Today was our first day back in the House of Commons since the Christmas break. I chose to use my statement to reflect on the struggles far too many Canadians face every day: Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the United Way for hosting their Living on the Edge Poverty Experience in Halifax last week. As I worked my way through the simulation, it was a powerful reminded of how just difficult life in poverty can be. You see, poverty isn’t just about a lack of employment or money. It’s a lack of safe, affordable housing, reliable transportation, healthy food, childcare, prescription medication, education and training. Poverty can box you in, limit your choices, and rob you of your dignity. I’m grateful for the many organizations and people of Dartmouth – Cole Harbour who work tirelessly on these issues including the Dartmouth Family Centre, the Public Good Society, Feeding Others of Dartmouth, the Dartmouth Learning Network, and the Circle of Care Furniture Bank, to name but a few. As life becomes unaffordable for more and more Canadians, let’s hope that 2015 is the year this government finally make the elimination of poverty a top priority. Thank you. *Statements can only be one minute in length, otherwise I would have had a much longer list of people and organizations in our community who do great work. There are so many churches, for example, in Dartmouth - Cole Harbour that are incredibly committed to helping people who are struggling in poverty. To anyone and everyone who does anything to help those in need, thank you!
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 23:16:23 +0000
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