LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
PEI Disability Alert: Poverty is often caused by disability. People with severe disabilities can rarely work full time. They fall below the poverty line quickly in our consumer society.
I realize I am late in responding to Mary Boyd’s guest opinion in an early January paper regarding the CBC Turkey Drive and poverty on our Island. But one is never too late in responding to a great idea.
First of all, I am the first to admit that I have supported meals for needy families in conjunction with the turkey drive over the years in my church and community. I also must say that, over the years, after all the time and effort that is spent by many dedicated individuals, these needy families will still be hungry/cold in a week or two.
I was very impressed by Mary Boyd’s strong recommendation for a poverty reduction strategy (PRS) that is being studied and even implemented in other areas. This initiative would seem very worthy for the Department of Social Services and the provincial legislature to study and implement as a new approach to provide an equitable distribution of the wealth to support Islanders with greater dignity than a beautiful generous meal one day of the year.
Mr. Premier, this can be your legacy to this province, a leader who desires to effect change to promote and enhance the lives of all Islanders. Let’s move forward and investigate this endeavour and many of us Islanders, including CBC, I bet, will be on board to support it for the betterment of all.
Gemma Dunn,
Charlottetown
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