> $$$ Section 215, Criminal Code of Canada, heading = DUTIES TENDING TO THE
> PRESERVATION OF LIFE. "Every one is under a legal duty...to provide
> necessaries of life to a person under his charge if that person...is
> unable to provide himself with necessaries of life." Violations are
> indictable offences with a penalty not exceeding two years in prison. $$$
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 15:25:07 -0400
> From: Bob Olsen <bobolsen at INTERLOG.COM>
> Reply-To: Public Policy and First Nations Relations <FNR_PUBPOL at YORKU.CA>
> To: FNR_PUBPOL at YORKU.CA
> Subject: 20% Torontonians without basic necessities
>
> CITY OF TORONTO
>
> Attention News Editors:
>
> Report finds 20 per cent of Torontonians live without basic
> necessities
>
>
> TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - The (City of Toronto) Food and Hunger
> Action Committee's preliminary report finds a growing food
> crisis in the city, with 20 per cent of Torontonians unable to
> afford basic needs and facing difficult choices-such as paying
> rent or buying food.
>
> "We know there is something wrong when every month 50,000
> children in this city depend on food banks for their meals,"
> said Committee Co-chair Pam McConnell, Councillor for Don River.
> "One hundred and twenty thousand people are relying on food
> banks every month. We estimate 40 per cent of them are children
> and another 11 per cent are seniors."
>
> "We cannot call ourselves the greatest city in the world and
> the best place in the world to do business when so many people
> must rely on food banks, meal programs, volunteers and community
> groups to have their basic food needs met," said Co-chair Chris
> Korwin-Kuczynski, Councillor for High Park. "We know that chronic
> hunger leads to serious health problems in babies, children and
> adults. We cannot allow our poorest citizens to suffer permanent
> health damage because they don't have enough money to buy
> groceries."
>
> Cuts by senior levels of government to social programs and a
> serious lack of affordable housing are seen as pushing hunger to
> a critical point in Toronto. Food security is a complex problem
> and involves a wide range of issues including poverty, local
> agriculture, accessibility of grocery stores, and lack of
> transportation. Poor planning has left many communities without
> access to grocery stores or other affordable food sources. While
> emergency programs are helping to provide short-term solutions
> to the problem, they are unable to meet the growing demand or
> solve the causes of hunger. Research in the area of health and
> nutrition also points to serious long-term health implications
> for those who chronically go without nutritious food.
>
> Key findings in the report include:
>
> - The service system is straining and food security
> is a complex issue.
> - There are significant regional disparities across Toronto.
> - Food programs do make a difference.
> - The city already plays a strong role but needs to do more.
> All levels of government must do more.
>
> The Committee will consolidate findings of the community
> consultations into a final report to City Council in July 2000.
> The Food and Hunger Action Committee was struck by City Council
> in December 1999 with the mandate of improving food security and
> access to nutritious food and to reduce hunger in Toronto. The
> Committee toured the city to learn first hand about food and
> hunger issues directly from program users, providers and experts
> in the field.
>
> -30-
>
> For further information:
> Councillor Pam McConnell: (416) 392-7916
> Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski: (416) 392-7919
> Anne McLaughlin - Corporate Communications: (416) 397-5707
>