Poverty and Inequality: A Challenge to Halton s Quality of Life. Joey Edwardh Roundtable on Diversity and Equity October 6, 2014

Transcription

1 Poverty and Inequality: A Challenge to Halton s Quality of Life Joey Edwardh Roundtable on Diversity and Equity October 6, 2014

2 Poverty Myths Poverty is the failure of the individual: lazy, low moral values. The poor do not want to work or they would get a job. Welfare rates are too generous, it is pretty good in Ontario. The welfare system is rife with cheating and fraud. Poor people need to be taught basic life skills like budgeting. Poor families are poor because they have too many children. We cannot afford the social programs needed to eliminate poverty. All children in Canada are assured a decent start in life.

3 Wealth Myths The Rich work hard The Rich create jobs, their investment trickles down to others People pay too much tax Corporations need to be retained through low taxes or they will leave Small government equals greater freedom The Rich are democratic and share power October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 3

4 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Dec 1948) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself (herself) and of his (her) family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his (her) control. (Article 25)

5 Poverty Combating poverty, deprivation and exclusion is not a matter of charity, and it does not depend on how rich a country is. By tackling poverty as a matter of human rights obligations, the world will have a better chance of abolishing this scourge in our lifetime. Poverty eradication is an achievable goal. (Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. (Nelson Mandela)

6 Wealth growing inequality will push society into conditions resembling pre-revolutionary France no free and open society can sustain growing levels of inequality, only police states (Billionnaire Nick Hanauer 2014) democratic politics, at its best, is about choosing what kind of society we want to live in. On inequality, politics and the political choices we make matter. (Ed Broadbent 2012) October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 6

7 Health and Social Problems are Worse in More Unequal Countries Index of: Life expectancy Math & Literacy Infant Mortality Homicides Imprisonment Teenage Births Trust Obesity Mental illness incl. drug and alcohol Social Mobility Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009)

8 Concentration of Wealth- Canada October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 8

9 Concentration of Wealth- Ontario October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 9

10 Population Change ( ) October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 10

11 Who are the poor? October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 11

12 October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 12

13 Family Income October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 13

14 Low income families by Census Tract, Halton Region, 2012 Legend % families by CT # families by CT 0% - 3.6% (14) 3.7% - 6.2% (35) 6.3% - 8.6% (26) 8.7% % (21) 11.5% % (10) 0-60 (42) (30) (16) (17) 281-1,110 (1) Milton Halton Hills zero or no data ( ) # CT in same range Burlington Oakville Source: Statistics Canada, Taxfiler data 2012 October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 14

15 Child poverty October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 15

16 Income Gender Gap October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 16

17 October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 17

18 Poverty Trends Poverty rate is relatively constant Poverty is deepening Feminization of poverty Racialization of poverty Wealth, privilege and power increasingly concentrated (1%)

19 Social Determinants of Health Challenges October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 19

20 Community Defined Access Programs and services that allow for access with dignity. People should not feel less as the result of asking for assistance to meet basic needs or to become part of community. This may also mean that a program or service embraces the contributions of those who are willing to contribute to make a program or service the best that it can be. Next people talked about programs and services that provide goods and services that are quality. Second rate, dented, and expired do not reflect quality and they take away from dignity. Affordability is critical and intuitive to access. People would prefer to be able to purchase their own goods and services, making all their own choices within a framework of affordability. That would contribute to dignity. Finally location was listed as essential for access. When income and transportation are challenges opportunities need to be close to home.

21 What We Have Learned About Poverty Poverty produces deprivation and exclusion Poverty is a strong indicator of health Poverty is a strong indicator of educational achievement Poverty means greater instability, crime and fear Economic growth alone is insufficient to address the multiple dimensions of poverty More equal societies do better

22 Action for Change Participate in active dialogue for change Bust the myths end the disconnect between knowledge, understanding and manufactured societal attitudes Evidence based policies and practices Ensure liveable incomes Reinvigorate unions October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 22

23 Action for Change Invest in education and skill development Invest in physical infrastructure Invest in strong and supportive communities Get big money out of politics, heal our democratic deficit Pay for these investment through higher and fair personal, corporate and estate taxes October 6, 2014 Growing Inequality 23

24 Action Now Build a movement for a society with greater equality, greater opportunity for all? What are our common causes? Who are our allies? How do we work together?

25 Conclusion Source: Wilkinson & Pickett, The Spirit Level (2009)

26 Poverty and Inequality: A Challenge to Halton s Quality of Life Joey Edwardh October 6, 2014