Provincial
and Territorial |  Les
stratégies antipauvreté et les campagnes de réduction de
pauvreté |
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also: National Information - Canada and Elsewhere (This link takes you to a separate page of links) |
Updated August 16, 2010
Page révisée le 16 août 2010
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Provincial/Territorial Anti-Poverty Initiatives
Newfoundland and Labrador Poverty Reduction Strategy |
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The rest of the NL links below are in reverse chronological order.
Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2010
2010
Budget Highlights
March 29, 2010
"(...)Investments in Poverty Reduction:
* Total investment of $134 million this year, a total of $482.7 million
since 2006.
* $2.5 million to increase the income thresholds under the Newfoundland
and Labrador Prescription Drug Program Access Plan, a total investment of
$139.6 million.
* $310,000 to enhance the Family Justice Services Division.
* $519,000 for the continuation of the Family Violence Intervention Court.
* $2.4 million in funding for the Supportive Living Community Partnership
Initiative, doubling the amount of $1.2 million provided last year.
* $125,000 to provide community-based supports for Inuit women in Labrador
to receive guidance on how to make the most of the Poverty Reduction Strategy,
the Aboriginal Training Initiative, Victim Services and emerging economic
activities.
* $100,000 in sustaining funding for the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s
Network.
* Investment of $6.8 million this year in the federal-provincial Affordable
Housing Program to build an additional 230 rental housing units for seniors,
persons with disabilities and persons requiring supportive services.
* $17.6 million and leveraging additional federal funds to modernize more
than 2,300 housing units.
* An additional $1.4 million to raise the Housing Corporation’s annual
maintenance budget to $10.2 million.
* Providing $1.2 million to raise the heating allowance for the Housing
Corporation’s low-income tenants.
* $70,000 in additional funding for transitional employment support services
for victims of violence and $44,000 in additional funding for Women’s
Centres.
* $200,000 for the continuation of the Home Heating Oil Tank Storage Replacement
Assistance Program."
Source:
Newfoundland
and Labrador Budget 2010
March 29, 2010
[ Budgets for previous years ]
Source:
Department of Finance
Newfoundland and Labrador
Market Basket Measure (NLMBM)
Thanks to an anonymous newsletter subscriber for pointing out that Newfoundland
and Labrador's new customized Market Basket Measure doesn't appear on the
Antipoverty Links page of this website. In my haste to share the link to
the First
Progress Report on the NL Poverty Reduction Strategy
(PDF - 4MB, 76 pages, December 2009) in last week's Canadian Social Research
Newsletter, I skimmed past the section on the NLMBM in that report. According
to my subscriber's email, "... NL has developed their own variation
on the market basket measure, the NLMBM, which uses tax data rather than
surveys, and therefore purports to capture the entire population. They've
also developed a NLMBM of Housing Affordability. Part of what's interesting
is that they've got gender analysis embedded in the NLMBM data that's being
developed - not a claim that can be made about any of the other poverty
measures."
---
In
the 2006 Action Plan:
[ Reducing
Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (PDF file -
1.6MB, 60 pages), 2006]
...a commitment was made to improve capacity to measure
and track progress in poverty reduction.
[Excerpts] A major innovation
has been the development of the Newfoundland and Labrador Market Basket Measure
(NLMBM). This new measure uses a similar approach to the federal government's
Market Basket Measure (MBM). Like the MBM, it compares the incomes of families
to the cost of a basket of goods and services necessary to live a productive and
socially inclusive life. Unlike the MBM and all other available measures of low-income
that use surveys to estimate low-income levels, the NLMBM uses tax-filer data
and other sources to provide more accurate income and expense information for
all tax-filers. This allows for the reporting of low-income levels in communities
and neighbourhoods, as well as results for other subgroups such as different age
groups or family types. This is important because it allows for the tracking of
progress for different parts of the province as well as for different vulnerable
groups so that it can be ensured that PRS is working for all. The NLMBM is available
on Community Accounts [ www.communityaccounts.ca]
The NLMBM is developed and maintained by the Newfoundland
and Labrador Statistics Agency.
In future years, NLMBM depth, persistence
and other indicators of low income will be reported as they become available.
NOTE: For more info on the NLMBM, see Appendix II of the
first progress report (PDF - 4MB, 76 pages, December 2009) or
request information from povertyreduction@gov.nl.ca
---
MAY 20 (2010) UPDATE:
The N&L Market Basket Measure was released in January 2010 into the Community Accounts [ www.communityaccounts.ca] data. On the Community Accounts page, the NL MBM shows as the “Incidence of Low Income” under the “Income, Consumption & Leisure” accounts. For most geographies it can be broken down by family type. Currently available for 2005.
Newfoundland and Labrador Market Basket Measure Maps are presented by Rural Secretariat Region. These maps show incidence of low income for communities by Rural Secretariat Region. They also display a Remoteness Index which is a spacial measurement of access to essential government and community services.
Related link:
Newfoundland
and Labrador
Poverty Reduction Strategy
The Poverty Reduction Strategy is a Government-wide approach to transform
Newfoundland and Labrador from a province with the most poverty to one with
the least over a ten year period. The strategy includes initiatives and
programs which target the groups most vulnerable to poverty.
- includes * Poverty Reduction Initiatives * Guiding Principles * Documents
and News Releases * Partner Departments and Agencies
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
First
Progress Report Shows Significant Results in Province’s Fight Against Poverty
News
Release
December 14, 2009
Newfoundland and Labrador has realized significant
improvement in the overall level of poverty since 2003. In fact, Newfoundland
and Labrador has moved from being a province with one of the highest levels of
poverty in Canada to the province with the third lowest level. Today,
the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
and lead Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, released Empowering People
- Engaging Community - Enabling Success: First Progress Report on the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. This document
demonstrates that through the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Williams Government
is meeting its commitment to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty in Newfoundland
and Labrador.
Complete report:
Empowering
People - Engaging Community - Enabling Success:
First Progress Report on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF - 4MB,
76 pages)
December 2009
This report provides a summary of progress achieved towards meeting the
goals and objectives of the 2006-10 Poverty Reduction Strategy Action Plan:
1. Progress towards improved access to and coordination of services for
people with low income
2. Progress towards a stronger social safety net
3. Progress towards improved earned incomes
4. Progress towards an increased emphasis on early childhood development
5. Progress towards a better educated population
Source:
Dept.
of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
---
Related media reports (Dec. 14-15/09)
Province
Making Progress on Reducing Poverty: Report
http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&ID=3174
N.L.
report on poverty says there are 30,000 fewer poor people in province
http://www.canadaeast.com/rss/article/889226
Report
indicates province winning in fight against poverty
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=310583&sc=79
Poverty
down in Newfoundland and Labrador
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/rss/article/890138
N.L.
poverty levels down significantly: report
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/12/14/nl-poverty-down-1214.html
[ Thanks to Jennefer Laidley of the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) for finding and sharing these links. ]
Programs
and Services
for Individuals and Families Guidebook (HTML)
Latest update: October 2009
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Programs
and Services for Individuals and Families Guidebook is an initiative of
the Poverty Reduction Strategy. (...)
The Guidebook provides access to basic information such as a program’s
name and purpose, a telephone number, and in some cases, an email or related
web site address.
Information is divided into eight general headings:
* Financial Help
* Housing, Shelter and Home Supports
* Education and Learning
* Employment (Job) Help
* Medical, Health and Wellness
* Justice Help
* Culture and Recreation
* Government of Canada Information
NOTE : You have to scroll down the
main page of the guide to access links to alternate formats such
as PDF (regular and large type), Microsoft Word, spoken word audio, print
and Braille.
Income
Support Benefits Enhanced as Part of Poverty Reduction Strategy
April 9, 2009
The Williams Government has increased basic income support benefits by $4.3
million annually. This increase, effective April 1, is part of Budget 2009’s
$132.2 million investment in poverty reduction initiatives and is in line
with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In March 2006, the Provincial Government
announced it would tie income support rates to the CPI to ensure that cost
of living increases are factored into the amount an individual or family
receives through basic income support benefits. In doing so, Newfoundland
and Labrador became one of only two provinces in Canada at the time to link
its income support rates to cost of living increases.
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Standing
Strong in the Fight Against Poverty
March 26, 2009
News Release
The
Williams Government continues to stand strong and lead the way in its fight against
poverty by investing $132.2 million in Budget 2009 to help individuals and families
with low incomes. The 18 new significant initiatives announced today will help
realize the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy’s commitment of becoming
the jurisdiction with the lowest poverty rates in Canada by 2014.
Source:
Newfoundland
and Labrador Budget 2009
Consultations
Helping to Advance the Poverty Reduction Strategy
November
13, 2008
Over the past month, the Provincial Government hosted consultations
on the poverty reduction strategy across the province. There were 32 public and
community roundtable stakeholder sessions held. Local residents and community
group leaders attended the sessions and provided a significant contribution of
their time and thoughtful insight in support of the further advancement of the
Poverty Reduction Strategy. This marks the end of this phase of the consultations.
However, consultation submissions are being accepted up to December 15, 2008.
All residents are encouraged to share their views by calling 1-866-883-6600 or
going to www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/poverty/index.html
Source:
Human
Resources, Labour and Employment
Province
of Newfoundland and Labrador
Launches Poverty Reduction Consultations
October
16, 2008
The Provincial Government is planning a series of public consultations
to strengthen its Poverty Reduction Strategy. This will include a series of public
sessions, round tables, focus groups, and a website. These consultations are designed
to engage individuals living in poverty, the community and the general public
in a dialogue on the strategy’s themes, goals and objectives. (...) The Provincial
Government will hold public consultation sessions and roundtables in 15 communities
across the nine rural secretariat regions of the province. Individuals and groups
can also provide their feedback and views. [click the link above for other means
of providing input into the consultation]
The deadline for consultation
submissions is December 15, 2008.
2008
Consultations
In 2006, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
released Reducing
Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (PDF file -
1.6MB, 60 pages). This Action Plan was developed with input from community-based
organizations, business, labour and people living in and vulnerable to poverty.
The Poverty Reduction Strategy outlines Government’s plan to transform Newfoundland
and Labrador from a province with the most poverty to one with the least, within
10 years. Over three budget cycles, and on an ongoing yearly basis, the Provincial
Government is investing over $100 million in initiatives aimed to prevent, reduce
and alleviate poverty. The Provincial Government has also improved many programs
and services. The Provincial Government is now planning for the next phase of
the strategy.
- incl. links to more info on:
*
Understanding Poverty * Role for the Provincial Government *
Progress to Date * Key Themes * Review of Goals and Objectives * Questions
for Consideration * Participate in the Consultation Process * * Annex 1 - Groups
Helped by Poverty Reduction Strategy * Annex 2 - Description of Poverty Reduction
Strategy Initiatives
Poverty
Reduction Strategy
2008 Consultation Booklet (PDF - 792K, 36 pages)
Source:
Dept.
of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
[ Govt.
of Newfoundland and Labrador ]
New
Poverty Reduction Benefits Now in Effect
News
Release
July 7, 2008
The Provincial Government is moving forward with a
series of investments to improve social benefits and improve equality for individuals
and families. Effective July 1, an additional $2 million in benefits under the
Poverty Reduction Strategy are being provided to strengthen the social safety
net. In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government announced an investment of $12
million in new poverty reduction initiatives. That brings the total ongoing annual
investment in poverty reduction to more than $100 million.
Source:
Human
Resources, Labour and Employment
Newfoundland
and Labrador Continues to
Invest to Lead the Country in Poverty Reduction
Initiatives
The Williams Government continues to act on its commitment
to alleviate, prevent and reduce poverty in the province with new measures that
focus on improving earned incomes, strengthening the social safety net and supporting
youth at risk. Budget 2008 provides an additional $9.6 million in new Poverty
Reduction Strategy initiatives and this funding is in addition to the $2.4 million
announced April 1 to index basic income support rates. That brings the total investment
in the current fiscal year to $12 million and once fully implemented in 2009-10,
the Provincial Government’s annual investment in poverty reduction will be
more than $100 million.
Source:
News
Releases - links to 11 news releases related to Budget 2008
[ Newfoundland
and Labrador Budget 2008 April 29, 2008 ]
New
Poverty Reduction Benefits Now in Effect
News
Release
July 7, 2008
The Provincial Government is moving forward with a
series of investments to improve social benefits and improve equality for individuals
and families. Effective July 1, an additional $2 million in benefits under the
Poverty Reduction Strategy are being provided to strengthen the social safety
net. In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government announced an investment of $12
million in new poverty reduction initiatives. That brings the total ongoing annual
investment in poverty reduction to more than $100 million.
Government
Increases Income Support Benefits
April 1, 2008
In accordance
with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective today April 1, the Williams Government,
as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), is increasing basic income support
benefits by $2.4 million annually. (...) The PRS is focused on reducing, alleviating
and preventing poverty in the province. Over a 10-year period, Newfoundland and
Labrador intends to move from the jurisdiction with the highest poverty rates
to one with the lowest in Canada.
Province
Supports Tax Measures and Support Trusts for People with Disabilities
News
Release
March 31, 2008
The Provincial Government has amended regulations
to support improvements to the tax system for individuals with low incomes, and
people with disabilities and their families by exempting both the federal Working
Income Tax Benefit and the Registered Disability Saving Plan from the calculation
of Income Support benefits. The two exemptions are effective April 1, 2008.
Opposition
Fails to Understand Poverty Reduction Strategy
June 14, 2007
News
Release
The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment, said he is disappointed with claims by the Opposition that government
is failing in the fight against poverty in our province.
Government
Increases Basic Income Support Benefits
March 30, 2007
Effective
April 1, government will fulfill another key commitment to poverty reduction by
providing an additional $3 million annually to further increase basic income support.
This will be accomplished by tying the basic income support rate to the provincial
consumer price index (CPI) which means an increase of 1.8 per cent.
Budget 2007 - A vision of opportunity with New Actions to Address Poverty
Budget 2006 - The Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance
Related
Documents
(including a summary of strategy development workshops held
in the fall of 2005, the background report and workbook and a link to the Action
Plan itself (copied immediately below).
Reducing
Poverty : An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, June 2006
(PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages)
The final report
"The 2005
Speech from the Throne (PDF file - 266K, p. 22) affirmed Government’s
Blueprint commitment to transform Newfoundland and Labrador over a ten-year period
from a province with the most poverty to a province with the least poverty."
Reducing
Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Background Report and Workbook
(2005)
News Releases - links to dozens of news releases on the Poverty Reduction Strategy from 2005 to 2008
Province
reaffirms commitment to poverty reduction
News Release
May 26,
2006
Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, is pleased
to announce the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has decided that Income
Support (social assistance) payments will not be affected by the introduction
of the new federal Universal Child Care Benefit. (...) The Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador is developing an integrated poverty reduction strategy. Budget
2006 included a significant investment to help people move ahead and break
the cycle of poverty. (...) The full strategy will be released later this spring.
Increased
income support rates will add up to reduced poverty: Minister*
March
29, 2006
News Release
Budget 2006 will make major investments in a broad
range of programs and services that will help the working poor, youth-at-risk,
and families with low incomes, says Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment, and the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction
strategy.
[*NOTE: as part of its
increased supports to people in need, the provincial govt. will start indexing
welfare benefit levels as of 2007-08; rates will be tied to the Newfoundland and
Labrador Consumer Price Index. Québec is the only other Canadian jurisdiction
that indexes its rates every year based on the prevailing rate of inflation. This
is a sound policy that prevents households receiving welfare from falling further
behind because of ongoing increases in the cost of living. Congratulations, Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador, on this progressive social policy!]
March
30, 2006
The
Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance
(part
of Budget 2006 - March 30/06)
Departments
of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Health and Community Services and Education
-
includes a backgrounder with more detailed info
"The Williams government
is removing barriers to employment and providing assistance to those who need
it most through a sweeping investment in initiatives designed to combat poverty,
announced Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and
the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction strategy. Budget 2006
outlines government’s integrated approach to poverty reduction, unveiling
investments of over $30.5 million in 2006-07 and $62 million annually to support
an expanded eligibility for the prescription drug program, the elimination of
school fees, increases to income support programs, and enhanced Adult Basic Education
(ABE) offerings. This initial phase of the poverty reduction strategy is a strong
basis for meeting government’s pledge to significantly reduce poverty in
Newfoundland and Labrador."
