Canada could eradicate poverty if will is there

When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, the rampant poverty he observed in England in the 19th century was a daily facet of life. Any and all could distinguish the class lines that were created by the greed that the upper echelon of society created, just by a glance.

Today, however, seeing the lines of poverty is much more difficult because of the generational apathy that we show towards the most vulnerable. If the novel were written today, it would have to incorporate the realistic view of those who invisibly suffer in the depths of poverty, and the knowledge that they, themselves, cannot afford to participate in the season, other than to guiltily receive.

It would probably be named A Holiday Season’s Inequitability Tale, where the protagonist ignores the appeal for humanity and indulges in higher pricing for the season. Tiny Tim loses the leg and the family is made to cover all costs. Scrooge raises their rent and the three ghosts are indulgently stroking his pocketbooks, as he walks out the door to pawn the Cratchits’ television on New Year’s Day. The profit margin for the year achieved.

However, it is no longer just the failures of Scroogian members of society but the failure of our government when it comes to ignorance of the plight of those in poverty. We are a wealthy country. Yet we treat poverty with the disdain that we equally display in our exuberance toward financial excess and corporate profit.

We have the means, capabilities and know-how to eradicate poverty once and for all. But in order to do that, Scroogistic philosophies have to be altered throughout the year, and not just one day. That, we can all tacitly agree, would be a fantastical, yet hopeful, Christmas wish.

Troy J. Young, Toronto