Poverty in Waterloo Region… Is this REALLY OK with you?
The data in the section of Root Causes of Crime in Waterloo Region titled Income of Low Income Families is no surprise to those of us who are familiar with poverty-related issues in our regional community. In fact, in Waterloo Region, 36 earners make more than $2.57M; 360 make more than $685K; 3,610 (the top 1%) make more than $396K. Individuals who make more than $81,200 are in the top 10%. On the other hand, the median income of the bottom 50% is $14,100!* In 2007, one third of employed individuals were earning $14.00/hour or less. This is poor – it may not be deep (or absolute) poverty, but it is precariously close to it.
Another point I’d like to make has to do with the title: ‘Income for Low Income Families’. I’m concerned that when we (government, media and community groups) use only the word ‘family’ or ‘children’ in our communications about poverty, we further stigmatize the ‘individual’. By leaving out the word ‘individual’ are we not practicing a type of exclusion even as we talk about and promote inclusion? Now, I know that the use of the word ‘individual’ in conjunction with poverty has greater stigma attached to it than the word ‘family’ or ‘children’ and most likely this is why many of us omit the ‘i’ word. But is this REALLY okay with you?
This brings me to the issue that is – in my opinion – the root of all root causes and needs the highest priority in order to significantly reduce and prevent poverty in the long term – this is the stigmatization of people living in poverty. Societal attitudes/values impact our political voting choices and influence policy decisions. It’s my belief that if enough of us TRULY believed that everyone was a valuable member of society, we’d have much better policies in place reflecting that belief.
Since 2007, as resources allow, Opportunities Waterloo Region has been working on an initiative to shift societal attitudes towards people living in poverty. As a result of the early work completed by partners from across Canada, a three-phase strategy was developed. The three steps are:
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research deep-seated attitudes of Canadians towards people living in poverty,
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research best practices, and
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develop a comprehensive, long-term multi-faceted approach to shift these attitudes.
The research step is critical. We think we know what the attitudes are, but these might be ones that are only visible on the surface. We need to know what the deep-seated societal attitudes are and how (or if) they connect to one another, so that we can create an effective communications strategy. Lofty goal? Big job? You bet!
This project stalled because we could not find the research dollars to begin the first step. Then in 2011, as a result of Opportunities Waterloo Region’s long-term partnership with Dr. Terry Mitchell, Associate Professor, Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, we were able to begin a project to research deep-seated societal attitudes towards people living in poverty. Some of the data collected over the two years was analyzed, the results of which was presented at the May 28th Community Conversations Series event. You can view the presentation here. The findings were discussed and ideas for next steps considered. A fact sheet is currently being developed and will be share in our September newsletter.
If you’d like a copy of the fact sheet or further information about the research project, please let me know. Although we don’t have all the answers yet, progress has been made, various strategies to shift attitudes are being discussed, and we are having deeper conversations about these attitudes – all very important early steps.
The research will continue in 2013-2014. Stay tuned for updates as they develop by reading about this project on our website.
*Data analysis by Ernie Ginsler using Statistics Canada Data, 2010.
Author: Since 2004, Mary MacKeigan has been the Executive Director of Opportunities Waterloo Region, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and reduction of poverty. She has more than 20 years of experience in the field of poverty prevention, reduction and alleviation.
I agree that we need to look at the overall impact that poverty has, emotionally, physically, mentally, and economically. We also need government support to quash the myths that poor people must be to blame for their own demise. I have to say that I am a child poverty activist.. not to say that I don’t believe that poverty should not exist, but aside from that being my mandate for work, I believe we have to start somewhere, and it may as well be with our most vulnerable of citizens- our children.
I know the difficulties people face when living in poverty, and believe that if we could tell the whole story to each and every Canadian a majority would be truly appalled that, as a country, we are doing nothing to stop the suffering.
It doesn’t help that the current federal government has taken measures to stifle information about how we are doing. Funding was pulled from Kairos, the mandatory long-form census was abolished, and then they closed down The National Council of Welfare.
Meanwhile the rich are piling their money ever higher, the middle class are disappearing before our eyes, and the poor are sinking even deeper. Let’s not wait until it’s too late, we need to take action and do something.
I once asked poor families if they vote, many said no. They thought people didn’t care, or they didn’t understand the gobbledegook.. what if all the poverty stricken families and anyone else caring about them voted for the government that would help them the most? There will be a time when the people will speak with one voice.. hopefully it will come soon, so that another generation will not have to suffer.
Great comments, Lyn. Sharing personal stories so that other Canadians may understand what the experience of poverty is really like is one very important and effective way to dispel myths and can lead to positive action to “do something”.
Increasing voter turnout is also very important and something Opportunities Waterloo Region is working on, but everyone (most importantly, people with lived experience of poverty) needs to promote this action during the elections of all levels of government. Ideas on how to mobilize voting are welcome.
You’re right Lyn – voting is one important aspect of the bigger picture. Have you seen the local initiative “Better Choices Waterloo Region”? http://www.betterchoiceswaterlooregion.com/ This group will helping to encourage active participation in the 2014 Municipal Elections.
I viewed the research results with interest. Something we have come to realize in working with low income women is how keenly aware people living in poverty are about the perceptions others hold. We discovered it to be an important factor that held people in poverty back from participating more broadly in community life (one of your posters mentioned voting, for instance). They expressed a fear of standing out negatively, or being judged by others for being poor.
One of the findings that jumped out for me was how the subjects held mothers most responsible for children growing up in poverty. Many women blame themselves every day for not being able to provide adequately for their kids – even when their situation is directly attributable to the experience of domestic violence, sexual abuse, etc. It strikes me as cruel in the extreme (though not suprising) that this self-blame is shared by the general public. Looking forward to seeing the next phase of this project!