Poverty
Reduction Strategies in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador
26
October 2007
Source:
Parliamentary
Research Library
(Government of Canada)
Report
on poverty reduction workshops rich with insights
News Release
December
20, 2005
"A report on what was heard in workshops about poverty across
Newfoundland and Labrador illustrates how broad and complex the challenge of reducing
poverty is, says Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.
(...) In the 2005 Speech from the Throne and Budget, the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador committed to develop a comprehensive, government-wide poverty reduction
strategy. Funding of $200,000 was committed in March 2005 to develop this strategy.
The consultants’ report on workshops held this summer is one component of
this work."
Complete report:
Report
on Workshop Sessions on the Development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy
(241K, 61 pages)
October 2005
Prepared by management consultants Goss Gilroy
Inc.
Related Link:
Building
pathways to poverty reduction - (backgrounder about the government’s
strategic approach to reducing poverty)
March 21, 2005
Human Resources,
Labour and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour
and Employment, said today that several Budget 2005 measures help lessen poverty
in Newfoundland and Labrador, including funding for the development of a strategic
plan on addressing the issue of poverty."
- highlights include a two-part
increase in income support (welfare) for couples and single clients without children
(1% in July 2005 and 1% in January 2006), a 10% increase in the earnings exemption
level and more funds for employment-related activities for people with disabilities,
for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and for "a second pilot project
to assist single parents in receipt of income support prepare for, find and keep
employment."
-------------------------------------------------
Reducing
Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador - Background Report and Workbook
(PDF file - 1.5MB, 44 pages)
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
June
2005
"In the 2005 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Newfoundland
and Labrador committed to refine and implement a comprehensive poverty reduction
strategy in collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside the government.
This document is designed to provide readers with background information on poverty
in the province, current initiatives being undertaken by the provincial government
and ideas for future action."
Selected content from the background
report:
Poverty and its Determinants - Profile of those Living in Poverty
- Low income in Newfoundland and Labrador - Incidence of Poverty - Rural and Urban
Poverty - Depth of Poverty - Persistence - Factors Influencing Poverty - The Provincial
Labour Market - Current Initiatives of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Income Support (welfare) Program - Career, Employment and Youth Services - Newfoundland
and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) - Low Income Tax Reduction Program - Initiatives
for Children and Families - Initiatives to Increase Women’s Economic Security
- Minimum Wage - Housing Supports - What Are other Jurisdictions Doing to Reduce
Poverty? (Quebec, rest of Canada, Ireland, Scotland) - Recommendations from Community-Based
Groups - Tax Relief - Asset Building Approaches - Finding the Right Policy Mix
- more...
+ workbook for citizens to complete and return to the provincial
government.
Work
on the development of a provincial poverty strategy kicks into high gear
News
Release
June 24, 2005
Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment, announced that workshops will begin today on the development of a
strategy to reduce the level of poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador. The sessions,
to be held in approximately 10 communities over a two-week period, will engage
those working with community-based, labour and business organizations and is just
one of several activities planned to gather input on how best to reduce poverty
in the province."
Preparing
our youth for success
March 21, 2005
Human Resources, Labour
and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment,
says Budget 2005 places a renewed focus on the young people of Newfoundland and
Labrador, especially those youth who live in poverty and who rely on income support.
'Low education levels, a lack of a high school diploma and limited work experience
are key characteristics of a dependence on income support from one generation
to the next and a cycle of poverty,' said Minister Burke. 'In 2003 youth, 18 to
29 years old, represented one-quarter of the income support caseload and almost
50 per cent of all new entrants. These numbers are alarming and are an indication
of many complex issues that require a focused, coordinated approach.'"
Minimum
wage earners in Newfoundland and Labrador to see increase in pay
News
Release
January 6, 2005
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources,
Labour and Employment, announced today that government has approved a $1 increase
to the province’s minimum wage. The increase will be implemented in four
25 cent increments over a two-year period. (...) The minimum wage in Newfoundland
and Labrador is currently $6 per hour. That wage will increase by 25 cents to
$6.25 effective June 1, 2005, to $6.50 effective January 1, 2006, to $6.75 effective
June 1, 2006 and to $7 effective January 1, 2007."
Related
Links: go to the Minimum Wage Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/minwage.htm
New
Income and Employment Support Act and Regulations
News Release
December
7, 2004
"The new Income and Employment Support Act and the accompanying
Income and Employment Support Regulations (...) replace the outdated Social Assistance
Act and Regulations which have been in effect since 1977. The
new act better reflects the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment’s
two major areas of responsibility: providing income support in a stable dignified
manner to eligible individuals and families; and delivering programs and services
that support individuals in achieving their employment and career goals.
Income
and Employment Support Act, S.N.L. 2002, c. I-0.1
(proclaimed
November 30, 2004)
Income
and Employment Support Regulations
(O.C. 2004-461 - Filed November
26, 2004 )
Related Links:
Income
and Employment Support Act introduced in House of Assembly
November
19, 2002
- incl. backgrounder : the consultation process, key changes, next
steps
Department
moves to next step of Redesign Initiative
News Release
May 11,
2004
- consolidation of 20 district welfare offices, redeployment of staff,
total number of actual layoffs ~30 staff throughout the province
Mothers
and families encouraged to take advantage of Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement
New Release
July 7, 2003
Newfoundland
and Labrador Child Benefit rate increase
July 4, 2003
Pilot
project great support for single parents
News Release
March
18, 2003
"An evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program
(SESP), a five-year pilot project administered by the Department of Human Resources
and Employment and the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
and open to clients in seven HRE offices in the North East Avalon region, concludes
that the innovative project is a great asset in assisting single parents in receipt
of income support to enter and remain in the workforce."
Complete report:
Summative
Evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP) Final Report
(PDF file - 160K, 93 pages)
June 2002
Income
and Employment Support Act introduced in House of Assembly
November
19, 2002
Minister
announces changes to current income support regulations
November
19, 2002
Minister
announces consultation findings
August 5, 2002
News Release
Human
Resources and Employment
"Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and
Employment, released today the Report of a Consultation on the Social Assistance
Act. The report is a summary of the department’s community consultations
concerning the review of the Social Assistance Act and Regulations. The findings
from these consultations will assist the Department of Human Resources and Employment
as it drafts the new legislation."
- this news release includes a detailed
backgrounder
Report
of a Consultation on the Social Assistance Act (PDF file - 317K, 66
pages)
Related
Links - links to the above report, plus the January 2002 discussion paper,
Workbook ("Tell Us What You Think") and relevant legislation
Minister
releases report on supported employment (for persons with developmental
disabilities)
May 9, 2002
Human Resources and Employment
"Ralph
Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, today released an evaluation
of his department’s Supported Employment Initiative."
Summative
Evaluation of the Supported Employment Initiative (PDF file - 412K,
142 pages)
Budget 2002-2003 News Releases
March 21, 2002
Changes
to NLCB help low income families
For the second consecutive year,
low income families with children will be able to earn more money and still qualify
for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB). Department’s
innovative changes continue
With a series of recent initiatives,
the Department of Human Resources and Employment continues its major redesign
of programs and services to assist persons on social assistance achieve independence
and extend support to low income working families.
Backgrounders
- Social
Assistance Review - province-wide public
consultations now underway, scheduled for completion in April - new legislation
to be tabled in the fall 2002
- Employment
Assistance Programs - info about NewfoundJOBS - Linkages Youth Employment
- Supported Employment - Single Parent Employment Support Program - Employability
Assistance for People with Disabilities - more...
Review
of Social Assistance Act under way
Press Release
January 7,
2002
"Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, announced
today the beginning of a review process which will help in updating the department's
Social Assistance Act and Regulations. This is the first review of the legislation
in its entirety since 1977.
(...)
Following the consultation process,
which should conclude early this spring, the information gathered will be used
when drafting the new Social Assistance Act and Regulations. The new legislation
is expected to be introduced in late 2002."
Government
committed to reducing child poverty in province
News Release
December 7, 2001
"... government’s commitment to addressing the
issue [of child poverty] as demonstrated by the significant range of initiatives
undertaken in recent years..."
- includes a brief snapshot of almost
a dozen such initiatives - social assistance redesign, the Newfoundland and Labrador
Child Benefit, Early Childhood Development and other health and literacy programs
for children
Related
Links: |
Changes
in legislation benefit people living with disability
News Release
October 26, 2001
Government has approved the necessary regulatory changes
recommended by the Departments of Human Resources and Employment and Health and
Community Services to exempt support trusts when determining eligibility for social
assistance and supportive services for people living with a disability.
Minister
gives update on redesign initiatives
Human
Resources and Employment
October 10, 2000
Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment,
announced today the latest details on initiatives designed to improve service
for income support clients. The initiatives, which went into effect on October
1, include an extended drug card for singles and families without children, a
new liquid assets policy, and a revised rate structure for singles over 29. On
an annual basis, these supports are valued at $1.7 million. More...
Implementation
of Province’s Strategic Social Plan–on target, on time, says Bettney
July 7, 2000
The SSP
is a vision for social change developed by and for the people of Newfoundland
and Labrador
New
initiatives announced
Human Resources
and Employment
May 15, 2000
"...three new initiatives designed to help reduce barriers to employment and
make it easier for people on income support to enter or return to the workforce"
- incl. an extended drug card for singles and families without children,
a new liquid assets policy, and a revised rate structure for singles over 29.
All three measures are effective October 1, 2000
Strategic
Social Plan demonstration projects approved
July 23, 1999
Funding
available for Strategic Social Plan demonstration projects
May 4, 1999
Statement
by the Minister of Human Resources and Employment concerning
Demonstration
Projects under the Strategic Social Plan
May 4, 1999
March 1999 Budget:
- Income
support and employment initiatives
- New
Low Income Seniors' Benefit introduced
Initiatives
to improve the financial position of social assistance clients
(January 29,1999)
Strategic Social Plan (December 1, 1998 Press Release)
First
meeting of Premier's Council on Social Development
Strategic Social Plan Welfare Reform - October 26, 1998 (Executive Council)
Premier
Unveils Strategic Social Plan
(Press Release,
August 31, 1998)
The
Strategic Social Plan (SSP) - 1998 blueprint for welfare reform
-
includes links to the full report (large file, available only in .PDF format),
the press release, application forms for funding of demonstration projects under
SSP and the SSP newsletter
Report of the Social Policy Advisory Committee (April 1, 1997)
- Go to the Newfoundland and Labrador Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nfbkmrk.htm
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
Prince Edward Island |
The links below
are in reverse chronological order.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stop
clawback of child benefits, P.E.I. urged
November 12, 2009
The
P.E.I. government needs to stop clawing back the National Child Benefit from families
on social assistance, the National Council of Welfare says. The council, an arms-length
advisory group for the federal minister of human resources, notes P.E.I. is now
in a minority among the provinces in clawing back the federal benefit. On the
Island the money counts as income and is deducted from what a family receives
from the province. (...) The National Council of Welfare was joined in its call
by the P.E.I. Advisory Council on the Status of Women. In June, the Advisory Council
produced a report card looking at the provincial government's progress on certain
issues, including the clawback of the National Child Benefit.
Source:
CBC
PEI
Related links:
National
Council of Welfare
The National Council of Welfare (NCW) is an arm's
length advisory body to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
on matters of concern to low-income Canadians.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From
the
PEI Advisory Council
on the Status of Women:
PEI
Equality Report Card (PDF - 403K, 20 pages)
June 2009
During
the 2007 election, the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women introduced
its plan for an Equality Report Card for PEI, and in June 2008, we published the
first, pilot report. The Equality Report Card is a process to assess our Province’s
progress towards women’s equality goals.
(...)
We urge the government
to consult and collaborate with community-based organizations to develop a Poverty
Reduction Strategy like those in other provinces. We see the three priority areas
below as key elements of Poverty Reduction:
* Improvements to the Employment
Standards Act * Investment in affordable, accessible, appropriate housing (incl.
housing for seniors and persons with disabilities * Increase direct allowances
to social services recipients to
cover all of their basic needs.
(...)
There
has been no action towards the promised Poverty Reduction Strategy to consider
how we are doing across the province and across departments to assist people who
live in poverty. There is no political will to name the problem of poverty and
to provide poverty reduction initiatives. The full-time position in government
that is meant to be dedicated to Poverty Reduction has been vacant for over a
year.
Source:
PEI
Advisory Council
on the Status of Women
The PEI Advisory Council on
the Status of Women was established to advise the Minister Responsible with respect
to matters relating to the status of women, the development of public awareness
regarding issues affecting women, and the promotion of change in attitudes within
the community in order that women may enjoy an equality of opportunity.
[ Related
Press Release : Government
Earns a C on 2009 Equality Report Card - June 16, 2009 ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
May
25, 2009 Prince Edward
Island: Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Social
advocate encouraged by
commitment to poverty eradication strategy
February
24, 2009
By Jim Day
Talk is cheap when poverty eradication is on the table.
Yet
Mary Boyd, one of the province’s most determined social advocates, liked
what she heard from those in power last week.
Premier Robert Ghiz and Health
and Social Services and Seniors Minister Doug Currie made a brief appearance Thursday
at a workshop held by Island organizations Poverty Bites and the MacKillop Centre
for Social Justice aimed at renewing efforts for action on the seemingly insurmountable
goal of eliminating poverty in P.E.I.
Ghiz urged the group to not let up on
government in pushing for change.
“It is important to stay at the forefront
of issues,” he told the gathering that consisted of many people Boyd described
as the voice of those suffering in poverty.
Source:
The
Charlottetown Guardian
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy |
|
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
The links below are in reverse chronological order.
Nova
Scotia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty 2009 (PDF - 214K, 23
pages)
November 2009
While Nova Scotia remains within the group of provinces
with lower rates of child poverty, policymakers and elected representatives (those
with the power to legislate the end of poverty) must act quickly and decisively
to expand the progress achieved in recent years. Specific, targeted policies are
needed to ensure that poverty rates and gaps are The Nova Scotia Child Poverty
Report Card 2009 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives–Nova Scotia 18 reduced
for particular groups where there is greater risk of children and their families
being exposed to poverty and the potential harm it carries. Most notably, income
assistance rates need to be increased to a level that will provide families with
children, who depend on welfare income, an annual income that will raise families
out of poverty.
15,000
Nova Scotia children still in poverty
Press Release
November
23, 2009
HALIFAX, NS - Nova Scotia Child Poverty Report Cards have recorded
changes in child poverty since 1999. Each annual card has tracked progress on
the government of Canada’s 1989 promise to end child poverty. The report
released today, by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Nova Scotia, is
the tenth card, and is being released on the 20th anniversary of Canada’s
promise to eliminate poverty by the year 2000.
Source:
Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) - Nova Scotia Office
[ CCPA
National Office ]
Related link
Campaign
2000
---
A
Poverty Reduction Strategy for Nova Scotia (PDF - 47K, 9 pages)
By
Sherri Torjman
November 2009
In December 2007, the Government of Nova Scotia
passed Bill 94, An Act to Establish a Poverty Reduction Working Group in Nova
Scotia. The mandate of the Working Group was to prepare a report recommending
strategies and priorities to reduce poverty. Based on the recommendations of the
Working Group, the Government of Nova Scotia released on April 3, 2009 its Poverty
Reduction Strategy entitled Preventing Poverty, Promoting Prosperity. The Strategy
puts forward a framework for tackling the needs of persons living in and at risk
of falling into poverty, while promoting prosperity for the province. Preventing
Poverty, Promoting Prosperity is a multi-year plan with four main goals: enable
and reward work, invest in households in need, focus on children, and coordinate
and collaborate. The paper describes the various measures that have been undertaken
or are being planned in order to achieve each of these goals.
