Sign petition to show your support for the Poverty Elimination Act

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a law that required the federal government to do something about poverty in Canada?

Well there is just such a law now before Parliament. It’s called the Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada (Bill C-233). It was first introduced as Bill C-545 in 2010 as a Private Members Bill by NDP MP Tony Martin, and was seconded by Liberal MP Mike Savage and Bloc MP Yves Lessard. The original bill died on the order paper with the dissolution of Parliament when the federal election was called in March.

But it has now been re-introduced by NDP MP Jean Crowder. The text and title of the bill remains the same but it has a new number: C-233.

In a majority parliament a private members bill like this is not likely to get passed. But we can use this bill to show Members of Parliament that their constituents are concerned about poverty and want the federal government to take action.

Download and print the Bill C-233 Petition. Get at least 25 people to sign it. Then ask your Member of Parliament to present it to the House of Commons.

This petition is an old fashioned paper petition, not an electronic one like we usually ask you to sign. This petition conforms with House of Commons rules so that it can be presented in the House of Commons by Members of Parliament. There is a 15 minute period in the House of Commons Agenda every day for MPs to present petitions. MPs are honour bound by parliamentary tradition to present petitions from their constituents, whether they agree with the petition or not.

By asking as many MPs as possible to present this Bill C-233 Petition we can send a strong message to MPs and to Parliament that there are many voters across Canada that care about poverty and want their government to take leadership to do something about it.

This act requires the federal government to develop a poverty reduction plan that includes reduction targets and timetables. It requires that the plan be developed with input from civil society groups and people living in poverty. The act also requires regular reports on progress.

More details on how to take action to end poverty with this petition can be found when you download the Bill C-233 Petition.

Let’s get behind this proposed Poverty Elimination Act and get the Federal Government to do it's part to make poverty history in Canada. Please download the petition now.

Thanks for your support!