The Hidden Poverty In Canada - Homelessness in Canada
Hidden Poverty In Canada
Where there is people there will be poverty, poverty has its reaches around the world anywhere there is classes like upper, middle and lower class there will be poverty. Here in Canada it is an issue the cost of living is increasing while the value of money can not keep up with increased cost. When I think of poverty in Canada I think what causes people to be in poverty and how much can be placed on their doing. The society we live in is based around money, you need money to eat, live in a place and survive above the poverty line. In my opinion I think Canada is set up in such a way that the poor keep getting poor and the rich keep getting richer. Poverty is a priority in Canada both the Government and Non Profit organizations are working to curb the poverty level.
In Victoria B.C. A lot has been done to help the less fortunate and homeless its an ongoing issue as there is no quick fix. A reverend by the name of Al has done so much for this city to prevent and help the homeless. Reverend Al has opened a building called “our place” which servers meals daily has bathroom and laundry facilitates on the lower levels, short term living units with the goal to get into more longer term housing above. None of this could be possible without the drive and determination to end poverty/homelessness and the many donations from the community. One of the factors facing many people with low income in Victoria is the availability of affordable housing which is a big challenge to overcome. For most of those who are impoverished they survive solely on welfare which is roughly $500 Canadian dollars a month, With most housing costing between $500 and $1200 a month it makes it difficult to be able to live comfortably just with the basic of needs. The government made a step towards finding a solution which brought about The British Colombia Housing Management in 1967. B.C. Housing has many subsidized housing in and around Victoria all with affordable rent so those who are on welfare can have their basic needs met.
Poverty affects not just the homeless but the lower classes and sometimes middle class families. When people/Families are in or affected by poverty they might not receive the help they need as its not visible and focused on as much homelessness is. There are people having to make difficult decisions such as parents not eating so their kids can eat, or the elderly facing the decision either to buy medication or pay rent. These issues are facing many and its just as important as the homelessness
issue. There should be more of an effort done to help those families and elderly who have to make those sacrifice's. As this city has a high rate of tourists yearly I doubt the focus will switch from the more visible poverty issue which is the homeless. Yes there are places you can get food as Victoria has many food banks which feed a large number annually and there are ways to get medication covered its just not enough. Would a billion dollars be able to stop poverty in Canada? I have my doubts money is a band aid solution but seems to be the only option that is feasible at the moment. There would have to be a major shift and many changes to the cost of living, are self seeking money driven culture as well. If Canada was socialist and created a society without the divided classes and everyone was equal and money didn't play a major role in the quality of living then I think poverty could be eradicated. It has been shown that one person can have a major impact on the fight against poverty with all that was achieved by reverend Al and others. Until we reach a place where there is no class I think poverty will always play a role in society and can only be minimized not eradicated. One person can do more to fight poverty than throwing money at it and thinking that will solve the problem.
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