Source:
Caledon
Institute of Social Policy
---
May
25, 2009 Nova Scotia: Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
N.S.
anti-poverty plan focuses on housing, retraining
April 3, 2009
The
Nova Scotia government is promising to spend millions of dollars on new housing
and retraining as part of a multi-year strategy to reduce poverty. Community Services
Minister Chris d'Entremont said the idea is to help low-income Nova Scotians by
giving them proper shelter and a chance to get a job. Under the $155-million plan,
people on income assistance only get a modest increase to offset the cost of living.
Source:
CBC
Nova Scotia
---
The
Poverty Reduction Strategy Working Group has handed
government its recommendations
on how to best tackle poverty in Nova Scotia
News Release
June
26, 2008
Group members come from organizations representing diverse interests,
many of which work with people struggling with poverty. The group met every two
weeks over the winter and spring to develop recommendations for the province's
poverty reduction strategy. It presented its recommendations to Judy Streatch,
Minister of Community Services, and Mark Parent, Minister of Labour and Workforce
Development, co-leads for the strategy, at a meeting today, June 26.
(...)
Recommendations
from the group include improving access to transportation, education and training
for low-income Nova Scotians, more support for the disabled, a continued increase
in supports to families during the early years of a child's life, a consolidation
and enhancement of low-income pharmacare programs, and a change in description
of the Employment and Income Assistance Program from a program of last resort
to a simple program of support.
Complete report:
Report
of the Nova Scotia
Poverty ReductionWorking Group (PDF - 129K,
41 pages)
Draft dated June 26
Target Areas for Action:
* Awareness
and Engagement * Employment Supports and Income * Disability Issues * Transportation
* Education and Skills Training * Housing * Child Care and Early Childhood
Development * Health
Results
of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Questionnaire:
A summary of the public consultation
on
poverty reduction in Nova Scotia (PDF - 333K, 17 pages)
May
2008
Source:
Department
of Community Services
Related link:
Fighting
poverty: Major attitude shift needed
By Katherine Reed
July
10, 2008
The Working Group on Poverty Reduction appointed by the province last
December released its draft report recently and immediately invoked the ire of
activists by insisting on waiting for a year to actually take action. In a July
1 article in The Chronicle Herald, Wayne McNaughton, co-chair of Community Action
on Homelessness, pointedly asked why this was the case and why the government
was not ready with costed-out proposals to respond to the report. Why indeed?
The measures required to meaningfully address poverty in
Nova Scotia are substantial and would only come about as a result of a massive
change of attitude and approach. I wonder if anyone has the stomach for it, frankly.
Source:
The Chronicle-Herald
(Halifax)
-----------------------------------------
From the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services:
Government
Seeks Public Input on Poverty Strategy
News Release
March 5,
2008
The province is inviting the public to share ideas on how to best tackle
poverty in Nova Scotia. People are encouraged to fill out a questionnaire on what
types of actions can be taken to reduce poverty. The public consultations will
help government develop a long-term poverty-reduction strategy for Nova Scotia.
The initiative is being co-led by the departments of Community Services and Environment
and Labour, in co-operation with a poverty-reduction strategy working group. The
group, made up of organizations with diverse interests, will make recommendations
on strategy content and implementation.
There are
three ways the public can share comments:
-- Fill out a short questionnaire
at http://gov.ns.ca/coms/poverty.
--
Fill out the questionnaire at any provincial government building, Department of
Community Services office or Access Nova Scotia location.
-- Request a questionnaire
or share thoughts by calling, toll-free, 1-888-825-2111.
In November, the first phase of consultations was held with representatives from a diverse range of provincial organizations interested in the fight against poverty. The questionnaire is phase two of the consultations. The public's comments will be added to information gathered from consultations across government on a variety of issues that affect poverty.
NOTE : The consultation ended in March, 2008.
Nova
Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy:
A request for input on how to tackle poverty in Nova Scotia
[ version
française ]
Poverty
Backgrounder
Research and statistics about poverty in Nova Scotia,
including:.
* How is poverty measured in Canada? * What is the low-income cut-off
(LICO)? * In Nova Scotia, how many people live in low-income? What about children?
* How do Nova Scotia's low-income statistics compare with the rest of Canada?
* What are some characteristics of Nova Scotia's low-income population? * Where
does Nova Scotia's low-income population live? * Is there any way to tell how
poor low-income Nova Scotians are? * Social Trends in Nova Scotia - 2007 * Statistical
Links
Related links:
Our
Kids Are Worth It: Strategy for Children and Youth
December 3,
2007
Our
Framework for Social Prosperity - Weaving the Threads: A Lasting Social Fabric
November 30, 2007
Government
to Hold Poverty Reduction Consultations
October 10, 2007
(starting
November 1)
The provincial government will hold a series of consultations this
fall designed to get the community's input on how to best tackle poverty in Nova
Scotia. The consultations will be part of the government's
development of a poverty strategy for Nova Scotia. The initiative will be co-led
by the departments of Community Services and Environment and Labour.
Source:
Department
of Community Services
Poverty
fight needs credibility
October 15, 2007
Many Nova Scotians
would agree that the province needs a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy, especially
to improve the lot of the 19,000 children living below what’s conventionally
regarded as the poverty line. But now that the government is promising to develop,
one the question is how sincere the Tories are and when we might see such a thing
implemented.
The government is planning a two-day consultation with anti-poverty
groups and other experts for Nov. 1 and 2, after which a public consultation is
planned as well. The government has been studying anti-poverty strategies in jurisdictions
such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ireland.
Source:
The
Cape Breton Post
Framework
for a Poverty Reduction Strategy in Nova Scotia (PDF - 351K, 38 pages)
October
17, 2007
"(...) The framework includes the context, key concepts and strategies
that will be necessary to reduce poverty in Nova Scotia."
Source:
Nova
Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy Coalition
- Go to the Nova Scotia Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nsbkmrk.htm
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
|
Bringing the Pieces Together: New Brunswick's poverty reduction plan |
|
| . |
[The links below are in reverse chronological order.]
Reconstructing
Social Assistance in New Brunswick: Vision and Action (PDF -
77K, 19 pages)
By Ken Battle, Michael Mendelson, Sherri Torjman
July 2010
The Government of New Brunswick has launched a comprehensive
reform of its social assistance system as a key element of its poverty reduction
strategy. This report contains two papers. The first is a vision paper written
for New Brunswick by the Caledon Institute that sets out a philosophy and
key elements of reform. The second is an account of New Brunswick's plans
and actions to implement the vision for reform.
Source:
Caledon Institute of Social Policy
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent postings to the website of the
New Brunswick Common Front
for Social Justice (CFSJ):
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recherchistes francophones:
Sur la version française du site Web du
Front commun pour la justice
sociale du Nouveau-Brunswick,
...vous trouverez les liens vers la version française de chacun
des textes mentionnés ici, ainsi qu'à d'autres textes du Front
commun.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New
Brunswick Poverty Reduction Plan: Updates and Developments (PDF
- 1.3MB, 29 pages)
By Jean-Claude Basque and Auréa Cormier
June 2010
Excerpts:
* The Crown Corporation creates an additional layer of bureaucracy
* Decision making is further away from our elected members of the Legislative
Assembly
* The Board, the Secretariat and the group coordinating the Community Inclusion
Networks is a costly administrative structure
* Minister Lamrock said there would be no appeal process if decisons made
by the Community Inclusion Networks are contested
* For 97% of social assistance recipients, there are no changes in sight
before July 2011
* CFSJ's concerns with the Service delivery are:
--- Difficulties of access to services in rural areas
--- Uneven quality assurance in some of the networks
--- Possibility of lack of services, in some of the networks, in the language
of choice
---
New
Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation
won't have representatives in at least four areas of New Brunswick
(PDF - 126K, 2 pages)
News release
June 29, 2010
According to the New Brunswick Common Front for Social
Justice, "[A]t least four areas of New Brunswick won't have any representatives
of people living in poverty on the new Board of Directors of the Economic
and Social Inclusion Corporation.”
---
Tired
of being manipulated? (PDF - 6.6MB, 32 pages)
By Claude Snow
June 2010
Caring for people is a MUST.
Public social services are essential.
Less taxes = Less services.
---
Annual
Report 2009-2010 (PDF - 77K, 2 pages)
June 2010
- Our actions in 2009-2010, notably on the Poverty Reduction Plan
---
Third
Summit on Poverty - October 15-16, 2010 (PDF - 1.3MB, 1 page)
"Poverty: A Violation of Human Rights"
Moncton, NB
June 2010
- flyer, including conference program and some speakers
---
Revealing
Statistics on the Socioeconomic Status (PDF - 21K, 1 page)
June 2010
---
Two
Different Worlds (PDF - 1.3MB, 34 pages)
- Catalogue for the art exhibit held at Moncton City Hall May 31st to June
4th, 2010.
"In the same province, citizens are living side by side, day in and
day out, but in two completely different worlds."
Source:
New Brunswick Common Front
for Social Justice
The CFSJ promotes alternative policies in order to create a society
concerned mainly about human beings.
* fairer distribution of power, thus a more dynamic democracy
with greater participation;
* fairer distribution of wealth, thus a more equitable tax system;
* to improve the Canadian social security net, such as public health, public
welfare and unemployement insurance;
* to challenge the corporate agenda by attempting to counter policies of
privatization, deregulation and the withdrawal of the state;
* to increase the value and the dignity of human work.
- incl. links to : Documents | Press Releases | Action Alerts | Links |
Home | Site Map | Contact us | Français
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catastrophic
drug costs can affect the poor and affluent alike
June 1st, 2010
[Minister of Social Development ] Kelly Lamrock's recent response to a request
that New Brunswick implement a catastrophic drug cost insurance plan shows
that either he doesn't understand why such a plan is required or he is purposefully
misleading the public. This insurance plan isn't required for the poor;
it's something everyone needs. (...) The strong endorsement made in the
report of the Romanow Commission in 2002 that such a plan be developed in
Canada was followed in 2003 by a commitment from the federal and provincial
governments that a national program would be established. All provinces
except New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island have implemented such a plan.
(...) Minister Lamrock wants to consult with the stakeholders. He wants
to engage businesspeople and health officials. It
will be part of the poverty-reduction strategy.
Source:
The Daily Gleaner (New
Brunswick)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NB
Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation needs
real representation of people currently living in poverty,
says co-chair of the New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice
(PDF - 58K, 2 pages)
News Release
April 7, 2010
(...) There has to be real representation of people currently living in
poverty, the process has to be open and language of service needs to be
included in the new proposed Bill 39, Economic and Social Inclusion Act...
Source:
New
Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recherchistes francophones:
Sur la version française du site Web du
Front commun pour la justice
sociale du Nouveau-Brunswick,
...vous trouverez les liens vers la version française de chacun
des textes mentionnés ici, ainsi qu'à d'autres textes du Front
commun.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
Reduction plan needs serious debate
April 14, 2010
The surprise announcement that this Friday will see the end of this Legislature
session means that several bills now awaiting the attention of legislators
will be rammed through without much debate. One of these is Bill 39, the
Economic and Social Inclusion Act. This is the bill that gives legs to the
government's poverty reduction plan announced several months ago. The Conservatives
participated in and endorsed the plan so there is a good chance this bill
will see swift passage. It is also one that hasn't received much scrutiny
precisely because the Official Opposition was part of the process that developed
it.
Source:
Telegraph-Journal
---
Group
wants changes to proposed poverty bill
April 14, 2010
Proposed provincial legislation to create a new Crown corporation to administer
the Poverty Reduction Plan of government needs to be amended to recognize
both official languages and better represent the plight of New Brunswick's
poor, says the New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice co-chairman.
In a statement, Linda McCaustlin said Bill 39, to create the New Brunswick
Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation, should also change the make-up
of its proposed board of directors in order to eliminate any possible political
influence.
Source:
Times & Transcript
More recent letters, commentaries
and articles by the Common Front for Social Justice:
Income Gaps and Food Banks (PDF - 98K) - brochure, April 2010
Food Banks and Soup Kitchens: An Overview (PDF - 151K) - March 2010
It all boils down to unfair distribution (PDF - 88K) - editorial by Ed Finn
Food crisis, root causes and solutions (PDF - 1.3MB) - Auréa Cormier, October 17, 2009
Equal Opportunities Program under attack (PDF - 82K) - commentary by Ysabel Provencher, PhD, Université Laval
The Second Report Card on Homelessness in Greater Moncton, 2009 (PDF - 3.5MB) - The Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee
Commentary (53K) - Jean-Claude Basque, March 2010
These are the faces of poverty and social injustices in New Brunswick (PDF - 10K) - for The Daily Gleaner, March 3, 2010.
---
For earlier releases from the Common Front for Social
Justice,
scroll down to the yellow box further down on this page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Breaking
down the welfare wall in New Brunswick (PDF - 34K, 2 pages)
March 2010
By Ken Battle, Sherri Torjman and Michael Mendelson
[ Version française : Briser
le mur de l'aide sociale (PDF)]
This op ed was published as a Globe and Mail online commentary. It points
out that one of the most promising developments in Canadian social policy
is the rise of provincial poverty reduction plans. New Brunswick recently
announced a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy, which includes fundamental
reform of its social assistance system. The province is taking some important
steps in this ambitious reform including the creation of a provincial working
income supplement. New Brunswick will also extend the length of coverage
under its health card for up to three years to recipients who leave welfare
for work or training. It will launch a prescription drug program, plus vision
and dental care for all low-income children. The op ed highlights other
needed reforms, such as a boost to the New Brunswick Child Tax Benefit.
Source:
Caledon Institute of Social Policy
Media coverage:
Poverty
Reduction Plan ‘not all that rosy,’ says advocate
By Gilean Watts
April 7, 2010
Shawn Graham’s Poverty Reduction Plan only benefits a very small number
of welfare recipients, says a leading provincial poverty advocacy group.
“If you listen to the media it seems that the Poverty Reduction Plan
was a real good thing, but if you look at it and analyze between the lines
then you start wondering if it’s really not all that rosy,” said
Auréa Cormier of the New Brunswick Common Front for Social Justice
at a public discussion at St. Thomas University last Thursday. According
to Cormier, 97 per cent of welfare recipients will not be affected by the
province’s Poverty Reduction Plan, which was introduced in November.
The three per cent that will benefit are those in the interim assistance
program, which provides money to employed welfare recipients.
Source:
New Brunswick Beacon
---
|
Related media links:
New Brunswick introduces its poverty
reduction legislation:
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/rss/article/960470
Moves to revamp Social Assistance in that province
by July 2011, with some immediate changes:
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/rss/article/958063
And NB sets up a new Crown Corp to oversee poverty
reduction:
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/rss/article/960314
[Thanks to Jennefer Laidley of the Income Security Advocacy Centre for these related media links.]
---
First-ever poverty
reduction plan adopted:
The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan
November 2009
Background information on the NB government poverty reduction plan
---
From
New Brunswick Social Development:
Changes
to Household Income policy introduced
February 17, 2010
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The provincial government is improving the Household
Income Policy for Department of Social Development clients. Kelly Lamrock,
minister of social development, made the announcement today. (...) The new
policy, which only applies to clients who were in receipt of assistance
as of Jan. 1, represents a $5-million investment this fiscal year. It is
an interim measure that will help current clients economically until Social
Assistance Reform, including an important and significant overhaul of the
Household Income Policy, is complete in mid-2011.
Related links:
Social
assistance clients can have roommates: Minister Lamrock
February 17, 2010
The New Brunswick government has stopped penalizing social assistance recipients
who have roommates. It has eliminated a decades-old policy that clawed back
the benefits of low-income clients who live with someone else to pool their
financial resources, Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock announced
Wednesday.
Source:
CBC New Brunswick
---
The
working poor's best hope
New Brunswick may well provide the bold
leadership in social policy that this country so urgently requires
By Ken Battle, Sherri Torjman and Michael Mendelson
February 26, 2010
(...) As Ottawa continues to bury its head in the snow, the initiative for
tackling the long-lamented scourge of poverty has shifted to the provinces.
