Tell BC government: We need a new social covenant
The steering committee of Faith in Action, a multi-faith social action/justice organization in Victoria BC, has worked over the past months on a statement expressing our concerns and responsibilities as citizens of British Columbia in the form of a new social covenant.
It is our hope that you will read our document (see web site below), share it with friends and colleagues, and if this is something that speaks to you and your values, please sign this petition and join us on the steps of Legislature on October 8 at 11:30am. We envision a large gathering of our diverse citizenry present to affirm this social covenant.
Our website is http://www.victoriafaithinaction.ca/
New Social Covenant
Human Dignity
We believe that human life is sacred. Respecting a person’s dignity is the basis for a moral society.
Community and the Common Good
We believe that all people are sacred and social. The way we organize our society – in economics, law and policy – affects our dignity and our ability to participate in our communities. The role of government is to protect us, to provide the means for all of us to live in dignity, and to promote the common good.
Rights and Responsibilities
We believe a healthy community protects our rights and ensures that everyone has what is needed for a decent life. We all have duties and responsibilities to one another, to our families and to the larger society.
Responsibility for those who are poor and vulnerable
We believe a basic moral test for our society is how well those of us living in poverty and who are vulnerable are faring.
Participation
We believe that everyone has the right to participate in the economic, political and cultural life of society. It is wrong for anyone to be excluded or to be unable to participate in society due to poverty or disability.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
We believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. We must protect the dignity of work and respect the basic rights of workers – the right to earn just wages and to organize and join unions.
Our first goal
That no child should live in poverty.
Our challenges
1. Provide equal access to decent housing and nutritious food
2. Stop clawing back child support from welfare recipients
3. Raise the welfare rates for families
4. Involve families of children living in poverty in any decisions affecting them
5. Implement a guaranteed annual income
6. Implement a living wage law
7. Report progress on reducing child poverty annually.
