With a new parliamentary session underway this week, the question of what movement we will see on poverty this year comes to mind. During the last session and May’s federal election, many social justice organizations and political parties rallied to bring poverty to the forefront of public discourse noting key areas of need: pension and employment supports, childcare, preventative healthcare, fair taxation, and affordable housing. Poverty is all-encompassing and touches each sector of society in various ways. It demands a comprehensive approach to combat its reach. Dignity for All members recognize this reality, and are hard at work to ensure poverty issues are on the agenda.

The election on May 2nd left many individuals and organizations concerned about social justice unsure of the implications a new Conservative majority government would have on tackling poverty. Where does poverty fit on the agenda? Will there be sufficient progress made with a government that dismissed the calls for change in the previous parliament? Dignity for All Campaign Committee members grappled with the same questions and had a chance to discuss the direction of the campaign for the next the next year and how to handle these challenges.