Quebec and Newfoundland were first out of the gate with provincial poverty-reduction
plans; several other provinces have been introducing their own campaigns.
The way to break down the welfare wall is to extend income supports and
services traditionally reserved for those on welfare to the working poor
– Canada's forgotten poor. New Brunswick, which is taking important
steps to do exactly this in its ambitious reform, may well provide the bold
leadership in social policy that this country so urgently requires.
Source:
The Globe and Mail
Related link:
Caledon Institute
of Social Policy
[The co-authors of this article are president, vice-president and
senior scholar, respectively, of the Caledon Institute of Social Policy.]
The Caledon Institute of Social Policy does rigorous, high-quality research
and analysis; seeks to inform and influence public opinion and to foster
public discussion on poverty and social policy; and develops and promotes
concrete, practicable proposals for the reform of social programs at all
levels of government and of social benefits provided by employers and the
voluntary sector.
Also from Caledon:
New
Brunswick’s “Overcoming Poverty Together” Earns Praise and
Creates Hope (PDF - 42K, 9 pages)
February 2010
By Anne Makhoul
Between October 2008 and November 2009, the New Brunswick government embarked
on a three-stage public engagement process in order to design an economic
and social inclusion plan. Its goal was to ensure that all sectors of New
Brunswick society, including business, community nonprofit organizations
and citizens, would share responsibility with the government for creating
new opportunities for residents. Together they will implement action in
three areas: Being (meeting basic needs), Becoming (life-long learning and
skills acquisition) and Belonging (community participation).
---
|
---
New
Brunswick Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 445K, 12
pages)
November 2009
In November 2009, New Brunswick joined the ranks of
provinces that have adopted comprehensive poverty reduction strategies. Overcoming
Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan has
set a target of reducing income poverty by 25% and deep income poverty by 50%
by the year 2015.
Version française:
Rapport
sur la pauvreté des enfants et des
familles au Nouveau Brunswick •
2009 (PDF - 456Ko., 12 pages)
Novembre 2009
Source:
Human
Development Council - Saint John
Related
link
Campaign
2000
---
From
the
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal:
Poverty
plan deserves support
November 17, 2009
By Peter Smith
Almost
lost amid the din of the war of words over the proposed sale of NB Power is a
plan that has both the premier and the leader of the Opposition sitting at the
same table. New Brunswick's first poverty reduction plan was announced in Saint
John late last week. This represents a significant move towards helping some of
the province's most vulnerable citizens. (...) The statistics
on poverty change little from year to year and always seem grim. According to
figures available on the Social Development website, more than 100,000 New Brunswickers
live in poverty. More than 13,000 single parents live in poverty, and that figure
represents 45 per cent of all single parents. More than 23,000 children are living
in poverty in this province, which is about one in every six children. About one
in 10 senior citizens live in poverty, and about 39,000 New Brunswickers are on
social assistance.
Bring
an end to poverty
November 16, 2009
In
August, the provincial Poverty Reduction Initiative released a landmark report
[ A Choir of Voices
- The What Was Said Report ]. Drawing upon the testimony of more than
2,500 people, it gave voice to the frustration and isolation experienced by those
living on marginal incomes. It also called attention to the degree to which public
policy has backfired, trapping families and communities in lives of hardship.
The intent is to reduce poverty through co-ordinated action. On Friday, co-chairs
Gerry Pond, Léo-Paul Pinet and Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock
emerged from a two-day forum with a plan of action. Government, businesses, communities
and non-profit groups must to pull together to accomplish its goal: a 25-per-cent
reduction in poverty by 2015.
Cut
the roots of poverty with a living wage
October
21, 2009
By Janice Harvey
Finally, poverty reduction is a legitimate public
debate. Shawn Graham's government has embarked on a poverty reduction strategy,
the preliminary results of which will be revealed sometime next month. PC Leader
David Alward has recently announced the Conservatives will eliminate the so-called
economic unit policy, increase the amount people can earn before being penalized
on their welfare payments and adjust the way prescription drug coverage is handled.
(...)
At a legislated minimum wage of $8.25 an hour, an individual can work the
legislated work week of 40 hours and still fall below the poverty line. This should
not be the case. This amounts to legislated poverty.
(...) Second, we have
to consider those who cannot work, whether temporarily or permanently. Green parties
from their inception have advocated for an annual guaranteed livable income. It's
an idea whose time has come.
(...) A guaranteed annual income, sometimes
called a negative income tax, replaces all the piecemeal, ineffective measures
now administered by provincial agencies including welfare payments, various supplements,
prescription drug coverage and many others. It treats people with dignity and
provides a basic level of well-being across the community without discrimination.
A living minimum wage and a guaranteed livable income for households are essential
(but not the only) elements of a structurally fair economy. To not address them
is to perpetuate the current structural injustice while trying to paper over its
worst abuses.
---
From CBC New Brunswick:
N.B.
unveils sweeping changes to social assistance
November 13, 2009
The
provincial government is promising sweeping changes to its social assistance system
as part of a new poverty-reduction plan. Some of the changes will take effect
immediately, while others will be implemented over the next five years, Social
Development Minister Kelly Lamrock said Friday after a two-day poverty forum in
Saint John. Social assistance rates will immediately increase by 80 per cent for
people on the "lowest rung" of the system, who currently live on less
than $300 a month, he said. It's unclear how many people are included in that
"single, employable adults" category. A 2008 report by the National
Council of Welfare found New Brunswick paid the lowest amount by far to members
of that group in 2007 — $3,258 a year. That rate would have to double to
reach the Atlantic provinces average, the report said.
New
Brunswick poverty strategy coming: premier
Premier Shawn
Graham says poverty reduction must involve business and education initiatives.
November 12, 2009
Changes to combat poverty in New Brunswick could
be implemented during the next year, says Premier Shawn Graham. About 50 people
representing the non-profit sector, industry and government gathered in Saint
John on Thursday to talk about ways to reduce poverty in the province. It is the
final in a series of forums held across New Brunswick during the past year to
help develop a strategy to reduce poverty and drive social change.
Graham
promises money for poverty issues
October 9, 2009
Premier Shawn
Graham is committing to give Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock the money
he needs to fix New Brunswick's welfare system. Lamrock criticized successive
governments, including his own, in a speech Thursday in Saint John and said he
wants to put an end to welfare policy that tries to push people off assistance
simply to save money.
N.B.
minister slams own government on poverty issues
Social Development Minister
Kelly Lamrock proposes changes
October 8, 2009
The New Brunswick
government came under intense criticism for its handling of poverty issues Thursday,
but not from the Opposition. Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock accused
his own government of nickel-and-diming the poor and proposed some big, and likely
expensive, changes. In an extraordinary speech to a group of Saint John business
leaders, Lamrock trashed social assistance policies as being bureaucratic and
designed exclusively to save money, not to help the poor.
---
New
Brunswick: one step closer to a poverty reduction strategy
By
Mariel Angus
August 11, 2009
In 2002, Quebec became the first province in
Canada to introduce a poverty reduction strategy. Seven years later, four other
provinces – Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia
– have established strategies as well. Now, New Brunswick is one step closer
to establishing its own strategy to reduce poverty for the approximately 100,740
people in the province living on low income.
Source:
Citizens
for Public Justice
---
From New Brunswick Social Development:
Report
on poverty reduction dialogue sessions released
August 6, 2009
FREDERICTON
(CNB) - The leadership team of the New Brunswick Poverty Reduction Initiative
has released A Choir of Voices - The What Was Said Report. The report summarizes
public dialogue sessions held last winter as the first phase of Bringing the pieces
together, the comprehensive public engagement initiative that aims to develop
a poverty reduction plan for the province. (...) A Choir of Voices is the
basis of discussions being held during Phase II of the initiative, during which
participants in round-table sessions will develop options for how poverty can
be reduced. This process is intended to ensure that the voices of New Brunswickers
are heard.
A
Choir of Voices - The "What Was Said" Report (PDF - 1MB,
57 pages)
June 2009
In preparation for moving ahead with Phase II of the
public engagement initiative to develop a poverty reduction plan for New Brunswick,
this report presents a summary of the input received from New Brunswick residents
who participated in Phase I – The public dialogue. The comments are based
on personal experiences. Throughout the dialogue a lack of education, income,
job opportunities, and information about community supports and resources were
heard often as the causes of poverty. In addition, many great solutions were suggested,
and are summarized in this report.
News Release:
New
Brunswickers invited to help reduce poverty
October
17, 2008
MONCTON (CNB) - The provincial government is inviting New Brunswickers
to become involved in the development of a poverty reduction plan. (...) The province
is launching a public engagement initiative called Bringing The Pieces Together,
which will give New Brunswickers the opportunity to become involved in reducing
and preventing poverty. This initiative, to be completed by the end of 2009, will
be conducted in three stages: a dialogue phase; a round table phase; and a final
forum phase. The result will be the publication of a poverty reduction plan for
New Brunswick.
Booklet
- A Poverty Reduction Plan (PDF - 267K, 8 pages)
October 2008
Background
Fact
Check - Poverty in New Brunswick
October 2008
* People * Income
* Costs * Employment / Pensions * Community Services
A
snapshot of New Brunswick
October 2008
* People * Work * Education
* Housing * Health * Community Services
Source:
New
Brunswick Social Development
---
May
25, 2009 New Brunswick: Source: |
---
Common
Front for Social Justice (CFSJ) Press Conference (PDF - 113K, 3 pages)
October
30, 2008
"The Common Front for Social Justice [is] interested in the initiative
presented by the Minister of Social Development in her endeavour to launch a Poverty
Reduction Plan and for her decision to have public participation, including people
living in poverty. However, let us be clear, the process to develop this plan
will take over one year and there is nothing right now to address immediate problems.
(...) We urge the present government to adopt immediate measures to alleviate
the sufferings of people and to allow them to have a minimum amount of comfort
throughout the winter months. In our view, the government must adopt measures,
as soon as possible, in four specific areas:
- heating costs,
- current
legislation regarding minimum wage,
- basic welfare rates, and
- housing
assistance."
Source:
Press
releases (links to 30 releases going back to 2003)
[ Common
Front for Social Justice ]
The Common Front for Social Justice is fighting
to build a more human society based on the respect and dignity of all. We want
a New Brunswick without poverty. We want a society which give each and everyone
a decent living, in particular by having a minimum wage and social income on which
citizens can to live on and not just exist.
[ more
CFSJ Documents ]
Poverty
is everybody's business in N.B.
October 2, 2008
By Elsie Hambrook
Nasty
prejudices still get in the way of concerted action on poverty. Some people paint
all the poor with the same brush. They think the poor are "lazy" or
"irresponsible", that if they made different choices, worked harder
or "smarter", they could pull themselves out of poverty. Denial is also
a stumbling block, as in "I'd never go on welfare, it'll never happen to
me." The reality is that many people work full-time but earn less than the
poverty line, juggle part-time or seasonal jobs, education and training along
with family responsibilities and still can't make ends meet. For some New Brunswickers,
poverty is as close as a few missed paycheques, the result of a separation or
divorce for women, or of an illness or disability that strikes before the Old
Age Pension kicks in.
Source:
Times
& Transcript
[ Author Elsie Hambrook is the
new Chairperson of the
New Brunswick Advisory Council on the
Status of Women ]
Related link:
Shouldn't
we have a plan to reduce poverty?
A Woman's View
(PDF - 63K, 2 pages)
We should be hard-headed about poverty in New Brunswick
– “hard-headed” as in focussed and scientific about finding and
doing what works to eliminate poverty. Some current poverty programs, here and
in other jurisdictions, may have the effect of keeping people poor, for all the
care that goes into what gets called a “poverty program”. What is worse,
effective programs may be undone by other initiatives, given the lack of coordination
and of monitoring.
From the column by Ginette Petitpas-Taylor
Former Chairperson
of the
New Brunswick Advisory Council on the
Status of Women
in the Times
& Transcript, July 17, 2008.
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
Québec : National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion |
National
Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
With its National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, under
the theme, “The Will to Act, The Strength to Succeed”, the Québec
government intends to progressively transform Québec, over a ten-year
period, into one of the industrialized societies with the least poverty.
- incl. links to: * Summary of consultation process
* Bill * Parliamentary committee * Useful links * Policy statement * Summary
of policy statement * Report on government action
Source:
Ministère de
l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (English home page)
______________________________________________________
AVIS aux recherchistes francophones:
Vous trouverez les liens ci-dessous en français
sur la page
de liens du Québec pour francophones:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/qcbkmrk.htm
______________________________________________________
Facing
off across poverty line:
Shelter to shut doors for a day; 'Disheartened' by Quebec action plan
By T'cha Dunlevy
June 7, 2010
Aubin Boudreau, Director General of The Shelter Acceuil Bonneau, closes
his eyes and pauses for a moment to collect his emotions. Boudreau was speaking
to the press concerning the provincial governments underfunding of homeless
shelters that will require the Acceuil Bonneau to close on Monday, in Montreal
Sunday, June 6, 2010. On the day that a Montreal homeless shelter announced
it would close its doors for a day to decry a lack of funds, the Quebec
government announced its $7-billion action plan to improve the conditions
of people living in poverty through 2015. Accueil Bonneau will shut down
today - as a symbolic gesture - for the first time in its 133-year history.
Sam Hamad, the minister of employment and social solidarity, addressed the
issue briefly yesterday in a press conference with Minister of Social Services
Lise Thériault. However, he focused on his party's anti-poverty plan,
which includes housing proposals and tax credits.
Source:
Montreal Gazette
Also from The Gazette:
Plans
to cut payments draw ire of welfare-rights groups
By Jan Ravensbergen
June 10, 2010
MONTREAL - A media report that the Quebec government has developed plans
to chop $121 a month in social-assistance supplements received by 11,000
single mothers with pre-schoolers drew sharp condemnation Thursday from
a spectrum of welfare-rights advocacy groups. It also triggered a government
assertion in Quebec City that while no decision has yet been made, various
unspecified "scenarios" are being studied. Other classes of welfare
recipients considered able to work, including two-parent families and individuals
age 55 or more, are also being targeted for cutbacks - apparently packaged
with incentives for participation in job training, according to the report.
[More...]
---
Homeless
shelter closed in protest
June 7, 2010
In protest of what it calls a lack of government funding for Quebec's poor
and homeless, Accueil Bonneau is closing its doors for 24 hours Monday,
despite the government's announcement Sunday of a $7-billion plan to fight
poverty.The plan includes a tax credit, working incentive cash and funds
to mobilize groups to fight poverty, explained Employment Minister Sam Hamad.
While the Quebec government announced Sunday actions it plans to take to
alleviate poverty, including putting forth the sum over the next five years,
protestors from homeless shelter Accueil Bonneau said they weren't satisfied.
Source:
CTV News Montreal
---------------------------------------------------
Government
Action Plan for Solidarity and Social Inclusion 2010-2015:
Québec announces an action plan of nearly $7 billion for individuals
in situations of poverty
News Release
June 6th, 2010
Today, Sam Hamad, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister
of Labour, and Lise Thériault, Minister for Social Services, unveiled
the Government Action Plan for Solidarity and Social Inclusion 2010-2015:
Québec’s Combat Against Poverty, which comes with total investments
of nearly $7 billion. The Ministers were accompanied by the President of
the Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion
sociale (CEPE), Alain Noël, and by the Chair of the Comité consultatif
de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CCLP), Damien
Arsenault.
This action plan builds on a number of measures (e.g. Child Assistance and the Work Premium) introduced under the first Action Plan covering 2004-2010, and adds other structuring measures such as the Solidarity Tax Credit and an increase in funding ($115 million) for the Fonds québécois d’initiatives sociales (FQIS), which will enhance support for local, regional and Aboriginal anti-poverty projects.
________________
The Plan:
(English documents)
Government Action Plan for Solidarity and Social
Inclusion 2010-2015: Québec’s Combat Against Poverty
This second action plans builds on existing initiatives
and was also inspired by the ideas expressed by the nearly 2,500 individuals
and Québec and regional organizations consulted during the Rendez-vous
de la solidarité.
