In October 2000, the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) released a report titled Urban Aboriginal Child Poverty: A Status Report on Aboriginal Children and their Families in Ontario. This report offers a snapshot of the reality of poverty for Aboriginal children and parents living off-reserve in Ontario, and identifies a number of recommendations to address this situation. Key informants, consisting of Aboriginal parents and front line workers, were interviewed in seven cities across Ontario and confirmed that the level of poverty among many Aboriginal families has now reached the rock bottom level where even the most basic needs are not being met. Food was cited as the most pressing need.

The report cites some alarming statistics that reveal the extent of the problem:

52.1% of all Aboriginal children are poor;

• 12% of Aboriginal families are headed by parents under the age of 25 years;
• 27% of Aboriginal families are headed by single mothers;
• 40% of single Aboriginal mothers earn less than $12,000 per year;
• 47.2% of the Ontario Aboriginal population receives less than $10,000 per year; and,
• Aboriginal people have a disability rate that is more than twice the national average.
  
  The distinct nature of Aboriginal child and family poverty in Canada is rooted in cultural fragmentation, multi-generational effects of residential schools, wardship through the child welfare system, and socio-economic marginalization. For reasons none other than "being Aboriginal", Aboriginal people have, for generations, grown up poor.

  The Situation
  
  One of the most pressing and immediate needs identified is the lack of food. Recent studies indicate that Aboriginal people are at least four times more likely to report experiencing hunger than any other ethnic group in Canada. Basic foods such as bread, milk and cereal are scarce in many Aboriginal families for two weeks of the month. It is well documented that inadequate nutrition leads to poor mental and physical development in children.

  Other concerns expressed in the report were lack of affordable and appropriate clothing, the effects of the elimination of rent controls, lack of subsidized and low income housing, lack of access to over-the-counter medications and basic supplies for infants, such as diapers, and lack of transportation to support programs and services.

  Health care professionals acknowledge that family poverty leads to poorer health status in children. Iron deficiency anaemia, dental caries, chronic ear infections, learning disabilities, poor school performance and increased suicide rates are among the health effects associated with child poverty levels.

  Workers and parents also spoke about the psychological effects of poverty on Aboriginal people in 100% of the interviews. Some of these effects are: low self-esteem, depression, anger, self-doubt, intimidation, frustration, feeling of being overwhelmed, shame and hopelessness.

  Consequences of Federal and Provincial Actions/Inactions

  Since 1995 child poverty rates in Ontario have increased by 6.3%, while decreasing in the rest of Canada by 11.1%. Several unilateral actions undertaken by the provincial government have significantly contributed to Aboriginal child and family poverty such as: cutting social assistance by 21.6%; eliminating 14,000 child care subsidies; reducing child welfare funding; reducing children's mental health services; and, "clawing back" the National Child Tax Benefit from social assistance recipients.

  The few provincial Aboriginal programs targeted for urban Aboriginal children, youth and families such as Healthy Babies, Healthy Children, although effective within their program criteria, are not sufficient to meet the broader needs which exist. Other programs specifically targeted to provide educational and social support to children between the ages of 6 to 12 years (Li'l Beavers) have been cut by the Ontario government, since 1995. The province has not established a formal consultative relationship with the collective leadership of Aboriginal communities and organizations in Ontario.

  Despite their commitment in 1989 to eliminate child poverty by the year 2000, the federal government has made little progress in addressing child poverty. Rather, they have contributed to poverty through reductions in federal transfers for provincial social and health programs, and changes in employment insurance. As a result, child poverty has increased by 49%. Nearly half a million more children are living in poverty. Today, 52.1% of all Aboriginal children are poor. Excellent Aboriginal-specific programs such as Aboriginal Head Start, the Community Action Program for Children, the Canadian Pre-natal Nutrition Program cannot, and do not have the mandate to, respond to the broad range of urgent socio-economic demands of Aboriginal people in urban centres. An additional barrier is the fact that the federal government has taken the policy position that Aboriginal peoples off-reserve are primarily the responsibility of the provinces.

  Both levels of government in Canada have failed to respond to the urgent socio-economic needs of Aboriginal children, youth and families in urban centres..

  Report Recommendations
  
  The Urban Aboriginal Child Poverty report concludes with twenty-three recommendations to initiate discussion about the nature of urban Aboriginal child poverty in Ontario, and outline possible areas of collaboration between Aboriginal organizations, First Nations, and all levels of government. The first set of recommendations outlines immediate program enhancements required from provincial and federal governments. The second set outlines areas wherein First Nations and Aboriginal organizations could more effectively collaborate on the issue of child and family poverty. The third set of recommendations outlines possible cooperative policy responses to the issue of child poverty. Recommendations for immediate consideration identify the need for:
  

• increases to social assistance rates;
• affordable housing;
• funding for food, diapers and medicine;
• transportation costs to existing programs;
• expansion of children's programs;
• resources to deal with high rates of Aboriginal teen pregnancies;
• reinstating Aboriginal-specific programming for 6 to 12- year-old children; and,
• the establishment of an Aboriginal mental health strategy for Ontario.

