Like you, I too care deeply about the issue of poverty in Canada.  Like you, I find it completely unacceptable that anyone should live in our country without basic needs being met, that some do not have fair access to opportunity and security in the fullest meaning of that word.  Like you, I am convinced solutions to poverty are before us, that what is most lacking is sufficient political will, backed by public will, to make these solutions real.
 
Earlier this year I accepted an invitation to join Canada Without Poverty as one of its Honorary Directors, the roster of which includes four individuals well known to many of you: the Hon. Louise Arbour, the Hon. Monique Bégin, the Hon. Ed Broadbent and Mr. Ovide Mercredi.  I accepted this invitation because I support what Canada Without Poverty and its allied group, the CWP Advocacy Network are striving towards: public policy decisions that will realize lasting, meaningful outcomes for people in or at risk of falling into poverty.  I am pleased to be now advising their organizational leaders on questions of policy, parliamentary strategy and more.
 
Within the context of a current major gift campaign, we are striving to raise $150,000 before mid-December from among individuals like you – current or prospective individual donors who know that solutions to poverty must be rooted in systemic change, for example serious reform of income security systems and approaches to ensuring the right to housing is honoured.  Will you please join me, then, in making a financial investment in this campaign, at a level you can afford?  Your contribution will support a range of actions such as those outlined in the Case for Support, available on-line at the Canada Without Poverty web site.  If you have never given to Canada Without Poverty, I hope you will now do so for the first time.  Your contribution is tax-deductible.  A tax receipt can be provided immediately by donating through CanadaHelps, which we encourage you to use especially at this time with the current Canada Post mail strike.
 
Thank you,
 
Right Hon. Joe Clark

**Reposted from:
CANADA WITHOUT POVERTY
Working in alliance with the CWP Advocacy Network