Bring the Charge to beautiful, easily accessible Kanata | Letters to the Editor

Two articles in Saturday’s paper point out that poverty is behind the need for food banks and the lack of affordable housing. To quote Striving for a Decent Place to Live: “Studies have shown that living in decent affordable housing improves people’s health and self-esteem, and that supportive, accessible neighbourhoods fosters social interaction, networks and innovation.” I agree that building the kind of 30% of income rental housing should be the first priority of government investment in our citizens, so that they have opportunities and encouragement to go back to school or start a business, or otherwise contribute to their society and economy. Providing a federal basic income, adjusted to the cost of living wherever people reside, rather than the politically punitive, poverty-inducing disability and support programs now in effect, would reduce the need for food banks maintained by charities. Tax those with more than sufficient discretionary income to provide the funds needed to pull citizens from below the poverty line. Read More