Canada PoliticsIndustry Minister James Moore criticized and mocked for saying: ‘Is it my job to feed my neighbour’s child? I don’t think so’
Industry Minister James Moore is under fire, after Vancouver's News1130 published an online column with the following headline:
"Federal minister says child poverty not Ottawa’s problem: James Moore says child poverty falls under provincial jurisdiction."
What's worse — for Moore — is that in the second paragraph of the article they quote him saying: "Is it my job to feed my neighbour’s child? I don’t think so."
On Twitter, Moore defended himself suggesting that the quote was taken out of context.
@pattibacchus Yes. Quite aware. It is a ridiculous story & quote out of context I assure you. @DonDavies
— James Moore (@JamesMoore_org) December 15, 2013
You can judge for yourself here:
[ Related: B.C. has Canada's highest child poverty rate at nearly 19 per cent: report ]
Moore is taking a lot of heat for this on social media.
"Sorry James but being in government is about making sure that children in a country as rich as ours don't go hungry," NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus wrote on his Facebook page.
Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett said this on Twitter:
Appalling @JamesMoore_org says it’s the responsibility of provinces to deal with child poverty,& Ottawa has no plans to step in #hungrykids
— Carolyn Bennett (@Carolyn_Bennett) December 15, 2013
Interesting. Committee exists-but maybe @JamesMoore_org or @kenneyjason cd give us an update on the recs "Federal Poverty Reduction' study — Carolyn Bennett (@Carolyn_Bennett) December 15, 2013
Others took to Twitter mocking Moore with the hashtag: #MooreChristmas
Nice to see that the #cpc doesn't buy into all that peace on earth goodwill to men nonsense. #MooreChristmas #cdnpoli
— gindaanis (@pattyk13) December 16, 2013
@nspector4 instead, he ended up with this… #MooreChristmas pic.twitter.com/vfm2I1Srii — Chris Alemany (@chrisalecanada) December 16, 2013
Ya know that Bible everyone quotes so wildly? Right in the first book - "Am I my brother's keeper?" #MooreChristmas
— Barb (@barb_hill) December 16, 2013
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In Moore's defence, child poverty and the majority of the programs to alleviate it are a provincial responsibility.
And he does say that the federal government has worked towards "empowering families with more power and resources."
Facilitating a strong economy so that people have jobs and money to feed their children is the best social policy out there.
But if Moore — considered one of the most brightest politicians in Ottawa — had to do that interview all over again, I'm betting he'd choose his words a little more wisely.
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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