"The Elimination of Poverty :
It Can Be Done And We Want It Done"

Le Comité des affaires sociales
de l'Assemblée des évêques catholiques du Québec
1st May 2000 | Version française

Living in Accordance With Our Values

Introduction

1. An original and exceptional democratic action is currently taking place in our midst. A collective, made up of several large Québec-based organizations, is preparing to present to the National Assembly a legislative proposal to eliminate poverty. This endeavour is both unique and ambitious. It constitutes a major event.

2. The Social Affairs Committee of the Assemblée des évêques catholiques du Québec, through this May 1st Message, expresses its firm support for the bold initiative of the Collective for a law to eliminate poverty[1].The traditional May 1st holiday celebrating workers is the ideal occasion for expressing our solidarity, considering the impact that work, along with other factors, has on the increase of poverty and on the real hardship being experienced by the population. This trend, which is felt in every region of Québec, has serious consequences on the lives of individuals. A recent study has shown that one person in five does not have sufficient income, either from employment or from social assistance, to cover his or her essential needs. The number of children living in poverty has shot up by 30% over the last ten year[2].

Montreal Harvest, through a large network of organizations, distributes food to about 150,000 individuals. Soup kitchens are multiplying in number. Homelessness is increasing. Furthermore, poverty is not only economic and social. It has a real political dimension in that it raises the question of a person's ability to fully participate in society. It also puts into question the personal dignity of citizens. By directly addressing the political authorities, after having consulted thousands of persons and having obtained the support of a substantial portion of the population, the Collective has put together a process that is both ingenious and democratic. It constitutes a massive effort in popular education. It has already inspired a broad-based exercise in collective soul-searching. The Québec Church has been happy to contribute to each phase of this initiative.

"Let's Do It And IT Will Get Done"

3. The idea of a law to eliminate poverty is the result of a long process. It first of all emerged in the minds and hearts of persons who believed that poverty is not pre-ordained by fate and that overcoming poverty becomes possible if society makes it a priority. These activists have taken seriously the exhortation "Let's do it and it will get done".

4. The idea took hold two years after the Women's "Bread and Roses" March Against Poverty and as the logical outcome of the "zero-impoverishment" clause promoted during the International Year to Eliminate Poverty. Then, during the campaign for a just and decent reform of Québec's social assistance system, the Carrefour de pastorale en monde ouvrier of Québec City (CAPMO) launched a legislative proposal calling for the elimination of poverty in Québec within a ten-year timeframe.

5. The idea made its way and, in 1998, a number of national organizations came together to establish the Collective. The latter soon began to invite the population to sign a petition in favour of the idea. The Collective also asked other groups and associations to show their support for the idea. It then developped an animation kit to assure the participation of as many persons as possible, notably those living in poverty, in the elaboration of the content of eventual legislation. At the end of 1999, the Collective made public its proposed law to eliminate poverty. The content was then validated during a series of popular parliamentary sessions organized at the grassroots level in the different regions of Québec. The aim was to settle upon the final text by May 2000. Now, therefore, begins the political and legislative phase seeking to transform this proposal into actual legislation[3].

"After The Law, I'll Be Once Again Part Of The Tree"

6. This exercise in responsible citizenship challenges our society. It raises questions, it calls for reflexion, it generates great interest. It challenges and disturbs those who would refuse to move forward as well as those who would prefer to sulk. Indeed, when one considers the strength of the dominant trends in our society that favour the power of the "haves" over the right of equality for all, it is very tempting to just give up and to concede that nothing can be done. It is very tempting to resign oneself to the fact that some persons have come to feel that they are like "leaves that have fallen to the wayside", as one of the participants in the preliminary discussions on the proposed law put it. Certainly the law that benefits the strongest is reinforced when bystanders no longer believe in their capacity to bring about change. Yet the process put in place by the Collective, by its boldness and the sheer amount of energy that it has generated in every region of Québec, has revealed the amazing potential of citizen-based transformative action. Thus that same participant was able to assert "After the law, I'll once again be part of the tree!"[4].

