A report released today by The Salvation Army finds that many Canadians continue to believe persistent myths about poverty and the poor. The study is being released in conjunction with the launch of The Dignity Project, a campaign designed to educate and inform the public about the challenges facing society's most vulnerable people.
While the research, conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion, reveals that Canadians consider poverty to be the third most pressing issue facing the country today, numerous misconceptions about the poor still endure.
Key findings include:
“It's clear from this data that many continue to believe well-worn myths about what it means to live in poverty,” said Commissioner William Francis, leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “Our hope is that by educating the public through the Dignity Project, we can debunk some of these myths and help put dignity within reach for every Canadian.”
Please visit www.SalvationArmy.ca to read the report in its entirety.
The Dignity Project is designed to inspire and educate the public about what it means to live in poverty – and what they can do to help. Through online events, on-the-street outreach, traditional advertising, social networking and other communications tactics, The Salvation Army will engage Canadians about the reality of poverty in the 21st century. Additional information is available at www.salvationarmy.ca/dignity.
“The Salvation Army has always taken a holistic approach to service and we make every effort to provide a sense of dignity to all of our clients – even those who come to us in their darkest hour,” said Commissioner Francis. “Promoting the importance of human dignity is a natural fit for us as an organization.”
The Salvation Army provides direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.6 million people in Canada each year, restoring hope and dignity to the most vulnerable in society. As an international Christian church that welcomes everyone, The Salvation Army's faith motivates its mission to serve and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Learn more at www.SalvationArmy.ca/Dignity.
While the research, conducted by Angus Reid Public Opinion, reveals that Canadians consider poverty to be the third most pressing issue facing the country today, numerous misconceptions about the poor still endure.
Key findings include:
- Nearly 50 percent of Canadians feel that a family of four could get by on $10,000 – $30,000 per year or less
- Nearly half of all Canadians feel that if poor people really want to work, they can always find a job
- Nearly 40 percent believe people who live in poverty in Canada “still have it pretty good”
- 41 percent believe that the poor would “take advantage” of any assistance given and “do
nothing” with support provided - About a quarter of Canadians believe that people are poor because they are lazy and have lower moral values than average
- 96 percent of Canadians believe that everyone deserves a sense of dignity, but only 65 percent believe that being poor can rob you of dignity
“It's clear from this data that many continue to believe well-worn myths about what it means to live in poverty,” said Commissioner William Francis, leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “Our hope is that by educating the public through the Dignity Project, we can debunk some of these myths and help put dignity within reach for every Canadian.”
Please visit www.SalvationArmy.ca to read the report in its entirety.
The Dignity Project is designed to inspire and educate the public about what it means to live in poverty – and what they can do to help. Through online events, on-the-street outreach, traditional advertising, social networking and other communications tactics, The Salvation Army will engage Canadians about the reality of poverty in the 21st century. Additional information is available at www.salvationarmy.ca/dignity.
“The Salvation Army has always taken a holistic approach to service and we make every effort to provide a sense of dignity to all of our clients – even those who come to us in their darkest hour,” said Commissioner Francis. “Promoting the importance of human dignity is a natural fit for us as an organization.”
The Salvation Army provides direct, compassionate, hands-on service to more than 1.6 million people in Canada each year, restoring hope and dignity to the most vulnerable in society. As an international Christian church that welcomes everyone, The Salvation Army's faith motivates its mission to serve and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Learn more at www.SalvationArmy.ca/Dignity.
Our founder William Booth wrote In Darkest England and the Way Out, “Of all heart-breaking toil the hunt for work is surely the worst.” (p. 41) Most poor people work diligently at trying to find work, even when their spirit is deeply wounded by rejection after rejection from prospective employers. Booth’s vision of the plight of the poor is just as relevant today as so many people seek to escape the darkness and hopelessness it brings.
Those who think poverty is a result of a moral defect should take some time to spend with those who are poor. They should see how they desperately try to escape the vicious cycle of poverty. They should know what it means to either pay your rent or for your food, but not both. And as for transportation, well, that’s merely a dream.
There will be those who choose to be educated and those who choose to remain ignorant. It is the prayer of my heart that God will open the eyes of those who truly want to know what poverty means, and what they can do to be part of its solution.
I prefer to believe that in a country as great as ours that we can work together to not only educate the public about poverty, but also be active participants in helping people escape it.
Every person is special in the eyes of God. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity. To do any less than this is cruel.