MYTHS ABOUT POVERTY

One just never knows what is going to happen next.

I hadn't planned to say more about poverty this soon, but the following story was too good, meaning too bad, to pass up.

A report by the Salvation Army shows that myths about poverty are rampant in Canada. Myths are rampant.

I find that incredibly sad. I actually thought Canadians were better informed than that. I guess I am wrong.

More than half of Canadians think a family of four can get by on $30,000 a year, or less. (That's a bit less than £20,000.) A similar number of Canadians believe that if poor people really want to work, "they can always find a job."

I can't believe that. Has nobody heard that unemployment in Canada is up at nine per cent?

Other "delights" in the Salvation Army's report:
• 43 per cent of Canadians agree that "a good work ethic is all you need to escape poverty,"
• 41 per cent believe the poor would "take advantage" of any assistance given to them and "do nothing."
• 23 per cent say poor people are in that position because they're lazy,
• 28 per cent say the poor have "lower moral values."

And so it goes. Myths.

An Army spokesman provided a valuable insight. "I don't think Canadians are mean-spirited. I don't think they are not compassionate," says Andrew Burditt. "Sometimes those of us who don't have problems are far enough removed from the struggles of everyday life that it's too easy for us to say, 'Just get a job.'" I understand that all too well — how easy it is to blame the victim. I think it's time for us to do a collective "reality check."

The Salvation Army says about one Canadian in eleven (9 per cent) is living in poverty. I can well believe that. If anything, I'd say that's a bit low. Certainly it would vary from region to region.

In the meantime, the lives of good Canadians are bedevilled by myths.