We have a responsibility to help the poor...

The opening sentence of a story Wednesday in the Ottawa Citizen should concern us all: "We haven't progressed very far from the 'Let them eat cake' attitude of decapitated French royalty."

The story documented the findings of a recent survey conducted for the Salvation Army that looked at the attitudes of Canadians toward those people who are impoverished. The survey's findings are alarming.


They demonstrate a type of bigotry reminiscent of the British feudal days.

Instead of classes ranging from lords and ladies to serfs, the survey demonstrated the disdain many of us feel toward those in need.

According to the survey, almost half of Canadians actually believe that if someone wants to work, they can always find a job, regardless of the unemployment rate.


More than 40% of those surveyed think that a good work ethic is all someone needs to escape poverty.


It sounds plausible until you are the person looking for work. The survey also found that nearly 25% of us believe poor people are just lazy and that 28% of Canadians actually believe poor people have lower moral values than the rest of us.


Do we really think poor people are bad? What some of the people surveyed failed to consider is that many of those apparently in the middle class are just one pay cheque away from being poor. Too many of us have credit cards that are maxed out and a layoff could lead to financial ruin, especially if interest rates rise as predicted.


Those who dismiss the circumstances poor people face should remember: "There but for the grace of God go I."

Some of the homeless and destitute people we see on city streets do have substance abuse and mental health problems but they are no less deserving of support and guidance than any other person.


We have come to rely on organizations like the Salvation Army and other charities to reinforce Canada's sagging social safety net, to try to stop people from falling through it. But even organizations like the Army face difficult times.

The fact is poor people face challenges that are different from many of us. To put all of them in the same category ignores the reality of their situations.

In Nanaimo, Salvation Army officials are worried that its thrift stores aren't receiving enough donations.

These donations are cleaned up and sold at the Army's three thrift store locations to help provide operational funding for the New Hope Centre and the organization's meal and hamper programs.


Instead of being critical of those in need, for whatever reason, Canadians should focus their concern on federal and provincial governments who wash their hands when it comes to poverty issues and decide to download them onto the backs of already financially strapped municipalities.


Attitudes continually change but the needs of people for shelter, food and respect do not. There may be a few people who try to take advantage of social services wherever they live but the vast majority of poor people are just trying to make it through their day.


Hopefully, the Salvation Army's study does not reflect the attitudes of most Canadians.

There is no evidence that poor people are stupid, have lower moral values and are lazy.


Too few of us recognize that the people we see on the streets are but for their circumstances no different than the rest of us.

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