Child poverty persists 25 years after Canada promised to end it

Twenty-five years ago today, MPs of all political parties voted unanimously in the House of Commons to bring an end to child poverty by the start of a new millennium. Four Prime Ministers later, child poverty has persisted. Today we hear from Ed Broadbent, the man behind the motion and from some people who know all too well about the persistence of poverty.

Whatever their philosophical basis, whether they're Conservatives or Liberals or New Democrats, I know there isn't the slightest bit of difference in terms of their commitment to the well-being of children. However else we may differ on other political matters -- and the differences are real, are serious -- on this issue there are no differences. We have the resources, we have the ability. Let us affirm to day in this parliament that as a nation at the beginning of the 21 century only 11 years away, child poverty, in this great Canada, will be a relic of the past.Ed Broadbent, former NDP leader

It was 25 years ago today since then NDP leader Ed Broadbent urged his fellow MPs to end the blight of child poverty. The idea was more than just popular; his motion passed unanimously.

But we're fourteen years into the 21st century and in some ways the problem is worse.

Ed Broadbent is now the Chair of the Broadbent Institute, an independent, non-partisan organization working for progressive change through the promotion of democracy. He was in our Ottawa studio.

Our three guests have a personal connection with child poverty - they have lived it.

• Mike McKenzie the national Aboriginal youth representative for the National Association of Friendship Centres. He is from Skeetchestn First Nations in B.C.

• Rachelle Bloomfield is a youth outreach worker with the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

• Vitta Morales is a high school student. He was in our Fredericton studio.

This segment was produced by The Current's Pacinthe Mattar and Marc Apollonio.