7. For those who are very active on the political scene and for those who are very conscious of the collective dimension of their responsibilities, this whole operation constitutes a highly revealing test of our democratic "health", because it takes into account factors that go beyond a political logic governed by private interests. The Collective's proposal provides foundations for building a new society based on sharing; it is a starting point for a collective effort to find creative solutions to other social problems and to generate other large-scale initiatives. It introduces a new legal dynamic into democratic life. If the proposal does become law, it will provide a powerful instrument for applying the Québec Charter of rights and freedoms in such a way as to benefit persons living in degrading poverty. It will also provide an opening for better recognition of the political, economic and social rights enshrined in numerous international pacts and proposed at important world summits. At the Copenhagen Summit of 1995, did the participating countries not commit themselves to developping national action plans to significantly reduce and to eliminate absolute poverty...? Such commitments remain nothing more than pious wishes as long as States do not take concrete measures to attain this noble objective. Required are national policies, solidly entrenched within the framework of a law.

8. If the people of Québec, thanks to the efforts of their most active elements, arrive at obtaining from their political leadership a law to eliminate poverty, we will have taken a giant step in the right direction.[5] All hopes will be possible, including the hope that one day we will be able to say "There are no more poor among us". And, if some poor persons should nevertheless remain, more and more citizens will be willing to take a stand with the poor to defend their rights and to rely on legislation embodying the basic demands of social justice. These same citizens will develop a greater concern for the common good and will contribute in an effective way to its realization. They will better understand such fundamental principles as the universal destination of goods and the equitable distribution of wealth. They will affirm that meeting the essential needs of everyone constitutes the most important priority. They will be living out the value of genuine solidarity, which has been called "charity in overalls".

9. Such is the importance and the deep significance of the entire process promoting this legislative proposal. It presupposes a new vision of society. It calls upon us to live in accordance with the highest values of our cultural heritage. Above all, it permits persons, rich and poor, to work together on a common project and to discover the importance of participating in the life of their community.

"Let There Be No Poor Among You" (Deut.15 :4)

10. This democratic initiative in favour of the poor in our midst draws us to the deepest roots of our faith tradition and to the fundamental options demanded by that tradition.

11. When the believers of the Old Testament reflected upon the foundational event which was their liberation from slavery in Egypt, they understood themselves as summoned to fight against every form of slavery and poverty. Hence they came to the bold conclusion that poverty must not exist in Israel : Let there be no poor among you. When prophets and psalmists saw their countrymen exploited, crushed, abused and miserable, they boldly spoke out, affirming that Yahweh, their God, will take up the cause of the poor, for God is the friend and the defender of the poor : "Yahweh, forever faithful, gives justice to those denied it, gives food to the hungry, gives liberty to prisoners..."(Ps. 146 :7).

12. Jesus, in his preaching, addressed himself first of all to the poor. The Beatitudes, which continue to astonish us, are directed in the first instance to the poor. Jesus launched his mission by borrowing the words of the prophet Isaiah to proclaim : "The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me; He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor." (Lk. 4 :18) Jesus was especially attentive to those who were excluded or were poor. He lived with them. He recognized their dignity. He even identified himself with them : "For I was hungry and you gave me food.... in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me."(Mt. 25 :31-46) The person who is exploited and abused, who is poor and miserable, is therefore the "sacrament of Christ", a sign of his particular presence among us.

13. The Church, that walks in the presence and in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, understands that this preferential option for the poor has not been chosen haphazardly. It has been, from the beginning, the option to which the Church is called. The God of Jesus Christ, by the Church and through the Church, takes up the cause of the persons who are the poor in our societies. If the members of our Christian communities do not espouse the option for the poor, as their preferential action for social justice and charity, then God Himself is not truly known. Just as the ancient kings and leaders of the people of Israel had a responsibility to care for the poor, so today's believers, as as "royal people", have a responsibility to overcome poverty and its causes and to convince political decision-makers to pass legislation and to govern towards this same end.

