"Nineteen years ago, our Parliament voted unanimously in support of
a motion to end child poverty in Canada. On Sunday, Jack Layton
proposed a plan to finally make that happen.Once in power, a New
Democrat government will get to work attacking the root causes of
poverty: building affordable housing, ensuring that our lowest wages
start rising, jump-starting a national child care program, helping our
first nations build their communities.
Once in power, a New Democrat government will get to work attacking the root causes of poverty: building affordable housing, ensuring that our lowest wages start rising, jump-starting a national child care program, helping our first nations build their communities.
Central to our plan, however, is a child benefit of up to $5000 for each child. I have spoken to many families who will finally be able to make ends meet because of this benefit, and I am excited not only to say that an NDP government will be on the side of working families, but to tell them exactly how we will do it.
More
than that, this plan to eliminate child poverty should excite young
people, those whose
children are already grown, and even to those without children. It
means that our country will finally make good on a promise made almost
a generation ago. Soon, we might point to
this national project and say 'This is part of what makes us who we
are.'
Everyone, young and old, left or right, man and woman will be able to
say to the next generation - as prior generations can point to the
Charter, medicare, peacekeeping, or our role in World War II - 'This is
a legacy we have left for you. Never forget what our country can
achieve - what we have achieved - together.'
Today, I am not only excited to be running as a New Democrat. I am proud to be Canadian. We all should be."
- Liam McHugh-Russell