OTTAWA – New Democrats say the need for a national poverty plan is growing more urgent as new statistics show almost 800,000 people were assisted by a food bank in March 2009, an 18 per cent increase from a year ago.

One in ten food bank users were visiting the food bank for the first time and 37 per cent, almost 300,000, were children, according a survey taken by Food Banks Canada in March, 2009. Alberta’s food bank use jumped 61 per cent.

“These figures are numbing, an unnecessary human tragedy only getting worse with this government’s inaction,” said New Democrat Poverty Critic Tony Martin (Sault Ste. Marie). “While we applaud the charities in our communities doing their good work, the Conservatives have to get their heads out of the sand, stop blaming previous governments and start showing the national leadership that the poor and our communities so desperately need.”

“It is disturbing to note 72,000 people came to a food bank for the first time; some have work but their jobs don’t pay enough, or their pension, disability-related income supports or social assistance benefits provide too little to afford even the bare essentials,” said Martin.

“We know that children born into poverty have a higher incidence of diabetes, heart disease, suicides and more,” said New Democrat Child Poverty Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity-Spadina). “How can the Harper Conservatives tolerate this shameful reality?”

“The future of our economy, health care and justice systems depend on ensuring that Canadians have a roof over their heads, food on the table and equal footing,” said New Democrat Housing Critic Megan Leslie (Halifax). “Poverty is discriminatory and cyclical and significant government action is needed to defeat stigma and break the cycle.”

New Democrats support many of the measures called for by Food Banks Canada, including a new federal poverty elimination plan, maintaining levels of federal transfers to provincial, territorial and First Nations governments, a fairer EI system, a maximum $5,000 Canada Child Tax Benefit, seniors’ income security protection, affordable urban and rural housing and public childcare.

To learn more about poverty in Canada, food bank use and Food Banks Canada’s recommendations for individuals, business and governments, visit its website at www.foodbankscanada.ca [5] .