The Latest

Universal Health?

We are a country that prides itself on a system of universal health. It is a system which merits are hotly debated by many inside and outside the country, particularly amongst our neighbours to the south. It should mean access for all, but does it?

For the most part it is admirable due to a founding principle being based on need rather than the ability to pay. A system which is free at point of access. But it is imperfect. Its decentralized system makes it hugely varied, and one which is rather expensive and not as efficient as some other models of national health. 

Read More

The End of Poverty

What an audacious title - The End of Poverty. Everyone in this audience has given remarks on reducing poverty in Canada, poverty alleviation, the costs of poverty, strategies to address poverty and, of course, what is poverty? But the End of Poverty? As in actually ending it. Jeffrey Sachs wrote about it on an international level but I’ve never done it before. And I probably never would, NOT because I don’t yearn for it – like you – but because I’m somewhat more cautious than Paul Born, optimist extraordinaire, who told me to go for it. He told me, find the optimist within you; cast aside the cautious former civil servant and nonprofit manager, and reveal the path that ends poverty. My remarks today are the product of a reflection on the best case forward. Not the expected case or the worst case – the best case. We could all talk ourselves into one of these less ambitious roads but why not consider what could be the dream scenario. Before doing so - knock on wood, twist your ring, blink three times or do whatever you do so we don’t jinx this whole thing.

Read More

Relearning to be a Citizen

I am taking part in my first book club and we are reading John McKnight and Peter Block’s book, The Abundant Community, Awakening the Power of Families and Neighbourhoods. A few chapters in and I have gone from confusion to amazement in my thinking process. 

When we are born, we start our lives as citizens of our family and community, and slowly become consumers of products, services and systems that lead us to believe we are better off and safer. When we think like a system we tend to identify the problem by labeling a specific target - for example, the ‘youth problem’ - however, John and Peter point out that it is not the youth with the problem but the neighbourhood and community. 

Read More

How Much Time Does it Take?

How much time does it take to create a poverty reduction strategy? There is no good answer to this question. However, one of the most common drawbacks we hear from Cities Reducing Poverty members is the unexpected amount of time it takes to create and launch a strategy.  

Read More

The Use of Homelessness Shelters by Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Read More

Where You Live Makes a Difference to Mental Health and Well-Being

Read More