Harrison Blizzard, Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance member (left), is joined by Jason Steele (right) from The Hub on Ross on Thursday, to pass out bags of apples donated by Central Alberta Coop encouraging central Albertans to urge the next federal government to implement a plan to end poverty in Canada. (Photo: rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Chew On This

Red Deer activists join call to end poverty in Canada

Oct 17, 2019 | 2:45 PM

On the cusp of Monday’s federal election, volunteers with the Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA) took to the streets of Red Deer to call for an end to poverty in Canada.

With Oct. 17 being the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, volunteers joined communities across the country for the 7^th annual Chew on This campaign, standing outside The Hub on Ross, handing out paper bags with apples inside to remind residents of the need to address the issue locally.

CAPRA spokesperson Harrison Blizzard hopes the campaign encourages central Albertans to urge the federal government to take note of the issue and take further steps in eradicating poverty.

“The government has been taking some steps in the right direction, but they haven’t really made that movement,” says Blizzard. “Some ways that we can help people – helping gain employment right through the country. That can take a step in the right direction, giving people the ability to access safe housing and health care, those types of things.”

Despite a struggling economy over the last number of years, Blizzard feels some progress is being made in addressing poverty throughout Alberta.

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“For example, the new formation of the child care benefit that was given a couple years ago,” exclaims Blizzard. “That actually helped a lot of families with children to be able to afford some of the necessities they need for them.”

Blizzard says the opioid crisis is another issue affecting poverty in Canada.

“It’s an important component because obviously it’s affecting families who have people who are dealing with those addictions,” admits Blizzard. “But we always also try to show that poverty comes in many lights. There’s obviously folks who might be using substances, but also some of the working class who are working multiple jobs, some of our seniors who are looking for safe and affordable housing, so there’s quite a variety.”

Blizzard says the largest group that experiences poverty, tends to be single mothers or minimum wage workers who have to work multiple jobs to survive.

“When you look at the hard numbers of the population, those are where you see the most issues with people living below the poverty line,” explains Blizzard. “So obviously having stable employment, having a living wage, those things really help people to afford their life.”

Following the release of the federal government’s Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy in 2019, Blizzard says the focus now needs to shift towards implementing that strategy into the next government’s budget and act on the changes proposed.

“Poverty affects all of us, whether we deal with it directly, or we have a family member or friends or even someone like a co-worker,” adds Blizzard. “So just kind of be mindful that people are experiencing it in our community and we’re trying to help them to live a better life.”

CAPRA says 13 per cent of Red Deer’s population lives with a household income of less than $30,000/year.