Poverty
Resource:
The Official Position of the Canadian AIDS Society on Poverty and HIV
Background
Poverty continues to be a serious issue in the AIDS Community in Canada. Living in poverty is a determinant of health that increases vulnerability to HIV and conversely, people who are diagnosed with HIV are at risk of falling into poverty. People living with HIV/AIDS who experience poverty or economic insecurity are at risk of having their disease progress quickly and have a lower quality of life. The Canadian AIDS Society commits to pursuing alliances with organizations and community-based movements that work to end poverty and discrimination against economically marginalized individuals and will continue to ensure that the voice and experience of people living with HIV/AIDS is reflected in all of our work related to poverty and income security.
Questions to Ask Local Candidates
- In order for a single person to live above the poverty line in an urban centre in Canada, they must make $10 an hour at full time full year work. The federal minimum wage was abolished in 1996 and replaced by provincial and territorial minimum wage rates, all of which are below the $10 an hour rate needed to escape poverty. Will your party reinstate the federal minimum wage at $10 an hour and index it?
- Lack of affordable, quality childcare is one of the major barriers preventing families in low income from obtaining work. Lack of childcare also has a disproportionate impact on women. Will your party commit to raising the annual Child Tax Benefit to $5100 per child and restore agreements with provinces and territories for child care programs?
- Despite a healthy economy, the number of people living in poverty in Canada has remained high and for some groups, such as recent immigrants and youth, has increased significantly. Economic growth and tax cuts have not solved this challenge. What steps will you and your party take towards eradicating poverty in Canada? Would you support the development and implementation of a poverty reduction strategy for Canada?