January 12, 2011
Dear: Prime Minister Stephan Harper, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Michael Ignatieff, Leader of Liberal Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the bloc Québécois
Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party
The citizen drive behind the fight against poverty in Canada has gained momentum in recent years with the adoption of six provincial poverty reduction strategies and the formal commitment of several municipalities to making poverty history in their communities. The Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), representing over 18,500 social workers from across Canada, applauds each step forward that builds the strength of commitment necessary to eliminate poverty in Canada.
In this regard, CASW was deeply encouraged by the recent report from the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee (HUMA) calling for the federal government to immediately commit to a federal action plan to reduce poverty in Canada. The HUMA Federal Poverty Reduction Plan: Working in Partnership Towards Reducing Poverty in Canada report is the result of an extensive three-year study on the federal role in addressing poverty and provides a blueprint to developing a national strategy to eliminate poverty in Canada.
The Government of Canada has 120 days to respond to the HUMA report and given the high probability of a federal election call prior to this deadline, CASW is seeking the commitment your political party to a national action plan to eliminate poverty in Canada.
To this end, CASW is seeking your pledge to making poverty elimination in Canada a central issue in the next election. Accordingly, CASW is formally requesting your party’s position and platform committing Canada to a national poverty reduction plan if your political party is to form the next Government of Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Darlene MacDonald, MSW, RSW
President, CASW