  Among cooperative policy responses to the issue, the report suggests:

• that all levels of government, First Nations and Aboriginal organizations address Aboriginal child poverty in their existing initiatives;
• acceptance of fiduciary responsibilities of both federal and provincial governments in dealing with Aboriginal people off-reserve;
• existing legislation and policy must ensure that Aboriginal people be responsible for the care and protection of Aboriginal children;
• recognition that Aboriginal children, youth and families need culturally-appropriate resources;
• inter-agency co-operation in dealing with the issue of child and family poverty;
• consideration of Aboriginal child poverty by foundations funded by government; and,
• a social action plan to eradicate child poverty in the Aboriginal community within ten years.

  Samples of Relevant Supporting Documentation
  
  Longitudinal Study of Children and Youth in Canada

  This quantitative study is of interest as it confirms the qualitative findings of the OFIFC's report: Urban Aboriginal families are among the poorest people in Canada.

  Human Resource and Development Canada and Statistics Canada used data for this study derived from the 1994 National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. A cross-section of the Canadian population was surveyed, excluding those people living on First Nations. Over 16,000 people responded to questions about hunger in their families.

  The study found that families of hungry children are:

• 13 times more likely to be on social assistance or welfare
• 8 times more likely to be headed by a single parent
• 4 times more likely to represent people of Aboriginal ancestry living off-reserve

  Campaign 2000's Report Card Campaign 2000 is a coalition of groups across Canada who come together to report on the status of child poverty in Canada and lobby for effective change. In November, Campaign 2000 released its latest "report card" which pointed out that one out of every two Aboriginal Children live in poverty. This can be compared to one in five children in the general population. The National Aboriginal Project Save the Children Canada recently released a report on the nature and depth of commercial sexual exploitation of Aboriginal children and youth across Canada. More than 150 commercially sexually exploited Aboriginal children and youth were interviewed through focus groups in twenty-two communities across Canada.

  The study depicts one of the harshest realities of poverty among Aboriginal children and youth who are forced into the sex trade in order to "survive". The study findings suggest that:

  Aboriginal children and youth form a disproportionately high percentage of the sex trade in Canada and it appears that Aboriginal youth participation in the sex trade is increasing.

• the rate of commercial sexual exploitation of Aboriginal children and youth has reached levels of more than 90% in some communities where the Aboriginal population is less than 10%.

• the serious over-representation of Aboriginal youth in the sex trade is directly linked to the unacceptably high level of risk factors which Aboriginal children and youth face, including alarmingly high poverty levels. A 1997 study in British Columbia reported that 80% of Aboriginal children in the province lived in poverty. It has been estimated that 50% of Aboriginal children, whether living on or off reserve, are living in poverty.

• poverty, violence, addictions, AIDS and suicide are common issues in the lives of youth involved in the sex trade.

• historical, cultural and economic factors are crucial in understanding the experiences of Aboriginal children and youth, and these factors must be taken into account in the development of programs for Aboriginal youth at risk. Many Aboriginal children and youth have inherited the pain and confusion their parents have experienced. This is identified as one of the root causes for the disproportionate representation of Native youth in the sex trade.

  National Children's Agenda

  The "National Children's Agenda" was developed following a public consultation in 1998 by the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Council of Ministers on Social Policy Renewal to develop a shared vision for improving the well-being of children in Canada. Five national Aboriginal organizations participated in the process. The document includes an Aboriginal perspective on children's issues. In May 1999, public feedback was invited on the draft vision, values, goals and areas for action outlined by the National Children's Agenda. Individuals commented:

  that special emphasis on Aboriginal children should be made in the vision statements;

• the importance of support for families of all types, including single parents should be emphasized;

• that some children need special support and steps must be taken to improve the circumstances of children living in poverty, including Aboriginal children living off-reserve;

• that child poverty is an extremely serious issue in Canada, and steps must be taken to provide children with basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter; and,

• that older children should not be overlooked and that activities for children of all ages must be promoted. Opportunities for older children and adolescents are crucial, as well as, an emphasis on affordable access to recreational and creative activities.

  Urban Poverty in Canada: A Statistical Profile This study was sponsored by the Canadian Council on Social Development's Urban Poverty Project to examine poverty in cities across Canada and search for factors underlying differences in these rates among communities. Data from the 1991 and 1996 Censuses was used for this study.

  The study findings conclude:

  Poverty in Canada is primarily an urban phenomenon, that is, a disproportionate number of the poor live in metropolitan areas.

• Poverty rates are indicators of the health of citizens and the state of institutions. As well, poverty rates are predictors of long-term health issues in children.

• In 1995, Aboriginal people in cities were more than twice as likely to live in poverty as non-Aboriginal people.

