News
April 12, 2010
Mayor Fred Eisenberger responds to Spectator ‘Code Red’ series The Hamilton Spectator is to be congratulated for undertaking this series of stories on this important issue.
The reporters and editors who have undertaken this thoughtful series have performed an invaluable public service. Although the series will continue to be published in the days to come I wish to comment now to underline the importance of this issue to me and to the Corporation of the City of Hamilton.
In Hamilton, the thing that binds us together as a community more than anything is a common concern for each other. That is why poverty in all its forms is unacceptable in our community. That is why Hamilton, as a community, is a leader in fighting poverty.
This timely series by the Hamilton Spectator is further evidence of this. The City of Hamilton is a strong supporter of the efforts of the Jobs Prosperity Collaborative (JPC) and the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction. Initiatives such as these have made Hamilton a leader in reducing poverty and other communities look to Hamilton’s approach as a model.
The best way to end poverty is to increase prosperity. That’s why we are encouraged by the recent Conference Board of Canada report which says Hamilton is poised for 3.3 per cent economic growth, which would make Hamilton the third-fastest growing economy in the entire country.
Significant wins by the city’s economic development team attracting companies such as Canada Bread and the Tim Hortons coffee roasting facility means the Hamilton economy is gaining momentum towards prosperity. Poverty will never be ended unless we set measurable goals.
I believe we need to set a clear, concrete, community-wide poverty reduction target like the 25 in 5 Hamilton Network for Poverty Reduction’s goal to reduce poverty by 25 per cent in five years. No one community can do it alone. That’s why we work closely with the Ontario government which has set a Poverty Reduction Strategy for the province. Working with the provincial government, we have leveraged $27 million in funding for poverty reduction priorities in Hamilton.
We also look forward to working with the federal government. The ‘Code Red’ series by the Hamilton Spectator is a timely reminder that we need to redouble our efforts and work harder than ever before for the betterment of everyone in our community. -
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Media enquiries:smavumba@hamilton.ca
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