Letters
November 13th 2009
Re: “Re-thinking the anti-poverty strategy” by Gareth du Plooy (Oct. 29, page 9)
This letter is in response to Re-thinking the anti-poverty strategy, published October 28th 2009.
Unfortunately Mr. du Plooy fails to provide any “re-thinking” of an anti-poverty strategy in his article. His vacuous argument merely insults those fighting for a poverty-free Manitoba and creates unnecessary confusion. His argument can be summed up thus: Newcomers to Manitoba are better off here than they were before, so they better buck-up, get a job and quit whining.
As an immigrant to Manitoba, I can assure you that this is what most newcomers attempt to do. But the question remains: Why do 32 per cent of new immigrants live in poverty? Perhaps it’s because the qualifications of many immigrants aren’t recognized, forcing them to take low-wage jobs in the unskilled sector?
Perhaps they come here with no savings and no family to support them? Perhaps they are plagued by systemic racism that causes them to change their names or adopt western dress? Perhaps they don’t speak English?
These are all realities for newcomers, and as a conscientious and democratic society, it is our responsibility to make sure they aren’t condemned to indefinite poverty.
This doesn’t involve hampering their employment opportunities. Instead, it means helping them secure adequate housing, employment, childcare, education and training opportunities—supports designed to benefit all Manitobans.
These initiatives foster a more equitable society, provide a long-term economic stimulus and help thousands pull themselves out of poverty. The writer’s suggestion that poverty is an individual responsibility is not only ludicrous but has been disproved by reports too numerous to list.
Yes, newcomers are eager to prove themselves, but they expect more from their new home than a cold shoulder when they’re down and out.
This letter appeared in Volume 64, Number 11 of The Uniter, published November 12th 2009.