A Population ANnd A State Willing To Take Up Their Collective Responsibility Regarding Poverty

14. At the outset of the third millennium, this legislative proposal to eliminate poverty corresponds to an emerging consciousness about poverty and its effects which truly appears to be a sign of the times. Will we be able to read and interpret this sign as a call to greater generosity, a reason for genuine hope and a source of healthy pride? The proposed law, if adopted by the National Assembly, will make Québec the first people in modern history to have given itself a specific program to become a more compassionate society. This will send a message to the whole world that a State and its population have indeed decided to listen to persons living in poverty, to pay attention to their needs, and to provide them with the means to become real partners and be respected as full citizens.

15. Is it necessary to remind our political leaders that one of the significant factors, if not the most revealing one, in evaluating the well-being of a particular society is precisely the care it shows towards its most vulnerable and deprived members? Will those who are entrusted with the primary responsibility for building a better future for our society, be willing to treat this legislative proposal in a non-partisan way and to thereby make an unambiguous gesture in favour of the poorest and the most excluded? We trust in their willingness to show proper respect and due consideration for political action which must be viewed as a service to the whole of society.

16. Will our fellow citizens, particularly those who are wealthier, acknowledge the legitimacy of this law? Will they accept all its consequences, notably the redistribution of wealth and the reallocation of tax revenus? We call upon their collaboration, their contribution and their much needed understanding.

17. Will believers, the members of a faith community that is called to serve the world, be among the first to joyfully accept the application of the law, with its demands for conversion, for sharing and for solidarity? We count on their sense of responsibility and on their openness to a broad social vision.

Other Important Movements In The Fight Against Poverty

18. Simultaneously with the mobilization surrounding this legislative proposal, other important movements are marshalling their forces in the fight against poverty. These movements are calling for our collaboration and our involvement. First of all, there is the Jubilee of the Year 2000 which Christians are being invited to celebrate throughout the year. In this Jubilee context, the wealthier countries are being called to participate in a program to abolish the debts which are crushing the poorest peoples on our planet. The Jubilee, in its deepest origins, sought to embody legislation benefitting the poor and the indebted.

19. There is also the World March of Women 2000 against poverty and violence. This is an initiative by the Fédération des Femmes du Québec which has drawn up an impressive list of demands, including an end to poverty and a better sharing of wealth[6]. Furthermore, a project known as Virage 2000, created by the Femmes et Ministères network, is currently mobilizing Church women in the struggle against poverty.

20. Finally, it is important to recall that there are literally thousands of persons and organizations already fighting against poverty in our midst. Persons living in poverty are not only active but also organized. They are accompanied and supported by all kinds of groups involved in popular education and in community action, working daily on the frontlines. Public and private bodies also share this humanitarian concern. Certain Québec government policies bear the mark of this concern which is shared by all layers of society. The same fundamental values govern all these efforts.

Conclusion

21. In closing, the members of the Social Affairs Committee wish to reiterate their support and their encouragement for all the persons and groups involved in this struggle to eliminate poverty. They are well aware of the huge scale of the challenge to be met as well as the immensity of the task to be accomplished. But they also know that hope never lets down those who are inspired by hope. Efforts deployed in helping others are endowed with great value not only in the building of the human realm but also in the coming of the Reign of God.

"The Elimination of Poverty : It Can Be Done And We Want It Done"

These are words expressed by citizens, many of whom are living in poverty. Are we ready to support this statement and to move from words to concrete action? Here are a few suggestions :

• Become familiar with the contents of the proposal put forth by the Collective for a Law to Eliminate Poverty[7].