2004-2010
Government Action Plan
to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
Brief overview of the original Action Plan, which "brought together
a slate of measures worth $4.5 billion over the past six years[ending in
2010]."
* scroll to the bottom of that page to find links to the key reports on
the initial Action Plan, including the 2004 Plan itself in great detail
and annual reports for each year starting in June 2005
Final report of the
first Action Plan:
Year
Five Report (PDF file., 233K, 50 pages)
February 2010
Table of contents:
INTRODUCTION
QUÉBEC’S APPROACH TO COMBATING POVERTY
UPDATE ON THE VARIOUS MEASURES
* Improve the lives of people living in poverty
* Increase the income of individuals and families
* Measures for groups at risk of persistent poverty
* Better housing
* Better living conditions for individuals and families
* Prevent poverty and social exclusion by developing people’s potential
* Support for parents and early childhood
* School success and persistence
* Measures for young people under age 25
* Support for initiatives to promote seniors’ social participation
* Involve society as a whole
* Ensure consistent, coherent efforts
* Additional efforts
CONVINCING RESULTS AND A CHANGING SITUATION
* Low income rates using the Market Basket Measure
* Work and employment
* Improving disposable income
* Variations in the social aid rate since 2003
* Interprovincial comparison of households receiving last-resort financial
assistance
TOWARD A SECOND GOVERNMENT ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION
CONCLUSION
________________
Complete text of the
2010-2015 Action Plan
(French only):
Plan d’action gouvernemental pour
la solidarité et l’inclusion sociale 2010-2015 :
Le Québec mobilisé contre la pauvreté (French
only, Fichier PDF., 2,72 Mo, 52 pages)
________________
2010-2015 Action Plan Investments
(French only):
Plan
d'action gouvernemental
pour la solidarité et l'inclusion sociale 2010-2015
Communiqué
Le 6 juin 2010
Québec annonce un Plan d'action de près de 7 G$ pour améliorer
les conditions de vie des personnes en situation de pauvreté.
Investissements
relatifs au Plan d'action
gouvernemental pour la solidarité et l'inclusion sociale 2010-2015
(French only) (Fichier PDF., 17 ko, 1 page)
Le
Plan d'action en un coup d'oeil
- Près de 7 milliards de dollars sur cinq ans, alloués selon
quatre orientations:
1. Renforcer la solidarité en rapprochant les décisions des
milieux locaux et régionaux
2. Valoriser le travail et favoriser l’autonomie des personnes.
3. Soutenir le revenu des personnes défavorisées.
4. Améliorer les conditions de vie des personnes et des familles
à faible revenu.
________________________________
Related links to resources in English
from the Québec Government:
Rendez-vous
de la solidarité 2009
A society engaged in action
(solidarity consultations)
In order to take into account the experience and knowledge of as many people
as possible in drafting the 2010-2015 Government Action Plan for Solidarity
and Social Inclusion, consultations, collectively called Rendez vous de
la solidarité, were organized. In all, nearly 2,500 citizens and
groups from all sectors of society had the opportunity to exchange viewpoints
and express themselves.
Click the link above for more information on the Rendez vous initiative, including the province-wide and regional meetings with groups and individuals, focus groups, discussions with representatives of Aboriginal groups and an online citizen consultation.
Source (QC govt departments):
* Employment and Social
Solidarity
* Health and Social
Services
________________
Media coverage:
Montreal
Facing
off across poverty line:
Shelter to shut doors for a day; 'Disheartened' by Quebec action plan
By T'cha Dunlevy
June 7, 2010
Aubin Boudreau, Director General of The Shelter Acceuil Bonneau, closes
his eyes and pauses for a moment to collect his emotions. Boudreau was speaking
to the press concerning the provincial governments underfunding of homeless
shelters that will require the Acceuil Bonneau to close on Monday, in Montreal
Sunday, June 6, 2010. On the day that a Montreal homeless shelter announced
it would close its doors for a day to decry a lack of funds, the Quebec
government announced its $7-billion action plan to improve the conditions
of people living in poverty through 2015. Accueil Bonneau will shut down
today - as a symbolic gesture - for the first time in its 133-year history.
Sam Hamad, the minister of employment and social solidarity, addressed the
issue briefly yesterday in a press conference with Minister of Social Services
Lise Thériault. However, he focused on his party's anti-poverty plan,
which includes housing proposals and tax credits.
Source:
Montreal Gazette
Also from The Gazette:
Plans
to cut payments draw ire of welfare-rights groups
By Jan Ravensbergen
June 10, 2010
MONTREAL - A media report that the Quebec government has developed plans
to chop $121 a month in social-assistance supplements received by 11,000
single mothers with pre-schoolers drew sharp condemnation Thursday from
a spectrum of welfare-rights advocacy groups. It also triggered a government
assertion in Quebec City that while no decision has yet been made, various
unspecified "scenarios" are being studied. Other classes of welfare
recipients considered able to work, including two-parent families and individuals
age 55 or more, are also being targeted for cutbacks - apparently packaged
with incentives for participation in job training, according to the report.
[More...]
---
Homeless
shelter closed in protest
June 7, 2010
In protest of what it calls a lack of government funding for Quebec's poor
and homeless, Accueil Bonneau is closing its doors for 24 hours Monday,
despite the government's announcement Sunday of a $7-billion plan to fight
poverty.The plan includes a tax credit, working incentive cash and funds
to mobilize groups to fight poverty, explained Employment Minister Sam Hamad.
While the Quebec government announced Sunday actions it plans to take to
alleviate poverty, including putting forth the sum over the next five years,
protestors from homeless shelter Accueil Bonneau said they weren't satisfied.
Source:
CTV News Montreal
Quebec 2010-2011 Budget
Additional
Information on the Budgetary mesures (PDF - 1.3MB, 204 pages)
"(...) 6.1 Plan to combat poverty
In the coming months, the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity will
unveil the new 2010-2015 government action plan to combat poverty and social
exclusion. To support that initiative, the 2010-2011 Budget provides for
an additional investment of $1.3 billion for the next five years..."
- includes a table showing annual investments
to combat poverty over the next five years under each of several new measures:
* introduction of a Solidarity Tax Credit to provide for compensation for
planned tax increases
* additional funding to the Fonds québécois d’initiatives
sociales (social initiatives fund), to bolster collaborative intervention
by the various organizations involved
* 3,000 new social housing throughout Quebec plus 340 new dwellings in Nunavik
* new measures to help seniors with the cost of home supports
Source:
Quebec
2010-2011 Budget : Choices for the Future
March 30, 2010
[ Ministère
des Finances du Québec (English home page) ]
----------------------------
Quebec Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) --- NOTE: for a good objective summary of Quebec's ten-year National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, see: Poverty
Reduction Strategies in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador |
----------------------------
An
Act to combat poverty and social exclusion, R.S.Q., chapter L-7
Québec
is the only Canadian jurisdiction to enshrine its anti-poverty strategy in legislation
(passed in December 2002).
As noted above, the goal of the strategy is to
make Québec one of the industrialized societies with the least poverty
within ten years, by 2013.
Among its many provisions, the statute establishes two related entities: a multisectoral advisory body to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan and an "observatory" where information on poverty and social exclusion is collected and disseminated. These two entities are discussed below.
Comité
consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale
(Advisory
committee in the strategy against poverty, set up under the National Strategy)
-
incl. links to : Comité consultatif (About) - Initiatives to combat poverty
and social exclusion - Feedback - Press releases - Publications - Useful links
---
NOTE: The Comité consultatif is a public body whose role is
to advise the Québec Minister responsible for the application of the Action
Plan to combat poverty and social exclusion. This mission is not unlike that of
the National Council of Welfare
(NCW) at the federal government level with respect to the Minister responsible
for Human Resources and Social Development Canada, that is, to represent the interests
of all Canadians in offering counsel to the HRSDC Minister in all matters relating
to social development. Both the Comité consultatif and the NCW carry out
evaluations and other studies, and they present their views and and recommendations
directly to the Minister responsible and also to the public. Both groups also
monitor the social policies of their respective governments with a special focus
on the impacts of new policies on the incidence of poverty and social exclusion.
Centre
d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion (CEPE)
(Centre
for the study of poverty and exclusion)
The Centre d’étude sur
la pauvreté et l’exclusion is an observation, research and discussion
centre entrusted with providing reliable and rigourous information, notably of
a statistical nature, on poverty and social exclusion issues. Created within the
context of the Act to combat poverty and social exclusion, the CEPE acts
under the aegis of the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité
sociale (MESS) and is managed in collaboration with a steering committee composed
of members working in the academic research or government sector, or working with
people who are experiencing poverty or social exclusion.
- incl. links to:
*
Introduction to the CEPE * Statistics * Research activities * Publications * Lexicon
* Useful links
Recent release from CEPE:
Taking
the Measure of Poverty, Proposed indicators of poverty,
inequality and social
exclusion to measure progress in Québec:
Advice to the Minister
(PDF - 311K, 80 pages)
Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et
l’exclusion
2009
One of the mandates of the Centre d’étude
sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion is to propose, to the minister of Emploi
et Solidarité sociale, measures and indicators of poverty, inequality and
social exclusion to measure progress in Québec in the implementation of
the Act to combat poverty and social exclusion. This advice is a first proposition
in that direction.
[ more
reports by CEPE ]
Source:
Centre
d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion (English home
page)
The Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion
(CEPE) is an observation, research and discussion centre entrusted with providing
reliable and rigourous information, notably of a statistical nature, on poverty
and social exclusion issues. (...) One of the main mandates of the CEPE is to
develop and recommend to the Minister a series of indicators to be used in measuring
poverty and social exclusion and social and economic disparities, as well as other
indicators of poverty.
Comité
consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CCLP)
- English page
[Consultative Committee on the Strategy to Combat Poverty and
Social Exclusion]
"...The primary role of this committee is to advise
the Government of Québec on the actions implemented under the National
Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion."
|
Key Reports Annual Progress Reports on the Government Action Plan to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion: Year
One (2004-2005) Report (PDF file - 605K, 47 pages) Year
Two (2005-2006) Report (PDF file - 965K, 38 pages) Year
Three (2006-2007) Report (PDF file - 869K, 32 pages) Year
Four Report ( French only --- PDF file., 1,25MB, 39
pages) Final report of the Year
Five Report (PDF file., 233K, 50 pages) Related links Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale Government
Action Plan to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion (PDF file - 400K,
66 pages) The
Will to Act - The Strength to Succeed National
Strategy to Combat Poverty and social exclusion: National
Strategy to Combat Poverty : Don't Leave Anyone Out (PDF file - 481K,
37 pages) |
More selected reports from the
Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion
and the
Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion
sociale
Release of the first recommendation of the
Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion
sociale
April 3, 2008
Rates
that exclude, solutions that unite
The advisory committee makes its first recommendation
Today, April 3, 2008, in Montréal, the chair of the Comité
consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l'exclusion sociale, Mr.
Tommy Kulczyk, addressed the repercussions of rate increases on the living
conditions of low-income individuals with the release of the advisory committee’s
first recommendation. The committee illustrates how rate increases on basic
commodities like heating, electricity and transportation compromise the
ability of the impoverished and socially excluded to integrate society.
These increases contribute to social exclusion by forcing these people to
spend too much of their meagre resources on basic commodities and increasing
their isolation.
The members of the advisory committee feel there is an urgent need to act
on a situation that is creating a breach in the efforts made by Québec
to fight poverty and social exclusion. The committee has drawn up eleven
unifying recommendations comprising short-, medium- and long-term actions
that are fully sustainable in approach.
L’urgence
d’agir relativement aux répercussions des hausses tarifaires
(PDF - 46K, 2 pages) - available in French only.
Communiqué
Montréal,
le 3 avril 2008 – Le président du Comité consultatif de lutte
contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale, M. Tommy Kulczyk, a rendu
public aujourd’hui le premier avis de cet organisme créé pour
conseiller le ministre responsable de la mise en œuvre de la Loi visant à
lutter contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale sur les actions à
entreprendre pour lutter contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale.
Cet avis s’intitule « Des tarifs qui excluent… Des solutions qui
rassemblent ».
Les
répercussions des hausses tarifaires sur les
conditions de vie des
personnes à faible revenu (PDF - 1.1MB, 28 pages) - currently
(April 6/08) available in French only (although a note on the inside cover
page states that "this document is available in English; check the Committee's
English home page to see
if the English has now been posted on their site.)
Source:
Comité
consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CCLP)
- (English home page)
[Consultative Committee on the Strategy to Combat
Poverty and Social Exclusion]
Related links:
Quebec
poor getting poorer: report
April 3, 2008
By Kristy Rich
QUEBEC CITY - The Quebec government must do more to protect the buying power
of the poor from the rising costs of living, says a government advisory
commitee created to ensure the government is respecting its Anti-Poverty
Law. Though the cost of electricity and public transit are increasing, committee
Chair Tommy Kulcyzk says the government has not fully indexed welfare payments.(..)
The report's 11 recommendations include compensating welfare recipients
for the cost of increasing tariffs by comparative increases in their sales
tax refund; and cutting the cost of public transit fares in half over the
next decade.
Source:
CJAD (Montreal AM radio)
Rates
that exclude, solutions that unite
The advisory committee makes its first recommendation
Today, April 3, 2008, in Montréal, the chair of the Comité
consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l'exclusion sociale, Mr.
Tommy Kulczyk, addressed the repercussions of rate increases on the living
conditions of low-income individuals with the release of the advisory committee’s
first recommendation. The committee illustrates how rate increases on basic
commodities like heating, electricity and transportation compromise the
ability of the impoverished and socially excluded to integrate society.
These increases contribute to social exclusion by forcing these people to
spend too much of their meagre resources on basic commodities and increasing
their isolation.
The members of the advisory committee feel there is an urgent need to act
on a situation that is creating a breach in the efforts made by Québec
to fight poverty and social exclusion. The committee has drawn up eleven
unifying recommendations comprising short-, medium- and long-term actions
that are fully sustainable in approach.
L’urgence
d’agir relativement aux répercussions des hausses tarifaires
(PDF - 46K, 2 pages) - available in French only.
Communiqué
Montréal, le 3 avril 2008 – Le président du Comité
consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale,
M. Tommy Kulczyk, a rendu public aujourd’hui le premier avis de cet
organisme créé pour conseiller le ministre responsable de
la mise en œuvre de la Loi visant à lutter contre la pauvreté
et l’exclusion sociale sur les actions à entreprendre pour lutter
contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale. Cet avis s’intitule
« Des tarifs qui excluent… Des solutions qui rassemblent ».
Les
répercussions des hausses tarifaires sur les
conditions de vie des personnes à faible revenu (PDF
- 1.1MB, 28 pages) - currently (April 6/08) available in French only
(although a note on the inside cover page states that "this document
is available in English; check the Committee's English
home page to see if the English has now been posted on their site.)
Source:
Comité consultatif
de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CCLP)
- (English home page)
[Consultative Committee on the Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social
Exclusion]
Recent CEPE reports:
February
7, 2008
Report on low incomes in Québec
This document
describes poverty trends in recent years and the proportion of low-income family
units among Quebecers, the gap between their income and low-income thresholds,
the duration of their situation, and their main sociodemographic and economic
characteristics. More detailed information is provided about unattached persons
and last-resort financial assistance recipients.
Details
and document
Press
release (PDF, 94 ko) (French)
February
7, 2008
New
"Other Documents" section
You can now consult the new Other
Documents section, which comprises a number of documents that are considered
to provide important information for understanding poverty-related phenomena.
February
7, 2008
Strategic plan for anti-poverty research and knowledge transfer
The
purpose of this strategy is to increase research efforts aimed at a fuller understanding
of the problem of poverty and to contribute to producing lasting solutions. The
strategy insists on the importance of knowledge transfer and appropriation and
the need to make research results known and easy to access.
