A segment of the Canadian public is suffering from devastating economic circumstances.
Oshawa, Ontario exists as a prima facie example of this devastation.
The shut down of an entire industry (manufacturing) in the earlier part of 2009 has caused a class shift of a significant population from the working class, to an absence of a social, and economic framework.
The individuals affected are now without the comfort and safety these frameworks provide.
Without these safeties, individuals impacted by such a devastating shift are traumatized, and left without a solid sense of self. This renders the individual out of touch with his capabilities to problem-solve, and cope with the erraticism of his new lifestyle, perpetuating this new circumstance, compounding these effects, and limiting the individuals potential to contribute to society, robbing us of the value this potential represents.
These individuals are sustained by an extensive and complex network of social programs, community based services, and other bodies politic and corporate mandated to provide essential contact, and resources to sustain, and reintegrate these shattered human resources.
Despite its reach, this lifeline is inadequate to reverse the cycle within which these individuals find themselves, and the effects from which they suffer, malnutrition, social isolation, and a total lack of options, despite the help available.
Human dignity is based on the notion of choice.
It is imperative that this populace be restored to a level of dignity that they recognize as human if we expect to affect this urgently needed change.
I propose that we examine the resources at our disposal outside their current context to address the emergency the holiday season and winter months will engender. The inclement weather, and the spirit of the season will compound and intensify the feelings of desperation already affecting these people, engendering community wide impacts, and further expenditure of community resources to address these circumstances.
Using the framework already in place, it is possible to restore every Canadian to a level of dignity enjoyed by the majority of Canadian society, simply by re-appropriating communications vehicles and focusing efforts on the tangible goal of reintegrating this populace.