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No one deserves to be cut off from food, water, clothing, shelter, or healthcare. The right to life depends on the rights to these essentials. Until all of said life essentials are provided to those who need them, Canada cannot guarantee the right to life, and is therefore violating its own constitution. Life essentials need to be made human rights rather than commodities. And here are the reasons.

Reason 1: The right to life only exists on paper

Providing essentials ensures that every individual can live with dignity. Without access to food, water, clothing shelter, and medical care, individuals are unable to meet their most basic needs, which undermines their sense of self-worth and humanity. Without life essentials, there is no right to life!

Reason 2: Inflation

Many people are having trouble keeping up with the rising costs of living. A "luxuries-only" capitalist system can still thrive while ensuring that no one is left behind. Allowing free markets to cater to luxury versions of essentials (gourmet food, designer clothes, luxury housing) enables capitalism to flourish without sacrificing human well-being.

Reason 3: Food prices

With food inflation rates soaring globally, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for many households to afford adequate nutrition. Rising prices for essentials like bread, vegetables, and proteins mean that even those who work cannot reliably feed themselves or their families. By guaranteeing food as a right, we protect citizens from hunger and malnutrition, stabilizing household budgets and providing peace of mind.

Reason 4: Housing costs

Housing costs are persistently rising, especially in cities. This makes it nearly impossible for low-income families and individuals to afford stable housing. Existing subsidized housing programs are inadequate, with years-long waiting lists and insufficient availability. Providing a baseline for housing could relieve pressure on overstretched housing markets and prevent the cycles of homelessness and instability faced by vulnerable populations.

Reason 5: The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

Like many other countries, Canada has ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Said treaty grants the right to life as well as "the right to an adequate standard of living". This explicitly encompasses access to food, clothing, shelter, and drinking water. By not strictly enforcing said right at all costs, the Canadian government is breaking a promise that it made not only to its own citizens, but also to the international community. It's never okay to break a promise.

Reason 6: The precedent of universal healthcare

Luxuries-only capitalism would not be too different from Canada's existing healthcare setup, which exists alongside free markets. The same can be said of other countries with free healthcare. There would still be free markets for all things unnecessary, including luxury food, clothing, and housing.

Reason 7: Lower minimum wage

Under luxuries-only capitalism, minimum wage could be reduced, as people would have fewer expenses to cover. In turn, this could help small businesses to survive and simultaneously reduce unemployment. It is important to note that many Canadians are currently unemployed, despite their desire to work. Not to mention, a healthy economy consists of many businesses including small ones.

Reason 8: Free water

Technically, it's already illegal in Canada to charge for tap water; it's just unenforced. The federal government is failing in its duty by not overturning drinking-cup fees. Even if that means forcing restaurants to provide compostable cups and/or dine-in mugs. Water is a life essential, not a luxury.

Reason 9: Homeless people are not criminals

Many cities have treat homelessness as a crime rather than an unfortunate circumstance. Laws against loitering, camping, or public urination punish individuals who have nowhere else to go. Homeless people should not be treated as criminals, but rather, as victims.

Reason 10: Canada's climate demands the right to clothing

It is especially baffling that a cold country (like Canada) has yet to make adequate clothing a human right. Just ask Metro Vancouver's thousands of homeless people in winter! Based on what I have seen, most homeless people's clothes are not warm enough for winter weather. Knowing Vancouver to be Canada's second mildest city (after Victoria), I can only assume the situation is worse in, say, Toronto or Montreal.

Reason 11: The shortcomings of subsidized housing

Existing subsidized housing programs are inadequate, with years-long waiting lists and insufficient availability. Providing a baseline for housing could relieve pressure on overstretched housing markets and prevent the cycles of homelessness and instability faced by vulnerable populations. Providing stable housing and basic services not only reduces homelessness but also prevents the unethical criminalization of poverty, allowing resources to be directed toward genuine solutions.