Scott MacAfee (BBA'94) has been working on the difficult challenge of poverty in Canada for over 25 years: first with the Government of New Brunswick at the department of Social Development and the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation; then as chair of Canada's National Advisory Council on Poverty since 2019.
He's learned a few things over that time, but says the most important may be that poverty is about systemic inequity – and has very little to do with individuals.
"It's not about people doing something wrong," he asserts. "Poverty is often generational, hard to escape, or caused by systemic issues at some level. System inequity often keeps people down – especially women, minorities, people with disabilities and rural residents. Plus, Canadians are experiencing increased costs of living and inflation, increased mental health and addictions challenges, but wages, social supports and health supports have not kept up. Poverty is a systems challenge, and individuals, families and communities are left to deal with it."
Scott says that the National Advisory Council on Poverty is working with governments and communities to rethink our policies, systems and supports. "We do a lot of travel to communities across Canada to talk with front-line organizations and people experiencing poverty. We bring back data as well as stories, and then provide advice to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. We take what we learn, make recommendations and advocate for policy change."
The Council's latest annual report – it's Poverty Reduction Strategy – has outlined six tangible recommendations to address higher costs of living, increase food security, improve access to benefits and delivery of supports, and enable equity for marginalized groups.
"People don't like paying taxes, but they're just an investment in each other. When we care about each other, positive things happen."
Scott is a big proponent of putting individuals first and caring for each other. "When everyone – individuals, communities, governments – come together to share what we have to support one another, we can thrive. Safe and healthy communities are created by caring for one another and sharing our privilege. People don't like paying taxes, but they're just an investment in each other. When we care about each other, positive things happen."
While he's concerned about the rapid rise in poverty, he's also hopeful.
"These are our systems, so if there's enough public effort, coupled with political courage, we can change them. We can position policy to be on the lead as opposed to following behind rising needs. We can enable a care-based society and improve systems so they work for everyone. We often get caught up in making systems stronger and more efficient, but end up taking the human element out of them. We can instead design our systems to work for humans."
Scott, a native of Fredericton who still works from the capital city, affirms that his hometown is a great example of what a diverse, thriving, caring community can look like. "Fredericton is experiencing issues the same as every city right now, but we have individuals making a difference, healthy food and shelter programs making a difference, and community policies and investment making a difference. We need to continue, together, to share and to advocate for governmental social investment (which is sharing), so that we can continue to see positive results in reducing poverty. We're in this together."
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