Religious leaders from a number of traditions expressed their strong concern this morning about the lack of attention to the issue of poverty in the current provincial election campaign.

A media conference on the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. James brought together leaders from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities to voice support for a Poverty Free Ontario.

Moderated by United Church Minister Rev. Susan Eagle, Chair of the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC), the event highlighted statements from Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi from the Canadian Council of Imams, Anglican Bishop the Right Reverend M. Philip Poole, and Myer Siemiatycki, President of the Jewish Congregation of Darchei Noam.  Rene Adams, a social activist with the Toronto Christian resource Centre and with personal experience living on social assistance also addressed the assembled community members.

Following their statements each member of the panel placed a “Let’s Vote for a Poverty free Ontario” election-style lawn sign on the grounds of St. James Cathedral to symbolize the importance of this message in the election campaign and to join in solidarity with similar events occurring in 16 communities across Ontario, many at the very same time of day on September 15.

The Sign Blitz campaign is a joint initiative of the Social Planning Network of Ontario and ISARC’s Faith to End Poverty initiative.