• Follow the debates which this legislative proposal will generate in the upcoming months;

• Organize a meeting with the member of the National Assembly for your riding to discuss this legislative proposal;

• Participate in the activities sponsored by the Collective for a Law to Eliminate Poverty;

• Wear the pin designed by the Collective;

• Take every opportunity to speak about this legislative proposal;

• Discover the socio-political aspects of the Jubilee of the Year 2000, notably the call to abolish the debts that are crushing poor countries and the call to redistribute wealth;

• Participate in the World March of Women 2000 and support their demands;

• Support any group, movement or association that is working in solidarity with persons living in poverty;

• Become more attentive to these persons and to their needs.

The Social Affairs Committee of the Assemblée des évêques catholiques du Québec

Members

Msgr Martin Veillette, president
Bishop of Trois-Rivières

Msgr Louis Dicaire
Auxiliary Bishop
Archdiocese of Montréal

Msgr Gérard Drainville
Bishop of Amos

Msgr Raymond Dumais
Bishop of Gaspé

Msgr Jean-Guy Hamelin
Bishop of Rouyn-Noranda

Collaborators

Mr. Patrick Arsenault
Diocese of Gaspé

Ms. Louise Gagné
Sociologist, Montreal

Mr. René Guay, priest
Diocese of Chicoutimi

Mr. Florent Villeneuve
Diocese of Chicoutimi

Ms. Gisèle Marquis
Assistant to the Secretary-General
for Social Affairs, AECQ

Dépôt légal, 2e trimestre 2000
Biliothèque nationale du Québec
ISBN 2-89279-067-0

English translation

Me. Brian McDonough
Social Action Office,
Archdiocese of Montreal

[1] The Collectif pour une loi sur l'élimination de la pauvreté comprises the following member organizations : Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI), ATD Quart Monde, Caisse d'économie Desjardins des travailleuses et travailleurs (Québec) (CETTQ), Carrefour de pastorale en monde ouvrier (CAPMO), Centrale de l'enseignement du Québec (CEQ), Centre de pastorale en milieu ouvrier (CPMO), Confédération québécoise des coopératives d'habitation (CQCH), Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), Conférence religieuse canadienne - section Québec (CRC-Q), Fédération des Femmes du Québec (FFQ), Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec (FÉCQ), Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU), Front commun des personnes assistées sociales du Québec (FCPAS Q), Regroupement des groupes populaires en alphabétisation du Québec (RGPAQ), Regroupement des ressources alternatives en santé mentale du Québec (RRASMQ), Regroupement québécois des intervenants et intervenantes en action communautaire (RQIIAC), Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ).

[2] Conseil national du bien-être social, "Profil de la pauvreté 1997", Rapport 1999, pp. 4-10

[3] The proposal presented for debate by the Collective calls for both an institutional framework and a legislative program. It seeks to put into place a program to eliminate poverty, to involve the population and persons living in poverty in the development and implementation of this program, notably through the setting up of a National Assembly Fund to support the exercise of citizenship by persons living in poverty. In order to assure on-going vigilance, the proposal calls for the creation of a Council for the elimination of poverty and a Research Institute attached to the Council which, over a ten-year timeframe, and by a series of action plans, would establish the permanent structures required to have a Québec without poverty. The proposal also calls for several urgent measures : no further impoverishment of the poorest fifth of the population; a guaranteed income that cannot be reduced; progressive coverage of essential needs; access to programs providing formation and facilitating integration into the labour market; an increase in the minimum wage.

[4] These words by Lucien Paulhus of Drummondville, who died on January 4th, 2000, appear in the Preamble to the proposed legislation.

[5] An isolated piece of legislation will never be sufficient to eliminate poverty, here or elsewhere. But it can enormously help a society and its government to attain this ideal.

[6] A document entitled World March of Women in the year 2000, Advocacy Guide to Women's world Demands is available at the Fédération des femmes du Québec (514-876-0166) or from women's groups in regions.

[7] For further information, contact the Collectif pour une loi sur l'élimination de la pauvreté : C.P. 1352 Terminus, Québec (Québec) G1K 7E5; Telephone 418-525-0040; Fax 418-525-0740; E-mail : pauvrete@clic.net