A rally on the steps of Sarnia City Hall early Friday afternoon called on local candidates to make anti-poverty plans and affordable housing a federal election priority.
The event, organized by the local Poverty Reduction Network, encouraged the public to research each federal party's poverty platform, and to most importantly, vote.
Executive Director at the Inn of the Good Shepherd Myles Vanni says the rally comes days before the federal election.
"We're one of the few countries in the developed nations that doesn't have a poverty plan, a national strategic plan how we're going to address it," he says. "We need to let our politicians know that that's not acceptable. A country as well off as us, shouldn't have people living in poverty."
Liberal candidate Dave McPhail and NDP Jason McMichael were present at the rally, which was attended by nearly 100 people carrying signs in support.
Local Poverty Reduction Network Chair Karen Matthewson says Lauren Duncan told her touching story of becoming a local tax payer after many years as a tax receiver.
"It seemed to be kind of hopeless for her because she kept on falling back into the wrong crowd and to drug and alcohol usage, and not surprising given her background," says Matthewson. "The fact that she was able to find support in the community, I think carries a beautiful and wonderful message that there is hope and people can do it."
Matthewson adds there will be 20 tents display in Lambton Mall over the weekend, each with a profile of a local individual or family that has struggled with homelessness or a housing crisis.
The rally comes a day before United Nation's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, an event observed every year since 1993.
