Vision Critical Partners with The Salvation Army for Dignity Project

The Salvation Army has launched the Dignity Project, which seeks to engage Canadians about the reality of poverty in the 21st century. The endeavour will feature online events, street outreach, traditional advertising and social networking.

To coincide with the launch of the Dignity Project, Vision Critical’s Chief Research Officer Andrew Grenville conducted a public opinion study that looks at some of the myths and misconceptions that Canadians hold about poverty. Grenville, who is also a member of  the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board, found that more than a third of Canadians believe the poor “still have it pretty good”, and that nearly half believe that if poor people really want to work, they can always find a job.

“It’s clear from this data that many continue to believe well-worn myths about what it means to live in poverty,” said Commissioner William Francis, leader of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “Our hope is that by educating the public through the Dignity Project, we can debunk some of these myths and help put dignity within reach for every Canadian.”

The complete report “Debunking the myths about poverty in Canada” can be accessed here.

A Power Point presentation with the key findings can be accessed here.