Minority Report, Liberal Party of Canada

In 2007, the Committee agreed to undertake a study on poverty in Canada. The Committee, although interrupted by a general election and multiple prorogations, completed its study in October of 2010, having heard from hundreds of witnesses from across Canada as well as witnesses from around the world, including poverty reduction experts from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The Committee’s recommendations are thorough and represent the views of individuals, community groups, and businesses, anti poverty advocates, churches and other faith communities. The vast majority of the witnesses called for the establishment of a national strategy, in cooperation with provincial and local partners, to combat poverty in Canada

The Liberal Party agrees that Canada needs a long term collaborative strategy to combat poverty.

We recognize that governments operate within limited resources, and no government could implement all recommendations at once. It is unfortunate that the current government allowed the economic situation in Canada to deteriorate to the point that we had a structural deficit even prior to the current recession.

Limited resources, however, cannot be an excuse for inaction. Canadians support a role for the federal government to reduce poverty in Canada, and the Liberal Party agrees.

The Liberal Party would like to acknowledge the high degree of cooperation during its hearings. We believe all parties took this work seriously and thank all MPs who participated, particularly former Chair, Dean Allison.

We also want to thank Committee staff who worked above and beyond the call of duty throughout, both here in Ottawa and on the road. In particular, we wish to thank Madame Chantal Collin whose tireless efforts and commitment were inspiring to us all.