Statement made on 09 December 2009 by Senator Jerahmiel Grafstein (retired)
Hon. Jerahmiel S. Grafstein:
Honourable senators, I have another question on a previous topic I have raised with the Leader of the Government in the Senate. There was a curious debate last Friday on the editorial page of a paper that often supports the government, the National Post. In an editorial, the debate concerned whether the percentage of people falling below the poverty line in Canada was 11.7 per cent or 12.5 per cent.
Frankly, I found that editorial amazing, but if the numbers are calculated, somewhere between 3,300,000 and 3,600,000-plus people in Canada are now living below the poverty line. It is clear to everyone, including economists, and the United States, in particular, that the stimulus package is not really helping the people at the poverty line or below it.
The question I ask of the government is: Having looked at the question for some time, has the government now thought of responding in a more targeted way to help those people who are living with children below the poverty line in Canada? It is a national disgrace.
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