The number one demand churches are making from campaigning federal politicians is a concrete plan to reduce and end poverty in Canada. The CCC calls for a federal "Anti-Poverty Act" that would commit Ottawa to measurable goals and timelines, publicly comprehensible indicators of poverty and a mechanism for monitoring progress towards poverty reduction goals.
The consortium of 23 churches representing about 85 per cent of Canada's Christians lays out seven other priorities:
- A plan to meet Canada's United Nations commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on overseas development aid;
- A climate change strategy that will credibly contribute to keeping the average global temperature rise under two degrees by 2050;
- A shift in Canada's commitment to Afghanistan away from military solutions;
- A diplomatic commitment to work towards eliminating nuclear weapons;
- Ratifying the United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions;
- New legislation to prevent human trafficking and prosecute traffickers;
- Increased spending on alternatives to prison and effective rehabilitation for offenders in the criminal justice system.
In past election campaigns party leaders have taken the time to seriously answer CCC letters, said Hamilton.
"When you know the weight of representation carried by a letter like this, we do expect some response," she said.
Hamilton acknowledges the CCC is unlikely to get a positive response from any party on all eight demands.
"We do these things because they're right," she said.
{iarelatednews articleid="3391,3131,4312"}