• The rate of poverty among urban Aboriginal people was the second highest of all groups examined. In cities, the average Aboriginal poverty rate was 55.6%, ranging from 40.8% in Burnaby up to 66.1% in Vancouver.

• Most of the cities with the highest proportions of Aboriginal people were also those with the highest Aboriginal poverty rates.

• There are real structural barriers preventing Aboriginal people from obtaining adequate incomes, contributing to their extreme poverty rates. The employment barriers faced by Aboriginal people attest to the fact that improvements in the labour market are not the only solution to their structural poverty.

• Benefits from Social Assistance (SA) and Employment Insurance (EI) are critical sources of income for poor families. Government transfers to poor households represent approximately 90% of their total income. Thus, recent cuts in these programs have resulted in dramatic reductions in government transfers to low income families. For instance, between 1989 and 1997, the proportion of the unemployed in Canada who received EI benefits declined from 83% to 43%. In Ontario, between 1995 and 1998, the number of social assistance recipients decreased by 19%.

• Support services can make a huge difference in poor people's lives, and can help prevent long-term poverty among certain groups (e.g., single mothers).

• Concerted efforts are needed among governments, the private sector, community groups and citizens in order to effectively address urban poverty in Canada.

  UN Report of the Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Canada is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The covenant binds all parts of federal states which, in Canada's case, includes the provinces. As a signatory, Canada is duty bound to report to a United Nations Human Rights Committee every five years on the measures they have adopted which give effect to the rights recognized in the Covenant.

  The October 1999 report of the United Nations Human Rights Committee outlines a number of concerns in relation to the Canada's adherence to the principles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The report addresses the following concerns of the Committee related to human rights issues in Canada:

  the situation of Aboriginal peoples in Canada is "the most pressing human rights issue facing Canadians".

• the Canadian government has not yet implemented the recommendations of the final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Thus, immediate action should be taken towards the implementation of the RCAP recommendations on land and resource allocation.

• inherent aboriginal rights cannot be revoked since this is incompatible with Article 1 of the Covenant.

• many women have been disproportionately affected by poverty, especially single mothers, due to social program cuts in recent years. An assessment of the impact of recent changes in social programs on women should be undertaken to redress any discriminatory effects of these policy changes.

  International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

  Canada is a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which, among other items, identifies the following

  Article 11: 1.

  "The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international cooperation based on free consent."

  The Covenant also binds States to undertake measures to ensure individuals are free from hunger and ensure the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Canada is obligated to report on a regular basis regarding its implementation of the Covenant. United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Among many other items, the Convention identifies "the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development." Furthermore: Article 27 3. States Parties, in accordance with national conditions and within their means, shall take appropriate measures to assist parents and others responsible for the child to implement this right and shall in case of need provide material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing. This Convention binds States to report every five years regarding its implementation. Government of Ontario Study, 1998 - The Early Years The study was commissioned by the Government of Ontario. In 1998 a reference group was established with Dr. Fraser Mustard as the Chair. The 185 page report has two functions: It brings together findings which support the need for early childhood intervention in the form of pre school programming and parenting supports; and, it interviews several stakeholder groups regarding their impressions of the current state of children's programming in Ontario. The report outlines a 憊ision' for a frame work and makes eleven recommendations. The purpose of the Study is to provide supportive arguments, most of which are economic, to the notion that the government and private sectors must invest in the early years (from conception to age six) in order for the province to be economically and socially healthy in the future. It is suggested that this investment be in the form of programming for children who are pre-schoolers and in the form of parenting supports. There is little mention of the issue of culturally specific programming. Aboriginal concepts which understand that development occurs at numerous stages of the life cycle are not reflected in the report's emphasis on the years from 0-6. However the report has led the provincial government to implement new initiatives to address childhood development such as a recent announcement to create an Early Years Challenge Fund. Speech from the Throne, January 2001 "Nowhere is the creation and sharing of opportunity more important than for Aboriginal people. Too many continue to live in poverty, without the tools they need to build a better future for themselves or their communities. As a country, we must be direct about the magnitude of the challenge and ambitious in our commitment to tackle the most pressing problems facing Aboriginal people...The Government is committed to strengthening its relationship with Aboriginal people...it will work to ensure that basic needs are met for jobs, health, education, housing and infrastructure. This commitment will be reflected in all the Government's priorities." The Liberal majority government began its third consecutive term with a speech from the throne which recognized the importance of addressing the socio-economic conditions of Aboriginal people in Canada. The Throne speech also put the general public on notice that "...Canadians must undertake another national project - to ensure that no Canadian child suffers the debilitating effects of poverty". Specific references were made to the expansion of Aboriginal Head Start, addressing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and the reduction in the number of Aboriginal people who come before the justice system.

  The Throne speech does not commit the government to establishing processes with Aboriginal organizations to address socio-economic conditions. However, it is clear that the federal government will consider Aboriginal socio-economic conditions as a priority consideration in all of its activities. February 2001