NDP motion to end child poverty a victory for all Canadians

NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough – Rouge River) applauds the passing of her motion, M-534, to create a national poverty elimination strategy:

I am pleased that all parties have come together to support my motion calling on the government to eradicate child poverty by investing in affordable and accessible housing, child care and child nutrition programs. This is a victory for all Canadians.

Tom Mulcair’s New Democrats believe that in a country as prosperous as ours, there is no good reason for any child to hungry or not have a place to live.

Twenty-five years after Parliament adopted the NDP’s motion to end child poverty in Canada, child poverty remains unacceptably high. The national child poverty rate is now 21 per cent, with Aboriginal and visible minority children being especially vulnerable. Surely we can do better.

Tom Mulcair’s NDP has a practical plan to end child poverty, including $15 a day child care and a $15 per hour federal minimum wage. If we form government later this year we are committed to developing a national poverty reduction plan with measurable targets and timelines.