Activists demand action against poverty

From the November 16th edition of The Chronicle Herald:

Province not giving enough support, rally told

By Tom Peters, Staff Reporter

Anti-poverty activists and support organizations took their cause to the streets of downtown Halifax on Saturday, demanding that the provincial government take action to assist poor people.

About 100 people, including young and old representing a variety of community groups, organizations and service agencies, chanted slogans, beat on drums and carried signs that bore messages such as Economic crisis not new to us, Stop the war on the poor, Child in poverty and Daycare for kids not bailouts for banks.

Their demands focused on increased social assistance, a raise in the minimum wage, increased access to employment insurance, affordable housing, universal childcare and affordable post-secondary education.

After a brief rally in Victoria Park, the activists marched to Province House, where speakers called for government action. There were no politicians at the House on Saturday.

Wayne MacNaughton, an advocate for the homeless, told the gathering in the park that politicians need to be held accountable for the things they are not doing. He said politicians demand report after report on poverty issues "yet they have known for years what needs to be done because every report always says the same thing," he said.

Mr. MacNaughton was critical of the lack of funds for Pendleton Place, a Halifax shelter for the homeless that won’t reopen this winter.

He said that was "appalling since government has done absolutely nothing to address the underlying issue, which is more affordable housing and more community supports for people suffering from mental illness and addictions. They have done nothing on either of those things."

To read the entire article, click here.

Also see:

Protestors call for end to the 'war on the poor'

Photograph by Ingrid Bulmer, The Chronicle Herald.