WHAT IS AN EFFECTIVE ANTI-POVERTY TOOL?

What is not effective in lifting people out of poverty is an increase in the minimum wage. In an article written by Ron Kneebone,The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary, raising the minimum wage for working people does nothing to alleviate poverty, end homelessness, and improve the lives of persons with disabilities. He makes the case that people who would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage would be people who are working and the main problem with people living in poverty is that they cannot find employment. Furthermore, the people earning minimum wages are mostly young people between 15 and 24 years of age, working part-time, living with family or attending school (Statscan 2010). Programs targeting poverty directly would be a more appropriate use of funds. “An effective anti-poverty tool is one that targets those who are poor and provides them with a higher income.” Mr. Kneebone concludes that governments who want to effectively address poverty issues should “should focus on targeted income support programs that benefit not only those earning low wages but also those unable to find employment”. See the article at: Click Here