Poverty Elimination Act

In June 2010, Pat Martin, the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, introduced a Private Member’s Bill into the House of Commons. The object of the Bill is to end poverty in Canada. A strategy to eliminate poverty and to promote social inclusion would be adopted by the Government of Canada and an independent Office of the Poverty Elimination Commissioner would be set up.

To prepare the strategy, there would be consultations with provincial, territorial, municipal and Aboriginal governments and with civil society organizations. The objectives and contents of the strategy are set out in the Bill along with the factors that must be taken into account in addressing poverty elimination. Members of Cabinet would have to prepare a consultation paper within one year of the Bill coming into force. This paper would be reviewed and commented on by a parliamentary committee, the National Council of Welfare and the Poverty Elimination Commissioner. Over the next year, a consultation process that includes those with lived experience of poverty would be undertaken. Then the strategy would be submitted to Cabinet. After that, there would be a report every year by the Cabinet to the House of Commons and to the Senate, including the strategy, poverty data and a progress report on poverty elimination and social inclusion.

The Poverty Elimination Commissioner would monitor the implementation of the strategy and continue the consultation process. The Commissioner would report to members of Cabinet every four years. These Cabinet Members would then be required to revise the strategy and deliver it to the House of Commons and the Senate along with the Commissioner’s report.

The Canadian Human Rights Act would also be amended to include “social condition” as a prohibited ground of discrimination.

The process outlined in the Bill is not that exciting. Mr. Martin was constrained by the rules of the House of Commons which prohibit Private Member’s Bills from requiring the government to spend money. However, the preamble to the Bill is an inspiring recitation of the causes and effects of poverty in Canada and should be read by everyone concerned with social inequality.