Details
and document
Related reports:
-------------------------------------
Éliminer
la pauvreté : ce que peuvent faire les gouvernements (PDF -
316Ko, 9 pages)
[Available in French only]
Alain Noël, PhD
Université
de Montréal
Le 17 avril 2008
« (...) Collectivement, nous devrons
également garder à l'esprit que pour éradiquer la pauvreté,
il ne suffit pas de miser sur la croissance économique et sur l'emploi.
Il faut aussi redistribuer le revenu. »
Source:
Petits
déjeuners sur la Colline
[ Fédération
canadienne des sciences humaines ]
NOTE to Anglophones:
In his April 17 presentation, Éliminer la pauvreté : ce que peuvent faire les gouvernements (What governments can do to eliminate poverty), Political Science Professor Alain Noël offers some interesting insights into poverty reduction/elimination in other countries and in Canada, with a special focus on Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the two provinces that already have a poverty reduction strategy in place. He also speaks about the recent resurgence of public interest in poverty reduction in Canada and on the world scene, and he suggests that the federal government needs to step up to the plate in terms of its poverty reduction efforts in areas such as Employment Insurance, income security for Canada's seniors, equalization, taxation and Aboriginal people.
Professor Noël's presentation (PDF - 316K, 9 pages) is available in French only.
Source:
Breakfast
on the Hill Series (English home page)
NOTE: click the link above to access
46 presentations in the Breakfast on the Hill series, going right back to 1996.
[
Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social
Sciences ]
From
the Family Network
[Canadian Policy Research Networks ]
A
Focus on Income Support: Implementing Quebec's Law Against Poverty and Social
Exclusion
May 28, 2004
Commentary (13 pages)
by Alain Noël
"For
the time being, it is probably good to praise an effort that was not expected
and that appears, in many ways, well intentioned and valuable. From now on, however,
the combat will have to continue, not only against poverty and social exclusion,
but also against prejudices and a perennial lack of vision."
- assessment
of the Charest government's action plan against poverty and social exclusion in
Quebec (which was released on April 2) by Alain Noël, who prepared an essay
on the original anti-poverty law late in 2002 (see the link below)
- comprehensive,
detailed info on the new action plan, including welfare reforms taking effect
over the coming year
[Click on the link above , then (on the next page), on
the word "Download" under the author's name to open the document in
PDF format]
A Law Against Poverty: Quebec’s
New Approach to Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
by Alain Noël
December 2002
Full
Report (PDF file - 554 K, 11 pages)
"On December 13, 2002, the
National Assembly in Quebec unanimously adopted a law to “combat poverty
and social exclusion.” Bill 112 is a framework law that includes a National
Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, a fund to support social initiatives,
an “Observatory,” and an Advisory Committee on the Prevention of Poverty
and Social Exclusion. This new law is unique in North America, and it constitutes
a significant political innovation, if only because it makes poverty reduction
an explicit and central policy priority. The bill is also the result of a remarkable
process of collective action and public deliberation."
From the Collective for a Poverty-Free Québec
The
Collective is a Quebec non-governmental organization whose aim is to promote a
law that would eradicate poverty in the province. Visit the Collective's site
to see the draft law to eliminate poverty.
[NOTE:
the French version is more
complete and current]
The
Quebec Government Action Plan to combat poverty
Forward, backward, sideways...
April
18, 2004
"Social activists outside Québec will have been impressed
by the Action Plan and by the impact of the Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
that mandated its publication. How could it have ever happened without such a
law that a right-wing government invests, during its first year in office, the
better part of $2.5 billion in direct improvements to the revenues of people living
in poverty ?"
From the Canadian Council on Social Development(CCSD):
The
fight against poverty: A model law
"An excellent article by
Camil Bouchard and Marie-France Raynault on Quebec’s ground-breaking anti-poverty
law recently appeared in Le Devoir."
January 22, 2003
Quebec
Renews Fight Against Poverty
June 2002
"On June 12, the
Government of Quebec tabled a bill in the National Assembly aimed at establishing
a strategy for poverty reduction in the province. This is a major step as Quebec
takes the lead in putting poverty back on the public (and legislative) agenda."
-
incl. links to five key documents
- Rendez-vous à la page de liens de recherche sociale au Québec: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/qcbkmrk.htm
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy |
|
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The links below are, for the most part, organized in reverse chronological
order, with the most recent additions at the top.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Recommendations
for
Short Term Rule Changes For 2010 (PDF - 213K, 11 pages)
Social Assistance Review Advisory Council
Dated February 2010 (submitted as confidential)
Released to the public August 16, 2010
NOTE: Although this paper was just released, Laurie Monsebraaten points
out in her Toronto Star article below that the Ontario government-appointed
Social Assistance Review Advisory Council made these 13 recommendations
respecting short-term changes for quick action in a report this past February.
Related links:
Fix
welfare rules, panel urges province
by Laurie Monsebraaten
August 16, 2010
(...) Short-term welfare changes recommended by Ontario's Social Assistance
Review Advisory Council:
Proposed changes not yet implemented:
* Ensure people on welfare with earnings
don’t face unreasonable hikes in subsidized rent.
* Increase asset limits.
* Extend asset exemptions to RRSPs and tax-free savings accounts.
* Treat Employment Insurance benefits as earnings for people receiving Ontario
Disability Support Program payments.
* Allow those who have been disqualified from Ontario's student loan program
to receive welfare while attending college or university.
* Do not treat loans as income.
* Do not stop welfare payments for dependent children leaving school.
* Allow single parents to keep partial child support.
* Increase medical transportation rates.
Proposed changes accepted in March 2010:
* Let friends and family give casual gifts
to people on welfare as is currently allowed for disabled people on benefits.
* Allow those who receive windfalls to remain eligible for welfare.
* Don't reduce welfare for those sharing accommodation
* Change welfare suspension rules for not participating in job search and
other requirements
Source:
The Toronto Star
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read the Council's
final report:
Recommendations for an Ontario Income
Security Review:
Report of the Ontario Social Assistance Review Advisory Council
May 2010
HTML
version - table of contents + links to individual sections of the
report
PDF
version (300K, 33 pages)
------------
From the
Ministry
of Community and Social Services:
Social
Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC)
SARAC was created by the government of Ontario to recommend a scope and
terms of reference for a review of Ontario's social assistance system. The
Ontario government committed to conducting a social assistance review as
part of its Poverty
Reduction Strategy.
[ Social
Assistance Advisory Council Members - biographical notes ]
|
|
From
Social Assistance Review to Income Security Review:
Why it Matters for Low-Income Ontarians
July 2010
The Social Assistance Review Advisory Council issued a report on June 14,
2010 (see below). In this report, the Council calls on the provincial government
to conduct an Ontario Income Security Review. The Council’s report
is important, because it gives the government a roadmap for how to review
social assistance and other income security programs in Ontario. But it’s
also important because it expands the focus of the discussion.
Before, people were talking about how to improve Ontario Works (OW) and
the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Now, we can talk about a bigger vision for how to improve all income and
support programs, so that people on OW and ODSP – and all low-income
people in Ontario – can have better, more productive, more respectful
programs to help them when they need it.
Source:
Income Security Advocacy Centre
(ISAC)
Related links:
Ontario
should adopt bold vision for welfare reform
Government panel says radical reform needed to meet Ontario’s changing
economic needs
By Laurie Monsebraaten
June 14, 2010
Ontario should adopt a bold vision for welfare reform that includes new
income supports and services for all low-income residents, says a government-appointed
panel in a report being released Monday. “We are currently investing
billions into federal and provincial programs that too often trap people
in poverty and fail to offer alternatives to social assistance,” said
Gail Nyberg of the Daily Bread Food Bank who chaired the panel of anti-poverty
experts. (...) Social Services Minister Madeleine Meilleur appointed the
panel last December to advise the government on the scope and terms of reference
for a review of social assistance, promised in 2008 as part of the Liberals’
anti-poverty strategy.
Source:
The Toronto Star
Read the report:
Recommendations for an Ontario Income Security Review:
Report of the Ontario Social Assistance Review Advisory Council
May 2010
HTML
version - table of contents + links to individual sections of the
report
PDF
version (300K, 33 pages)
Executive
summary
(...) The Social Assistance Review Advisory Council concludes that Ontario
does not need a review solely of social assistance – it needs a comprehensive
review of Ontario’s income security system. Ontario Works and the Ontario
Disability Support Program represent 23 percent of all provincial and federal
income security program spending that serves working-age adult Ontarians.
Social assistance is but one piece of a patchwork of income security, employment
and social supports.
Social
Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC)
SARAC was created by the government of Ontario to recommend a scope and
terms of reference for a review of Ontario's social assistance system. The
Ontario government committed to conducting a social assistance review as
part of its Poverty
Reduction Strategy.
[ Social
Assistance Advisory Council Members - biographical notes ]
Source:
Ministry
of Community and Social Services
See also:
Letters from Community and Social Services Minister
Madeleine Meilleur
to the Chair of the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council:
* June
10, 2010 (PDF - 22K, 2 pages)
* March
26, 2010 (PDF - 42K, 1 page)
____________________________________________________________
Version française:
Rapport du conseil consultatif d'examen de l'aide sociale de l'Ontario
Recommandations en vue de l'examen du système de sécurité
du revenu de l'Ontario
Mai 2010
Version
HTML - table des matières et liens vers les fichiers pour
chaque section du rapport
Version
PDF (231Ko., 39 pages)
Sommaire
du rapport
(...) Le Conseil consultatif d’examen de l’aide sociale conclut
que l’Ontario ne devrait pas se borner à étudier l’aide
sociale mais devrait plutôt procéder à un examen exhaustif
du système provincial de sécurité du revenu. Le programme
Ontario au travail et le Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées
représentent 23 % de l’ensemble des charges de programmes provinciales
et fédérales au titre de la sécurité du revenu
visant les Ontariennes et les Ontariens en âge de travailler. L’aide
sociale n’est que l’un des morceaux de la mosaïque formée
par les mécanismes de sécurité du revenu, d’aide
à l’emploi et de soutien social.
Source:
Conseil
consultatif d’examen de l’aide sociale
[ Notes
biographique au sujet des membres du conseil ]
Source:
Ministère
des Services sociaux et communautaires
Voir également:
Lettres de la ministre des Services sociaux et communautaires
adressées à
la présidente du conseil consultatif d'examen de l'aide sociale de
l'Ontario:
* lettre
du 10 juin 2010 (PDF - 22Ko., 2 pages)
* lettre
du 26 mars 2010 (PDF - 42Ko., 1 page)
|
|
Five
Principles for a New Nutritional Supplement Program
May 20, 2010
The Ontario government is replacing the Special Diet Allowance Program with
a new nutritional supplement program. As it designs this new program, the
government must ensure that it is not viewed in isolation from other aspects
of the social assistance system and the problems that people who rely on
it experience on a regular basis. (...) Recognizing that the new program
will be created before the [Social Assistance] Review can take place, we
urge the Ontario government to use the following five principles as guideposts
for the development of an “Ontario Nutritional Supplement”:
1. CLEAR POLICY OBJECTIVE
2. ACCESSIBILITY, ADEQUACY, AND EQUITY
*** Genuine accessibility to the program
*** Adequate levels of support
*** Regular adjustments to keep up with rising costs
*** Equity. This includes ensuring that all people on social assistance
who have health challenges are given financial support appropriate to their
needs.
3. MEETING THE NEED
4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CURRENT RECIPIENTS
5. TAKE THE TIME TO GET IT RIGHT
TAKE ACTION!
Help us make sure the new Ontario Nutritional Supplement meets the test
by:
1. Showing your support for these Five Principles by endorsing them online
at http://www.25in5.ca/take-action/
Endorse as an individual or get your organization to endorse.
2. Sending an email to the government to show your support,
using 25 in 5’s automatic email at http://www.25in5.ca/take-action/
Your email will go to Minister Deb Matthews, Minister of Health, who is
responsible for setting up the new Nutritional Supplement program. It will
also go to Laurel Broten, Minister Responsible for Poverty Reduction, and
Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance.
3. Sharing your support for these Five Principles with
your MPP.
You can find out who your MPP is by going to http://fyed.elections.on.ca/fyed/en/form_page_en.jsp
After finding the name of your riding, click on “information about
your MPP”.
4. Telling your story about the benefit you’ve had
from being on Special Diet, by going to http://25in5.ca/without-special-diet/
Share what it will mean to you if the provincial government’s new Nutritional
Supplement program doesn’t meet the Five Principles test. If you work
with people currently receiving Special Diet, please tell them about this
opportunity to tell their story.
|
|
Premier
McGuinty Responds to 25 in 5
Posted to the 25 in 5 website May 17, 2010
On April 29, Michael Creek and Greg deGroot-Maggetti of 25 in 5 wrote to
the Premier about the cancellation of the Special Diet Allowance (see below),
which will have an impact on several thousand OW and ODSP recipients, and
the 1% increase to social assistance rates, which falls short of the inflation
rate. Predictably, the reply from the Premier (dated May 6) follows the
dog-eared template that many advocacy groups know so well from past experience:
1. Thank you for your valuable feedback regarding [insert name of issue]
in Ontario.
2. List McGuinty government's accomplishments in the area of [insert name
of issue].
3. Reiteration of McGuinty government's firm commitment to reform and improve
[insert name of issue].
4. Redirect letter/request to the Minister responsible for [insert name
of issue] for further processing (read possible delay).
The letter from 25 in 5 to
Premier McGuinty:
Open
Letter to Premier McGuinty
from the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction:
Budget Decisions on Social Assistance Call Commitment into Question
April 29, 2010
Source:
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25 in 5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial
and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty.
|
|
2010 Ontario Budget - March 25, 2010
2010
Ontario Budget: Sector Highlights
Poverty Reduction Strategy
- one per cent increase in adult basic-needs allowances and maximum shelter
allowances in Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program in
the fall of 2010.
- Special Diet Allowance - being phased out and replaced by a new nutritional
supplement program to be administered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care.
- Ontario commits $63.5 million a year permanently in the area of child
care, to fill the gap left by the federal government (since the termination
of the Early Learning and Child Care Agreement).
- provincial minimum wage will rise to $10.25/hour on March 31, 2010.
- $11.8 billion in tax relief for people over three to enhance ongoing sales
and property tax relief, cut personal income taxes and help Ontarians adjust
to the transition to the Harmonized Sales Tax
NOTE: the remainder of the highlights page is an overview of poverty reduction
measures announced since the previous Ontario budget, such as the Social
Assistance Review Advisory Council, new housing infrastructure initiatives,
increased funding for the Youth Opportunities Strategy, improvements to
dental services for kids in low-income families, full-day learning for four-
and five-year olds, and more...
Source:
2010
Ontario Budget (main budget page)
March 25, 2010
|
Have
the poor fallen off the agenda?
March 15, 2010
By Carol Goar
"(...) As budget day approaches, anti-poverty groups aren't expecting
much. They know times are tough. They know education, not poverty reduction,
is McGuinty's priority. They know the poor are always told to wait when
there is a deficit. They'd like to trust the premier. But all the harbingers
look bleak.
Source:
Toronto Star
|
|
A
test of Ontario's appetite to fight for poverty reduction
By Mike Creek (25 in 5 Network for Poverty reduction),
Adrianna Tetley (Association of Ontario Health Centres),
ODSP Action Coalition
March 20, 2010
Ontario is about to face one of the biggest tests of its commitment to poverty
reduction. Will it comply with an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ruling that
says it must end discrimination in its special diet allowance program, or
will it target the program for cuts as part of its deficit reduction plan?
At stake is not only Ontario's "25-in-5" poverty reduction target
but also the very lives of the many Ontarians who have nowhere else to turn
for support. The special diet program is a long-standing part of Ontario's
social assistance system. It provides additional allowances for people with
higher food costs due to prescribed medical dietary treatment.(...) In 2008,
Ontario committed to a five-year poverty reduction strategy. All parties
in the Legislature agreed to take public action to reduce poverty by 25
per cent by the year 2013 – the 25 in 5 target. We celebrated the turning
of the corner on the poverty debate in Ontario. We would be the first to
applaud the government's decision to maintain the special diet program and,
in keeping with the tribunal's ruling, enhance allowances accordingly. Eliminating
the program, however, could erase all the goodwill the government has built
on poverty reduction.
