Dignity for All Policy Recommendations

Since its inception in 2009, Dignity for All: the campaign for a poverty-free Canada has sought to develop and promote innovative, progressive policy solutions to ensure social and economic security for all Canadians. Together, these policy recommendations form the basis of a model federal plan to reduce, and eventually eliminate, poverty.

In an effort to build consensus across our diverse group of supporters, we hold annual policy summits. At the summits, representatives from various organizations - including social policy organizations, provincial anti-poverty movements, national associations, faith-based groups, and front-line service agencies - gather to collaborate and learn from leading policy experts and advocates. They have the opportunity to discuss, provide feedback and establish policy recommendations with broad support. The summits play an important role in establishing a clear, consistent, and prescriptive voice against poverty in Canada.

Please see below for a summary of recommendations developed to-date and information about upcoming policy summits.

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Food Security

In December 2012, representatives from academia and civil society gathered to learn, discuss, and create policy recommendations on hunger, food security and poverty.

Food security backgrounder

Food security recommendations

Summit Presentations:

Lauren Goodman: Food security in Inuit Nunangat

Shawn Pegg: Making sense of food bank use in Canada

Valerie Tarasuk: Houshold food insecurity in Canada

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Income Security

April 2012's policy summit examined federal income security programs "across the life-cycle". Speakers included Miles Corak, Laurell Ritchie, Chris Roberts,  Laurel Rothman, John Stapleton, and Monica Townson.

Policy Recommendations:

• Income Security Programs for Children (Recommendations / Background)
• Income Security Programs for Working-Age Adults (Recommendations / Background)
• Income Security Programs for Seniors (Recommendations / Background)

Summit Presentations:

Children

Laurel Rothman: Proposals to move forward on Income Security for Children and their Families

Miles Corak: Promoting the Dignity and Rights of Children

Working-Age Adults

John Stapleton: Working Poverty and the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB)

Laurell Ritchie: A Closer Look at EI

Seniors

Monica Townson: Old Age Security

Chris Roberts: Recommendations Concerning the Canada Pension Plan

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Housing and Homelessness

The inaugural Dignity for All policy summit, held in Ottawa in March 2011, focused on the areas of housing & early childhood education and care. Close to 50 participants from 23 organizations attended the two-day event.

Housing backgrounder

Housing recommendations

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Early Childhood Education and Care

ECEC backgrounder

ECEC recommendations