FACE OF POVERTY CONSULTATION
An Interfaith Coalition Working to Eliminate Poverty
ANNUAL REPORT - JUNE 2007 to JUNE 2008
"We commit ourselves to being voices for those who cannot speak, to finding ways to support and work with the rich and poor, young and old, weak and strong, the powerful and the powerless, and to educating ourselves and others in the quest of justice and peace for all."
This pledge was read at our annual interfaith Service of Worship, held on 25 November 2007 at Woodlawn United Church, marking the anniversary of the 1989 all-party vote in the House of Commons which declared that this House "seeks to achieve the goal of eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000". The Right Reverend Sue Moxley, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, spoke about the need to be persistent in raising the issues of poverty with politicians and citizens. The Shining Lights Choir again contributed to the service with their music. A spontaneous offering of $171.10 was given to Metro Non-Profit Housing, sponsors of the Shining Lights Choir
The Face of Poverty Consultation communicates with elected representatives and bureaucrats about such issues as an increase to the minimum wage and compassionate leave. Members attend meetings of the Legislature's Standing Committee on Community Services, and meet periodically with MP Michael Savage to discuss affordable housing and other areas of federal responsibility. We met with Stephen McNeil, Nova Scotia Liberal Party leader, on his Poverty Action Day in the spring of 2007. We have a representative on the Affordable Energy Coalition which is seeking special consideration on energy costs for people with low income. The Public Utilities and Review Board turned down that case, but the Coalition is continuing their efforts to have freedom from discrimination on economic grounds recognized as a human right.
During the 2007 Week to End Poverty from October 14 to 20, we provided Make Poverty History barrier tape to twenty spiritual communities to display outside their buildings during the week. We made available resources from KAIROS for use by these spiritual communities, asking people to Stand Up and Speak Out about poverty. Mike Bradfield, member of Face of Poverty Consultation, spoke at the Anglican Church in Annapolis Royal on 21 October 2007. An event at the Agricultural College in Truro made use of our copy of the Poverty Game.
On 17 October 2007, the 20th Anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Face of Poverty members attended the unveiling of the Poverty Reduction Strategy for Nova Scotia. This Strategy was developed by anti-poverty and social justice groups across Nova Scotia, in consultation with people with direct experience of poverty, with the hope and intent of building a comprehensive strategy for reducing and eliminating poverty within the Province. The Coalition has been recently renamed as the Community Coalition to End Poverty in Nova Scotia (CCEP-NS) and has plans to publicize its work by using means such as power-point presentations.
The Face of Poverty Consultation was named to participate by the legislation passed by the House of Assembly in December 2007 in the Bill - 94 Poverty Reduction Working Group. The Working Group is to "make recommendations on strategies and priorities for action to be considered by the Government to address the issue of poverty reduction in the Province, including recommending an implementation plan".
Face of Poverty members attended the Town Hall Meeting at Woodlawn United Church in January 2008 at which the Hon. Ken Dryden spoke about issues of Poverty and listened to persons who live with it. We also took part in the For'Easter weekend at St. Matthew's United Church where the question of "How can we respond as people of faith and engaged citizens to the challenges and opportunities of 21st century living?" was explored with speakers such as Hon. Bill Blaikie, Dr. Samantha Nutt, and Dr. John Kirton.
Members of the Face of Poverty Consultation are reviewing our goals and planning for more emphasis on continuing to educate others in our spiritual communities on issues of social justice. This is to encourage them to work together to make Nova Scotia a place where "all persons have the opportunity to live in the fullness of their dignity and potential that come as gifts of the Creator".
Jane Cushing, Secretary.
http://users.eastlink.ca/~lutheranchurch/Poverty.html