The Government of Canada’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and The Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA), is conducting a study on a federal government contribution to poverty reduction in Canada. On July 15, 2009 the Life and Mission Agency submitted to the Standing Committee a Brief for consideration as this study is conducted.

The brief included the following recommendations:

1. The Presbyterian Church in Canada is concerned that Aboriginal people not be left even further behind in the current recession. Adequate resources should be allocated so that there are new opportunities to address pressing social needs, reduce the levels of poverty, improve the infrastructure, and support economic development in Aboriginal communities.
2. The federal government introduce a national poverty reduction strategy.
3. The federal and provincial/territorial governments collaborate in establishing a national social housing program.
4. Employment Insurance coverage should be expanded to make it more accessible and benefit rates and the maximum benefit period should be increased.

This brief was informed by Justice Ministries’ 2007 report "The Growing Gap in Canada: Building The Common Good – Reaching Out To Our Neighbours," adopted by the 133rd General Assembly (Acts & Proceedings of The 133rd General Assembly, pp. 329 – 336, 2007).