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Meri Perra

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affordable housing (10), homelessness, politics (18), recession (2)

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A panel of representatives from the federal Liberal, Green and NDP parties spoke to an aggravated crowd at the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto last Tuesday. Politicians were frequently heckled as each described party platforms to pull out of recession.

Liberal MP Derek Lee, NDP MP Tony Martin and Rebecca Harrison of the Green party, sat on a panel along with representatives from labour and anti-poverty groups.

The town hall was organized by the Recession Relief Coalition (RRC). The group surveyed each federal party about social spending in areas such as housing and funding non-profit agencies.

RRC member John Andras, who moderated the event, said all opposition parties responded to the survey.

“It’s important for Canadians to know where their current or future government … would stand on issues that are so important to many,” Andras said.

To symbolize the Conservative party’s absence, a picture of Stephen Harper giving two thumbs up, was seated with the panel.

It was a tough room, which Martin liked to parliamentary question period. Members of the audience frequently got up to leave. Heckles were not always on topic.

Audience member René Adamshas attended RRC events in the past. She said she understands the crowd’s frustration.

“There are a lot of people that are frustrated and stressed out at what seems to be a lack of government commitment at any level to really help address systemic issues related to poverty,” Adams said.

Martin said he felt optimistic because some provincial governments have stepped up the plate and came up with anti-poverty strategies, but continued that feds need to follow suit.

“Without the federal government at the table… (provinces) are limited by what they can do,” he said. “I’m hopeful that within the not too distant future we’ll take seriously the responsibility that we have for each other.”

Peter Clutterbuck of the Social Planning Network of Ontario spoke about the challenges facing non-profit agencies, which need to provide services in the face of government cutbacks.

“Our challenge is to get at the broad picture of the voluntary sector,” Clutterback said.  “(It) can only do its role when it is resourced and recognized as a true partner, rather than a place to dump responsibility.”

Lee described the Liberal party’s position on responsible government spending. He said his party has three priority issues: a national housing strategy, childcare and early learning.

“There is not a one step solution,” Lee said. “You can’t just flick the switch and spend more money.”

For her part, Harrison spoke about what the Green party sees as a lack of transparency within the Harper government. She said that the lowest-income Canadians are going to be effected the hardest and longest by the recession.

She also spoke of the EI deficit and the Conservative plan to raise EI premiums for employers and workers.

“The EI fund used to be over $50 billion surplus,” Harrison said. “It now stands at a $10.9 million dollar deficit. What is alarming is the way they plan to recoup that money.”