In the closing of his new book, Strength of Conviction, Tom Mulcair writes the following:
“Twenty-five years ago, a resolution was adopted unanimously by the House of Commons promising to eradicate child poverty. A quarter of a century later, one million children in our country are poor and go to bed hungry. I can’t accept that this is inevitable in a country as rich and as generous as ours.
Under the decades-long watch of the two old parties, Canadians have had to settle for ever-diminishing expectations. In 2015, for the first time in 150 years, Canadians will have the opportunity to vote for the change they want and get a government that keeps its promise. Together, with the strength of our convictions, we will build for our children and grandchildren a good and decent Canada where all can prosper, and no one is left behind.”
This aim to eradicate poverty is part of the core of what we New Democrats have stood for throughout our history. Parts of this movement toward egalitarianism have stumbled, but this path is one we absolutely must continue to follow; there is no justification for allowing preventable suffering or for neglecting the generosity, resolve and insight that arise when we are at our best.