Source:
Toronto Star
* 25
in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
* Association of Ontario Health Centres
* ODSP Action Coalition
Related link:
Letter
from the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario (NPAO)
and the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) to the
Minister of Community and Social Services
March 18, 2010
"...the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario and Registered
Nurses' Association of Ontario strongly urge you to withdraw the directive
and respect the professional opinion of authorized health professionals,
including nurse practitioners, in those cases where, in their clinical judgment,
a social assistance recipient’s condition entitles them to the Special
Diet Allowance.
Source:
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
Nurse Practitioners’ Association of
Ontario
|
|
Ontario 2010 Pre-Budget Consultations
Promoting
Economic Recovery, Advancing Poverty Reduction:
Pre-Budget Submission to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
(PDF - 51K, 8 pages)
Submitted by: Social Planning Toronto
February 3, 2010
In this submission, we focus on initiatives that will promote economic recovery
and advance the provincial government’s commitment on poverty reduction.
Source:
Social Planning Toronto
Social Planning Toronto (SPT; formerly the Community Social Planning Council
of Toronto) is a nonprofit community organization engaged in research, policy
analysis, community development and civic engagement aimed at improving
the quality of life of Toronto residents. SPT’s work focuses on poverty
reduction with an emphasis on income security, good jobs, affordable housing
and strong public education.
Related links:
(links to presentations to Committee by SPT and other groups in January/February
2010)
Committee
Transcripts of the
Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
This link gives you access to all transcripts of this Committee right back
to 2007, including (but not limited to) pre-budget consultations
that preceded the Ontario Budgets from 2007 to the upcoming 2010 budget
expected late in March. The top seven links in the right-hand column are
all 2010 pre-budget consultation transcripts.
Source:
Standing
Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
RESEARCH TIP:
I highly recommend government pre-budget consultation websites as a rich
source of information on Canadian social programs in an economic and fiscal
context.
I'm using Ontario as an example here, but every jurisdiction in Canada has
a pre-budget process in place for organizations and people to make their
pitch about the best way to allocate budget dollars. There's usually a link
to the pre-budget process on the main budget page for each province/territory.
If you click the Ontario "Committee Transcripts" link above, you'll note (on the next page, at the top of the right-hand column) links to seven transcripts of submissions made to the Committee by interested organizations and individuals. You'll have to click on the link for each transcript to see a list of the groups and people whose presentations are included in that day's transcript. The seven transcripts cover the Committee hearings from January 25 to February 3 (2010), and they include presentations from a wide range of intervenors, from the National Citizens' Coalition and social advocacy groups, to municipal councils and labour unions. If you've read this far, I think you'll want to check all seven daily transcripts for compelling presentations (and a wealth of program information) by the ODSP Action Coalition, the Ottawa Poverty Reduction Network, the Wellesley Institute, the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction, Ontario Campaign 2000, Social Planning Toronto, the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, the Income Security Advocacy Centre, and many more...
[ Use the same technique to find pre-budget submissions for any jurisdiction by any organization that has a presence on the Internet. It's a slow and cumbersome process, but it offers insights into our social programs and our social policies that you often can't find elsewhere...]
__________________________________________
Another submission to the
Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs:
Stepping
up for Ontarians:
Staying the course on poverty reduction commitments
(PDF - 168K, 7 pages)
Submission to Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs
February 1, 2010
(...) What we know from this past recession is that we are all vulnerable.
Every child is vulnerable, every middle class job is vulnerable, every household
is vulnerable, and every community is vulnerable. But strategic solutions
are at hand. Some solutions require immediate investments to
protect the vulnerable and stimulate the economy by keeping and creating
good jobs; others require simple rule changes to ensure the Premier meets
his government's priority of providing the best public services for Ontario's
vulnerable.
Source:
25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised
of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals
working on eliminating poverty. (...) We are asking our government for a
plan to reduce Ontario poverty levels by 25% in 5 years and by 50% before
2018.
- Go to the 2010 Canadian Government Budgets Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/budgets_2010.htm
|
|
The City of Ottawa's
Poverty Reduction Strategy
Poverty
Affects Us All:
A Community Approach to Poverty Reduction (PDF
- 1.9MB, 83 pages)
Undated (PDF file date: December 11, 2009)
Ottawa's initiative
builds on the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy and expands the target group
to include individuals, families and children living on low income. The focus
of Ottawa's Strategy is to implement local initiatives that reduce poverty, promote
awareness and complement existing activities in the community.The report presents
3 Strategic Priorities and 16 Recommendations, including concrete, local actions
that can be achieved and measured within a two-year timeframe. Beginning in 2010,
Phase II of the Strategy will implement the recommendations and monitor progress
by developing measures and tracking outcomes.
Source:
Poverty
Affects Us All : A Community Approach to Poverty Reduction
Note
: Report to be presented to Community and Protective Services Committee and Council
21
January 2010
By Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager (City Operations)
[
version française :
La
pauvreté, c'est l'affaire de tous : une approche communautaire pour réduire
la pauvreté ]
Related links:
……..
something left over at the end of the month (PDF - 167K, 48 pages)
Report
from the Community Poverty Reduction Strategy Forum
held on June 25, 2008
at
Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa.
Prepared by the Ottawa Poverty Reduction Network
for
the Ontario Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
chaired by the Hon. Deb
Matthews.
City
of Ottawa Proposes Poverty Reduction Strategy
September 28, 2009
Source:
Citizens for public Justice
Ottawa
Poverty Network
The Ottawa Poverty Reduction Network is a group of
community organizations and anti-poverty advocates that
came together in early
2008 to support the participation of low income individuals in the development
of
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Alliance to End Homelessness in Ottawa
Ontario
Making Progress On Poverty Reduction
McGuinty Government
Releases First Annual Report
News Release
December
2, 2009
Ontario is delivering on its poverty reduction strategy by making historic
investments in low-income families during challenging economic times. The first
annual report on the Breaking the Cycle strategy released today highlights three
pillars that the government has delivered on:
* Accelerating the Ontario Child
Benefit
* Moving forward with full-day learning for four and five year olds
* Tax fairness for low-income families
Complete report:
Breaking
the Cycle: The First Year
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2009 Annual
Report
HTML
version
PDF
version (1.2MB, 23 pages)
Related link:
Ontario
Deprivation Index
December 2, 2009
A 'deprivation index' is a list
of items or activities considered necessary to have an adequate standard of living,
but those who are poor are unlikely to be able to afford. The items in a deprivation
index are not a comprehensive list of basic needs since in a wealthy society such
as Ontario most households, even the poor, are likely to have most of the basic
necessities. The items in the index are intended to distinguish the poor from
the non-poor. According to research, the items in Ontario's index are all widely
seen by Ontarians as being necessary for a household to have a standard of living
above the poverty level. (...) Ontario's deprivation index was developed through
a unique partnership with the Ontario government, the Daily Bread Food Bank, the
Caledon Institute of Social Policy and Statistics Canada.
Source:
Ministry
of Children and Youth Services
[ Government
of Ontario ]
Making
Good on the Promise:
Evaluating Year One of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy
December
2, 2009
HTML version
PDF
version (221K, 27 pages)
A year ago, as Canada plunged into one of
the sharpest recessions since the Great Depression, the Ontario government assumed
long-awaited leadership to tackle poverty. On December 4, 2008 it promised to
enact a plan to reduce child and family poverty by 25 per cent by 2013. Making
good on that promise would lift more than 90,000 Ontario children and their families
out of poverty within five years. This report evaluates what has been done so
far and how much further they'll have to go to meet the goal.
Source:
25
in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based
organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. (...) We are asking
our government for a plan to reduce Ontario poverty levels by 25% in 5 years and
by 50% before 2018.
Related link:
Ontario
risks missing poverty reduction targets: report
Anti-poverty campaigners
say Ontario risks missing its targets just one year into its plan to reduce child
poverty by 25 per cent by 2013.
December 2, 2009
The 25 in 5 Poverty
Reduction Network says some good steps have been taken but warns that without
immediate public support, the province's poverty rate will "explode."
In
a report released ahead of the province's own update, the group also says that
repeating the mistakes of the 1990s recession — especially making cuts to
public sector programs and services — will make it harder for people to move
out of poverty. It wants the province to review its rules around social assistance
and make increases to the Ontario Child Benefit, affordable housing and the minimum
wage.
Source:
CBC
From
Promise to Reality – Recession
Proofing Ontario Families
2009 Report
Card on Child & Family Poverty in Ontario
(PDF - 234K, 8 pages)
November 2009
* Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy - Key commitments and progress as of November 2009
* Indicators of Child & Family Poverty: A 20 Year Retrospective
* Rate
and Depth of Poverty
* Working Poor Families
* Children at Greater Risk
of Poverty
* Children in Families on Social Assistance
* Food Bank Use by
Children
* Access to Affordable Housing
* Access to Quality, Regulated Child
Care
* Looking Ahead - The Need for Strong Leadership in Tough Times
* Next
Steps in Poverty Reduction – What Ontario Needs to Do Now
Version
française:
D’une
promesse à la réalité – prémunir les familles
ontariennes contre la récession
Rapport
2009 sur la pauvreté des enfants et des familles en Ontario
(PDF - 231Ko., 8 pages)
Novembre 2009
Related
link:
Campaign
2000
More
Support For Crown Ward Students
McGuinty Government Building Tomorrow's Highly
Skilled Workforce
November 12, 2009
Ontario is helping more
Crown wards succeed at college, university and apprenticeship training. Seven
new Crown Ward Education Championship Teams will offer mentorship, peer support,
motivation, and guidance to Crown wards across the province. This doubles the
number of teams in Ontario to 14. The teams will help these students access and
succeed in postsecondary education and training. Teams include volunteers from
local school boards, Children's Aid Societies, postsecondary institutions, community
agencies, Employment Ontario and provincial ministries. Support of Crown wards
is part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, which
aims to reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over five
years -- lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty -- by boosting benefits for low-income
families and enhancing publicly-funded education.
Learn
more:
* Breaking
the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy
* Find
out more about Ontario's colleges and universities.
* See
how Ontario is helping to build a highly skilled workforce.
* ontario.ca/news
* Removing
Education Barriers For Crown Wards
Source:
Newsroom
- Ontario Government
Five
benchmarks for social assistance
Ontario's fiscal woes come
as bad news for the
growing number of Ontarians dealing with the fallout from
the recent economic storm.
By Pat Capponi (Voices From the Street)
and
Jennefer Laidley (Income Security Advocacy Centre)
October 27, 2009
As
provincial coffers dry up, thousands of individuals and families also face increasing
financial hardship. With unemployment expected to hit 10 per cent by 2010, there
could soon be 400,000 of us out of work. And while federal changes to employment
insurance will offer some short-term relief, they may be too little, too late.
(...) The commitment to review Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support
Program – made in the province's poverty reduction strategy last December
– has been agonizingly slow to get off the ground. (...) [T]he newly appointed
minister responsible for poverty reduction, Laurel Broten, and the government's
poverty reduction results team must make the social assistance review their first
order of business to support Ontario's strategy for climbing out of the recession.
As Ontario considers its plan for moving forward, the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction offers the following five benchmarks for a social assistance review
that will meet the test:
* The review must be grounded in a bold vision: economic
security and opportunity for all Ontarians.
* The review must be proactive.
* A timely process to launch deep reforms must be part of the review package.
* Providing decent, adequate income supports must be a stated outcome of
the review.
* People who have had to rely on Ontario Works and the Ontario
Disability Support Program must have a leading role in shaping the review's recommendations.
Source:
Toronto Star
Authors Pat Capponi and Jennefer Laidley are members of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction, a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty.
Related links:
Voices
From the Street
Voices from the streets was launched in 2005 with funding
from the City of Toronto’s Supporting Community Partnership Initiative to
develop a speakers bureau comprised of individuals with mental health and addictions
history. (...) Voices From the Street is comprised of individuals
who have had direct experience with homelessness, poverty, and/or mental health
issues. The organization works to put a human face to homelessness and involves
people with direct experience as leaders in a public education process.
Income
Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)
The Income Security Advocacy Centre
works with and on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues
of income security and poverty.
Social
Assistance Review - A sub-site of the Income Security Advocacy Centre
Comprehensive
source for issues, stories, resources, analysis, and news about the review
-
incl. links to : About - Take Action - Tell Your Story - Resources - News
25
in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25 in 5 is a multi-sectoral network
comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals
working on eliminating poverty.
25
in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
Commitments Made; Action Taken?
eBulletin
for October 14, 2009
Table of contents:
1. Quote of the Week: This is Our
Chance to Get it Right
2. How is the Government Doing on Poverty Reduction?
3. Action Alert: No Cherry Picking on Early Learning
4. An Update from the
Housing Network of Ontario
5. Dental Treatment for Low-Income Ontarians
6. Star Editorial Suggests We "Do the Math"
7. Ontario's Food Banks
Hard Hit
Source:
25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network
comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals
working on eliminating poverty. We have organized ourselves around the call for
a Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25% in 5
years and 50% in 10 years.
No
Relief in Sight This Thanksgiving: 1700 Ontarians “Do the Math” and
Find Social Assistance Rates Don’t Add Up
October
8, 2009
Press Release
October 8, 2009
TORONTO – Thanksgiving is
a time to remember that everyone should have enough food to eat — if not
to celebrate with an abundant meal, at the very least to meet the minimum requirements
for health and dignity. But data released from a new website shows what too many
people lining up at food banks this Thanksgiving already know: social assistance
in Ontario does not add up. The Stop Community Food Centre recently launched a
web-based budgeting tool called “Do the Math” that asks people to weigh
in on what they think a person on social assistance needs to survive. More than
1,700 people have completed the survey since it launched in June 2009, and results
show that even the most frugal estimates fall far short of what people receive
on Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Source:
Poverty
Watch Ontario
Mission : To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity
on the poverty reduction agenda
The
Stop Community Food Centre
From its origins as one of Canada’s
first food banks, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbours
participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, as well as
foster social connections, build food skills and promote engagement in civic issues.
Do
the Math
Poverty in Ontario is at an all time high. As the economic
crisis grows, so does the number of people relying on social assistance and food
banks.
Does a single person on social assistance receive enough income to live
with health and dignity?
Do The Math to find out!
Time
for a “Made in Ontario”
Working Income Tax Benefit
Institute
for Competitiveness & Prosperity and Open Policy Ontario
call for improvements
to Working Income Tax Benefit design in Ontario to help low-income earners escape
welfare.
September 2, 2009
Press Release
Toronto – The government
of Ontario should accept the invitation from the federal government to modify
the design of its Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). WITB benefits should be re-oriented
to support low-income earners when they work more, thereby easing their move from
social assistance onto full-time employment when welfare benefits are lost.
Complete report:
Time
for a “Made in Ontario”
Working Income Tax Benefit (PDF
- 897K, 28 pages)
September 2009
Open Policy Ontario
John Stapleton,
Principal
"Low-income Ontarians who are attempting to break out of poverty
to achieve financial sustainability often find barriers in their way. In fact,
many who try to break away from welfare and find employment face strong disincentives
to work. They continue to struggle with insufficient work, low wages, and little-to-no
wage progression. (...) This report is not about addressing the full range of
welfare reform; rather, it seeks to merge the WITB and Ontario’s welfare
system and thus provide greater incentives for low-income Ontarians to achieve
full-time employment by reducing the barriers created by the welfare wall. (...)
Authors:
James Milway
and Katherine Chan,
Institute
for Competitiveness & Prosperity
The Institute for Competitiveness
& Prosperity is an independent, not-for-profit organization that deepens public
understanding of macro and microeconomic factors behind Ontario’s economic
progress. We are funded by the Government of Ontario and are mandated to share
our research findings directly with the public. The Institute serves as the research
arm of the Task
Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress. The mandate
of the Task Force, announced in the April 2001 Speech from the Throne, is to measure
and monitor Ontario’s competitiveness, productivity, and economic progress
compared to other provinces and US states and to report to the public on a regular
basis.
