Where is the compassion and empathy?

The Common Front for Social Justice is concerned about the dehumanizing comments in the media towards people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Moncton area.

Homelessness and poverty are social problems that require a multifaceted intervention and structural solutions. Austerity measures and chronic underfunding of our social programs have made social problems in New Brunswick more complex. The government continues to underfund social housing, social assistance, our health care system, our public services and community organizations. The solution is not to move people to an industrial park or out of the neighbourhoods where services are provided, but to reinvest in our social safety net. Where is the compassion, empathy and openness to others?

The past year has seen the highest inflation rates in 40 years. When rent control ended in December 2022, New Brunswickers received rent increases ranging from 80 per cent to over 100 per cent. Food inflation and more expensive groceries, as well as increases in electricity and fuel rates, continue to impact living conditions. The current minimum wage is not a living wage. Basic social assistance rates were the lowest in the country in 2021 and are still among the lowest in Canada, even with this year’s increase based on the Consumer Price Index. The majority of New Brunswickers are living paycheque to paycheque. People are struggling to make ends meet.

We must be concerned about the increase in homelessness and poverty throughout our province, but we must address these concerns to the government to strengthen our social safety net. People experiencing homelessness and poverty are members of our communities and full residents of New Brunswick in their own right. Too often, the wealthiest react with disgust and “not in my backyard” attitude (“NIMBY-ism”). Shutting out and excluding people experiencing homelessness and poverty will hurt them even more and create greater social problems — not to mention, they are violent actions.

If you are concerned and care about these issues, consider supporting the work of front-line community organizations, service providers, advocacy groups and anti-poverty organizations like the Common Front that are demanding better living and working conditions in New Brunswick. Showing compassion and empathy, listening to people’s stories and fostering social coexistence can go a long way.

Janelle LeBlanc is provincial coordinator of the New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice.