provincial crisis.

On November 24th, 1989, the Leader of the Federal NDP rose in the House of Commons to propose that child poverty be eliminated within ten years. That resolution passed with unanimous support. Twenty-five years later, and more than a decade of broken promises by the Ontario Liberal government, child poverty is increasing in Ontario.

Ed Broadbent

“The Liberal budget is going to slash 6 per cent per year out of almost every ministry. Those deep cuts, year after year, are only going to make life harder for families to get out of poverty.”

Forster noted that the Liberals broke their 2008 promise reduce child poverty by 25 per cent within five years. The Liberals continue to claw-back increases to the Ontario Child Benefit from single parents on social assistance, and have announced plans to eliminate the Work-Related benefit for ODSP recipients. The most recent Liberal budget has been described by Bloomberg as containing ‘the biggest cuts since Harris’ (http://bloom.bg/1qzpBt3), which will hurt the most vulnerable families the most.

“Campaign 2000 says, ‘austerity has eroded the living conditions of children and their families’ (http://bit.ly/1uxd7US), but the Liberals’ are moving full-steam ahead with an austerity plan that will only make life harder,” continued Forster.

“If the Liberals were serious about keeping their promise to reduce child poverty, they would have a deadline to get the job done,” said Forster. “But, instead, the Liberals are focused on making deep cuts that will hurt families. It’s appalling.”

(PRESS RELEASE)