It has been nearly two months since the last Dignity for All Campaign Mobilization Update, on June 17^th.  In a few short weeks, September will be here and then September 20 and the re-opening of Parliament.  This fall could be an electric time in Ottawa and in the federal context, with the possibility of an election and with a lot going on re: poverty issues.  Hope everyone is getting some much needed rest and relaxation to be ready by the fall for energetic action in support of the Dignity Campaign and other and related efforts.

 

1)      The Dignity for All Campaign has three goals: (1) a federal plan for poverty elimination that complements provincial and territorial plans; (2) a federal anti-poverty Act that ensures enduring federal commitment and accountability for results; and (3) sufficient federal investment in social security for all Canadians. 

 

2)      As of August 8^th, 357 groups have endorsed the campaign: since the last campaign mobilization update, the most recent (in chronological order of endorsement) are Curé (St-Donat-de-Montcalm, QC), Nelson CARES Society (Nelson, BC), Halton-Peel Humanist Community (Oakville, ON), Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, City of Vancouver, Hospital Employees' Union (Burnaby, BC), British Columbia Teachers' Federation, Operation Sharing - Food For Friends (Woodstock, ON), Opportunities Waterloo Region (Kitchener, ON), Scarborough Interfaith Affordable Housing Association, Developmental Disability Resource Centre of Calgary, CAW Local 444 (Windsor, ON), and Peel District School Board (Mississauga, ON).  Welcome to you all!

 

3)      As of August 8^th, 57 MPs (2 Conservative, 25 Liberal, 29 NDP, 1 Bloc Québécois), 12 Senators (2 Conservative, 10 Liberal) and Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, have endorsed the campaign.  The campaign is thus presently supported by 17% of all MPs and Senators.  We need to boost these numbers higher – ideally to top at least 50% of all MPs and we should be able to get there with a sustained push this fall.  The next Hill phone day is scheduled for Thursday September 16.  If you and/or your organization call help on this day, to make one or more calls to MPs and Senators who have not yet endorsed the campaign, please send a message to Vicky Snyder at Canada Without Poverty, copied on this message.  Vicky will track all the positive responses to this request and we will get ready in early September to coordinate this next Hill phone day.

 

4)      The campaign needs to push hard this fall in support of Bill C-545 and Bill C-304.  Bill C-545 (An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada) marks a significant step towards fulfilling the second goal of our campaign.  Were it to pass into law, it would mandate a federal plan to eliminate poverty, ensure critical mechanisms for accountability for progress, and achieve several other notable things.  Bill C-304 (An Act to secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians) would, if passed into law, require the federal government to work with all levels of government and stakeholders to develop a pan-Canadian strategy to end homelessness and pave the way to ensuring adequate housing as a fundamental human right for everyone in Canada.  Bill C-304 is scheduled for Third Reading on October 20^th.  Supported at present by the Liberals and New Democrats, it now requires the support of either the Conservative or Bloc parties or a combination of about 42 or 43 MPs from these parties.

 

5)      See the information below for the October 19 Red Tent National Day of Action for a National Housing Strategy (in further support of Bill C-304).  If your group can help sponsor one or more red tents ($100/tent) to be displayed on the Hill on that day, please effect your sponsorship action as soon as possible by visiting www.redtents.org, emailing housingnow@redtents.org or calling Dignity Campaign endorser, Pivot Legal Society, at (604) 255-9700.

All the best for your enjoyment of the remaining weeks of summer!  Rest up and recharge!

 

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