LETTER TO THE EDITOR

SUPPORT CAMPAIGN

Thank you for your articles of March 10 and 11 on the Poverty Costs campaign.

That there is a human cost to poverty is evident to everyone. It’s difficult to maintain a job when you don’t know where you will spend the night. It’s hard to concentrate at school when you’re hungry.

That there is a financial reason for focusing on the factors that cause poverty is an important rationale for action. Too often, conversations about poverty have been caught up in ideological debate. It’s time to put this behind us.

The information supplied by this campaign on the poverty-reduction strategies implemented by provincial and territorial governments of varying political stripes helps to move the conversation forward.

Now that we know that paying to address the effects of poverty costs more than working to reduce poverty, let’s seize the opportunity to enhance our poverty-reduction efforts.

We can create clear targets, timelines and accountability mechanisms. A comprehensive plan not only will reduce the human cost of poverty, it will ensure that we are using our resources effectively and responsibly.

Unitarians have a long tradition of supporting public policy that’s based in sound research and best evidence available. We are proud to support this campaign for a comprehensive, legislated provincial poverty reduction strategy.

We can do this. We can honour the Saskatchewan legacy of strong, hardworking communities and we can live in a province where everyone has access to true health and wellbeing. Responsible and compassionate use of our funds to tackle poverty can improve many lives. Dr. Nazeem Muhajarine President, board of directors Rev. Karen Fraser Gitlitz Minister, Unitarian Congregation of Saskatoon