Recent data published by the Conference Board of Canada states more than 15 per cent of children in Canada are living in families whose income is below the poverty line and that this percentage has been increasing since the mid-1990s. According to OECD data cited by the Conference Board, Canada ranks 15th among 17 peer countries.
This data appears to refute Colin Mayes’ claims that the Conservative government’s economic policies have addressed child poverty in Canada. Like all Conservative government claims, it is difficult to determine fact from political spin.
Canada’s record in addressing child poverty during the past 20 years is unacceptable, and the present Conservative government’s approach to micromanaging tax benefits for selected groups will not address the issue. Given how the Conference Board relates child poverty to family income, it is crucial to increase the financial well-being of Canada’s middle- and lower-income families through meaningful macro-economic policy, precisely the focus of the Liberal Party of Canada.
This upcoming election will be critical for Canada’s future and, for the first time in more than a decade, Canadians have a clear choice in the polling booth.
Doug McDonaldPolicy Chair, Liberal Party of Canada in North Okanagan-Shuswap
