Ecumenical coalition scolds Conservatives

The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition isn't shy about criticizing the federal Conservatives while the election is on. In an editorial in it's September newsletter the Ontario coalition of faith communities takes the Conservatives to task.

ISARC accuses the federal Conservatives of making life harder for poor people.

"Child care funds were cut back, important agreements with Native Canadians were rescinded, and tax cuts were implemented for the affluent," said the unsigned editorial. "Instead of looking at the cause of crime, the Conservative Party pushed an agenda to increase punishment — when crime was decreasing."

ISARC blames the Conservative government for dysfunction in the Employment Insurance system which sees only 22 per cent of laid off Toronto workers able to collect benefits compared to an average of 35 per cent for Ontario as a whole. ISARC also wonders when or whether talks will resume between the provinces and the federal government on affordable housing. The present funding program runs out in March 2009.

"Questions about poverty reduction need to be raised at all MP candidate meetings," says the ISARC newsletter.

The newsletter has not been posted to ISARC's web site. However, you can sign up for its e-mail list by writing to [email protected].