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r~. _______ _________ -u Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Buckets of generosity Maple Hill Tree Services held another succesaful food for firewood fundraising swap Saturday. Wlth armfuls of donated food are (from left) Brandy Underwood, Andrew Frederlkse, David Klrkpatrlck and Greg HIi. In the front end loader bucket la some of Mr. Hils flrewood. Numbers of poor children worrying for social council By BRAD REAUME and MERLE REEDHEAD Child poverty appears to be growing, despite a 1989 govemment resolution to eliminate it by 2000. One in five children in Canada and one in 17 in Halton lives in poverty, accordîng to a study released by the Halton Social Planning Council. The report was prepared by Canada 2000, a coali- tion of 25 national partniers and 37 community and provincial pantners, including the Halton Social Planning Council. Using 1991 Statistics Canada figures - the latcst available - single individuals with an annual income of $ 12,433 or less, and a family of four living on $24,622 or leas are considered poor in Halton. There are approximately 3,335 single parent or two parent families in the region with 6,185 children that (aIl below this level. Numbers on rise Despite the scarcity of more recent statistics, Halton social planner Lynne Calderbank believes other crite- ria clearly indicate the numbers in the region are on the ri se. "inm sure Halton would be in line with those fig- ures," said Ms Calderbank, referring to a 58 per cent increase since 1989 in the number ofchildoen living in poverty acrosa the country. "Other indicators seem to concur with that, includ- ing the use of food banka in the region and the increase in those claiming assistance." The report states that the Il regional food banks have experienced an average monthly increase from 1,208 families per manth in 1994 ta 1,426 in 1997. There bas also heen a rise in short term social assis- tance cases from 1,091I in April 1989 to 1,846 in April of this year, while the number of long termi family benelit ailowance cases has jumped over 50 per cent since 1989 ta 3,872. 1Some of the increases can be attributed ta a growing population, Ms Calderbank said. But past reductions in federal payments ta the provinces, a 22 per cent cut in provincial welfare pay- ments and municipal takeovers of anme social services services have also taken their toîl. Fuyther downloading from the province is scheduled for January and will only make matters; worse, she added. 'IThere are going to be a lot of questions when the region bas ta pay for more of these programs," Ms Calderbank said. "Halton will become responsible for housing and more of the social assistance cost and it seema the only way ta pay for this will be through tax increases." The council says 1.47 million children now live in poverty, compared ta 934,000 in 1989 wben the feder- al govemrment set the goal of eliminating child paver- ty by 2000. Ms Calderhank sad more accurate figures will be available ncxt year when information front the 199 census will be included. The council makes several recommendations for govemment including: " Tax benefits for poor families " Improved employment training " A comprehensive child care plan " Supports for the development of non-profit hous- ing - An increase in the minimum wage. Poverty is most usually tied ta poor economic con- ditions, however age. health and geographic factors alan contribute. According ta the counicil 44 per cent of poor fami- lies had ane parent in the labour force and a further 30 per cent of poor fami lies had bath parents working. Minimum wage too low The council points ta the inadequacy of minimum wages, the high cost of rent and food as contributors ta poverty in Halton. They quote the average rent for a three bedroom apartment in Halton at $947 per month and the coat of feeding a famîly of four at $463 per montb. In addition, a family of four on social assis- tance receives a maximum of $14,568 per year, whicb is about, $10,000 less than the established poverty line, according ta the council's report. The counicil points to higb infant death rates, low birth weight, high incidence of childhood disability and higher achool dropout rates among those in poor circumstances. The Halton Social Planning Cauncil is a partner in Campaign 2000, a Canada wide coalition of commu- nity groupa which las cammitted ta promoting and securing full implementation of the House of Cammons resolution against child poverty." Ms Calderbank said there were anme things which private business or volunteers could do ta belpi case child poverty. She suggested a corparate sponsored breakfast program. 5 speed, Magnum V6, air cond. tilt, cassette, a wheets. 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