Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Day 20: Guest speaker

Thank you so much, Ms. E for speaking to the class today.

A great presentation and discussion on poverty in Canada and at the local level.  Topics include:
  • minimum wage
  • mental illness
  • % of First Nations who live in poverty across Canada (highest in the Prairie provinces)
  • Why are women more likely to live in poverty instead of men?
  • Ethnic groups likelier to live in poverty
  • Elderly likelier to live in poverty
  • What is basic living wage?  Definition of "Working Poverty".  On the rise since the recession in 2008.  How do we address this - what types of reforms/supports?  Do we raise the minimum wage?
  • How do people end up in poverty?  Contributing factors include: inter-generational poverty, mental health issues, addiction, societal structures/economy, First Nations legacy of residential schools trauma
  • Mental health.  The "chicken or egg" analogy.  Are people living in poverty because they are mentally ill?  Or become mentally ill once they are living on the street?
  • Group article analysis: #1-Child poverty in our city.  A lot of hidden poverty.  Shame.  People feel marginalized.  #2-Cost of a nutritious food basket in our municipality.  Getting expensive to feed families.  Difficult for new comers to Canada.  #3-Difficulties that newcomers face.  Maybe don't have supports/families/work.  Maybe  lead to loneliness/depression.  Stigmatized.  #4-Impact on poverty on Children: health, social networks, behaviour, education, play.  #5-Rent is too high in our city.  Lack of drop-in shelters (none for women at all).  Lack of provincial gov't support

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