John Stapleton,
Open
Policy Ontario
John Stapleton is Metcalf Innovations and St Christopher
House policy fellow and an expert on social policy and income issues.
Ontario
Social Assistance Review
On December 4, 2008,
the Ontario government released its Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Strategy made
a commitment to “undertake a review of social assistance” (p30). But
what this means is still unclear. The government has not yet released any terms
of reference for the Review – so there is no indication how it will proceed,
who will lead it, or how people with lived experience and local communities can
be involved. But we know it won’t be enough for the Review to simply tinker
with program rules, changing bits and pieces here and there. Ontario Works and
the Ontario Disability Support Program are built on a foundation of ideas that
work against the principle of poverty reduction.
- incl. links to: About
- Take Action - Tell Your Story - Resources - News
Source:
Income
Security Advocacy Centre
Related links:
Are
welfare laws oppressing the poor?
Activists say old
social assistance rules hurt disabled, drive people further into poverty
June
24, 2009
By Laurie Monsebraaten
"(...) Queen's Park had promised to
review the [welfare] system this year as part of its groundbreaking poverty reduction
plan, released in December. The government repeated the pledge in its March budget
but has yet to say when the review will start, how broad it will be and how the
community will participate. A spokesperson for social services minister Madeleine
Meilleur, whose ministry will lead the review, said the government is still committed
to the initiative and "eager" to get started but has yet to determine
its scope. (...) Ontario's social assistance system must be part of the government's
strategy for a prosperous Ontario, said Mary Marrone, legal director for the Income
Security Advocacy Centre, which staged the forum [Toronto Forum on welfare reform,
held June 23].
Source:
The Toronto Star
2009
Research Roundtable Proceedings
June 14, 2009
On
Tuesday, March 3, Social Planning Toronto hosted its 2009 Research Roundtable:
“Research for Social Change”. The event brought together more than 125
community-based, government and academic researchers, policy analysts and activists
to share information on current research initiatives, discuss opportunities for
collaboration, and exchange ideas for using research to advance social change
and challenge poverty in Ontario. The Roundtable provided an opportunity to share
perspectives on poverty-reduction research from our various vantage points –
inside and outside of government – broadly focused around Ontario’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).
Download the full proceedings (Microsoft Word format - 381K, 39 pages)
Source:
Social
Planning Toronto
Social Planning Toronto is committed to independent social
planning at the local and city-wide levels in order to improve the quality of
life for all people in Toronto. It is committed to diversity, social and economic
justice, and active citizen participation in all aspects of community life.
Town
Hall a success as Toronto families remind MPs: Good jobs and public services reduce
poverty
Repairing EI, establishing a national public child care program,
good green jobs and investment in affordable housing identified as priorities
at community town hall meeting.
June 2, 2009
TORONTO-On Monday evening,
more than 100 people participated in a town hall meeting held to get input from
community members who will not be given an opportunity to address Parliamentary
hearings about the federal role in poverty reduction.
A
Poverty Reduction Plan for Canada (PDF - 318K, 21 pages)
Notes
from a town hall meeting on the role of the federal government in poverty reduction
June
1, 2009
TORONTO - On June 1st, Campaign 2000 and the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction held a Town Hall Meeting to get community input on what the federal
role should be in reducing poverty in Canada. The event coincided with the Toronto
hearings of the Federal Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development
and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA). This is the only hearing in
Ontario of this federal committee studying poverty, but many were not able to
formally present to the Committee. This Town Hall provided an opportunity for
community groups and people with lived experience of poverty to present to a community
panel
Source:
25-in-5 Network for Poverty Reduction
Related links:
Designing
new architecture for Ontario social assistance
Forget trying to reform
the current system and build a new one that is both simpler and fairer
June
2, 2009
By John Stapleton
When Ontario's long-promised review of welfare
begins this spring, the provincial government faces a stark choice. Does it spend
years trying to unravel a set of 800 social assistance rules that make up the
current outdated system? Or will this government take the bolder road and build
an entirely new and improved income security system? (...) The social assistance
system in Ontario was rebuilt during the 1990s with the introduction of the Ontario
Works Act and the Ontario Disability Support Program Act. The purpose was to provide
a basic welfare program in Ontario Works whose success was predicated on the principle
that only the neediest of the needy would receive assistance. Success was defined
in terms of leaving the program. Reliance on the program was considered dependency.
That system does not work. It needs replacing.
Source:
The
Toronto Star
John Stapleton is a Metcalf Innovations Fellow, and Community
Undertaking Social Policy Fellow at St. Christopher House in Toronto.
This
article is based on his report on Ontario's new income architecture, The 'Ball'
or the 'Bridge': The stark choice for social assistance reform in Ontario
(see below).
[ Open Policy
- John Stapleton's personal website ]
Complete report:
The
‘Ball’ or the ‘Bridge’:
the stark choice for social assistance
reform in Ontario (PDF - 243K, 5 pages)
May 2009
By John Stapleton
"(...)
If Ontario chooses to keep the ‘ball’ (the 800 rules that guide welfare
in Ontario) stuck together and loosen eligibility rules (as it has historically
done during recessions), caseloads will climb and peak approximately three years
following the end of the recession at tremendous cost to the province while thwarting
human potential in a significant portion of Ontario’s adult population. The
choice is stark for social assistance reform in Ontario. We either can risk more
than doubling Ontario’s social assistance population as we did in the early
1990s or we can build the new bridge. The choice is ours to make."
Source:
Ontario
Alternative Budget
[ Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives ]
May
25, 2009 Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
A
better tool box for poverty reduction
May 25, 2009
By Carol
Goar
One of the defining characteristics of an effective social agency is that
it never stays still. It changes as the population of a community changes. It
creates new programs when the existing ones don't meet the needs of its clients.
It constantly looks for better ways to do things and better tools to help people.
Governments, on the other hand, lock their programs in place with rigid rules.
They demand conformity. They manage change by imposing limits and off-loading
responsibilities. This clash of visions leads to stifled creativity and half-solved
problems. That is the message a Senate delegation heard when it came to Toronto
this month, seeking solutions to urban poverty. Three members of the subcommittee
on cities – Senators Art Eggleton, Jane Cordy and Hugh Segal – spent
a morning at Woodgreen Community Services, one of Toronto's leading social agencies...
Source:
Toronto
Star
Related link:
Woodgreen
Community Services
At WoodGreen we believe that
everyone should have access to
the essentials of life whether that means a
roof over their head, a stable job or child care they can trust.
Poverty
Reduction Becomes Law in Ontario: Amended Bill 152 Gets All-Party Support
May
6, 2009
Toronto– Ontario has taken a historic step forward on poverty
reduction with the all-party approval of Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act,
said the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. The legislation requires Ontario
to set a new poverty reduction target and plan of action at least every five years,
and to consult regularly on its progress with low income people, groups at heightened
risk of poverty, and other key stakeholders. Poverty in Ontario can no longer
be ignored. (...) Amendments were made to the original Bill after the Legislature’s
Standing Committee on Social Policy heard suggestions over two days of public
hearings from two dozen community representatives, and received over 40 written
submissions.
Source:
25 in 5 Poverty Reduction
Network (Ontario)
Related links from the Toronto Star:
'Historic'
law compels Ontario to fight poverty
Requires the province to create goals
to cut numbers living in need
May 7, 2009
By Laurie Monsebraaten
and Tanya Talaga
Fighting poverty is now the law in Ontario.In a unanimous
vote yesterday, Queen's Park passed legislation that commits the province to become
a leading jurisdiction in the battle against poverty. The Poverty Reduction Act,
hailed by advocates as "historic," requires successive governments to
draft poverty-fighting strategies with specific goals every five years and to
report annually to the legislature on progress.
Welcome
boost for poverty bill
Editorial
May 07, 2009
It is significant
that a bill committing the Ontario government to a plan to reduce poverty was
passed with all-party support in the Legislature yesterday. It suggests there
is widespread agreement among the politicians that it is no longer acceptable
– either morally or economically – to leave more than a million Ontarians
in poverty. That acknowledgement – and the law now on the books – is
a wonderful beginning. But it is just a beginning. We ought not to forget that
in 1989 our federal politicians voted unanimously to "achieve the goal of
eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000." Sadly, two
decades after that resolution, the number of poor children is nearly the same.
Activists
strengthen anti-poverty legislation
May 07, 2009 04:30 AM
By
Greg deGroot-Magetti and Sarah Blackstock
The historic Poverty Reduction Act
passed this week with the support of all three political parties. This important
legislation requires the Ontario government, now and for years to come, to create
and implement poverty reduction strategies. No longer can poverty be ignored.
From the 25-in-5 Network for Poverty Reduction:
Update
on Legislation - A Letter from Minister Matthews
May
1, 2009
I’m writing to give you an update on Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction
Act. As you may have heard, the bill passed 2nd reading and was sent to the Social
Policy Committee to get public input on the bill. This was a great opportunity
to get feedback on the proposed bill and to further engage people on this landmark
piece of legislation. Following the input of 24 deputants and 13 written submissions,
I think we have a strengthened piece of legislation, and I’m grateful for
the thoughtful contributions made by all those who participated.
Real
gains made as poverty reduction becomes law
A Special Message from the
25 in 5 Legislative Action Table
April 29, 2009
Dear friends,
Ontario
is on the cusp of an historic step forward on poverty reduction as final reading
of Bill 152 is set to begin on Thursday of this week. We would like to send out
a word of gratitude for everyone who helped craft the 25 in 5 recommendations
and who participated in the hearings for Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act.
– our final submission is available at www.25in5.ca.
Submission
to the Standing Committee on Social Policy
regarding Bill 152, An Act respecting
a long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario (Word file - 226K,
6 pages)
April 2009
Source:
25-in-5:
Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised
of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working
on eliminating poverty.
Related link:
Bill
152 : An Act respecting a
long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario
(PDF - 349K, 10 pages)
Second reading copy, changes annotated
Strengthen
poverty bill
Editorial
April 20, 2009
Unemployment numbers
are soaring, welfare cases are rising and food banks are reporting shortages.
The economic downturn has made Ontario's plan to reduce poverty even more crucial
than when it was first promised by the Liberals. The initial target is to reduce
child poverty by 25 per cent within five years. We have seen targets like that
before, and they have been missed. But what makes this plan somewhat different
is the accompanying legislation, which would make poverty-reduction an ongoing
government responsibility. Children's Minister Deb Matthews, who designed the
province's anti-poverty strategy, states: "The only way we're ever going
to succeed in the fight against poverty is for it to become a core responsibility
of governments now and in the future." Political interests and governments
come and go, so the anti-poverty bill – now before a legislative committee
– would be a tool to hold politicians to account.
Source:
Toronto
Star
Ontario's
Poverty Reduction Strategy and the 2009 Budget
March 26, 2009
"(...)
The Poverty Reduction Strategy' target is to reduce the number of children living
in poverty by 25 per cent over the next 5 years. All low-income families with
children would see the benefits of this strategy, which would help lift 90,000
children out of poverty. The government, however, cannot do this alone. Meeting
this goal depends on having a willing partner in the federal government, as well
as a growing economy.
- incl. info on enhancements to the Ontario Child Benefit
(OCB), tax relief for families and individuals, a new youth opportunities strategy,
community hubs, Social Assistance rate increases and review of social assistance
"with the goal of removing barriers and increasing opportunity — with
a particular focus on people trying to move into employment from social assistance."
(Hmmmm - the terminology used here reminds me of the way Mike Harris used to describe
his hand-up-not-handout-USA-Jobs-First-style-Common-Sense-Revolution approach
- Gilles.)
- also incl. info on support for housing, Ontario's minimum
wage, a new Deprivation Index for Ontario, the Poverty Reduction Act, and initiatives
the McGuinty government has introduced since 2003-04 to support low-income families
and individuals
Source:
2009
Ontario Budget
[ Budget
Highlights ]
From the Government of Ontario:
Helping
Families In Need:
McGuinty Government To Increase Ontario Child Benefit And
Invest In Affordable Housing
March 20, 2009
Ontario is doing
more to support low income families facing challenging economic times. The government
is proposing to increase the Ontario Child Benefit this July, from $600 to a maximum
of $1,100 per child per year. The Ontario Child Benefit helps 1.3 million children
by giving moms and dads monthly support. Ontario is also planning to increase
its investment in social and affordable housing to create short-term jobs in construction
and renovation while improving the lives of people with low-incomes. Working with
the federal government, Ontario would renovate 50,000 social housing units and
build 4,500 new affordable housing units through a joint investment of $1.2 billion.
Source:
Newsroom - Ontario.ca
Ontario
Child Benefit (OCB)
The Ontario Child Benefit is financial support that low-income families
can receive to help provide for their children. It’s also the centrepiece
of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. About 465,000 families with
960,000 children receive a monthly Ontario Child Benefit payment each
month. That’s up to $50 per child each month, increasing to up to
$67 per child each month as of July 2009.
Source:
Ministry
of Children and Youth Services
***********
Related
links:
***********
Ontario
doubles payout for low-income children
Child benefit increases
to $1,100 yearly to ease the economic fallout
March 21, 2009
By
Tanya Talaga
The Ontario child benefit available to
low-income families will nearly double to $1,100 a year beginning in July, Premier
Dalton McGuinty said yesterday. The Liberals had planned
on increasing the monthly child benefit by 2011 as part of their anti-poverty
reduction strategy, but accelerated the payout to help families during the economic
downturn, he told a news conference at the Cabbagetown Youth Centre. The government
promised four months ago to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent in five years,
but said that federal funding and a strong economy were required to reach the
target. Anti-poverty advocates have been watching closely
to see whether the Liberals, facing a projected $18 billion deficit over two years,
will deliver. Yesterday's announcement increases the maximum child benefit to
$92 from $50 per child, per month. About 465,000 families with a total of 960,000
children receive a monthly payment, with the maximum annual benefit currently
$600. The maximum benefit is available to families earning less than $20,000 a
year.
Source:
The Toronto Star
Poverty
investments a good first start: 25 in 5
March 20, 2009
Commitments
made by Premier Dalton McGuinty today to invest in two important poverty reduction
initiatives bode well for all Ontarians, says the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction.
NOTE: the following links are copied from the above blog posting:
Media and community responses
to the Ontario Government announcement:
*
Low-income Ontarians, and provincial economy get welcome boost
from new investments - The Wellesley Institute
* Ontario
budget to boost child benefit, social housing funds - CBC.ca
*
Affordable housing
to get $1.2B boost - Toronto Star
* Ont.
speeds up increase in child benefit to July 1 - CTV.ca
*
Municipalities
Welcome $1.2 Billion Investment in Social Housing - Association of
Municipalities of Ontario
Source:
25 in 5 Network
for Poverty Reduction
Ontario
makes substantial
down payment on new provincial housing plan
March
20, 2009
By Michael Shapcott
Ontario has made a substantial down payment
to meet the housing needs of tens of thousands of people who are precariously
housed or homeless. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and housing minister Jim Watson
have announced plans today to invest $624.5 million over the next two years in
affordable housing initiatives. When combined with matching federal dollars, it
amounts to more than $1.2 billion. (...) Today’s provincial housing announcement
meets the first priority set out by the Wellesley Institute in our 2009 budget
recommendations to the Government of Ontario, which was to fully match federal
affordable housing dollars. But provincial housing investments still lag behind
the deep and persistent need across the province, and Ontario is lagging behind
provides such as Alberta [see below] in making commitments for urgently needed
new housing investments.
Source:
Wellesley
Institute Blog
[ Wellesley Institute
]
| Major
Milestones in Poverty Reduction in Ontario December 2008 By John Stapleton Brief overview of 10 significant poverty reduction initiatives in Ontario, from the First Upper Canada Statute in 1792 to the 2008 Poverty Reduction Strategy. Source: Open Policy (John Stapleton's website) |
From The Toronto Star:
What
Ontario has to do to fix the hole in welfare
March 18, 2009
By
Don Drummond (Chief Economist, TD Bank Financial Group)
and John Stapleton
(Metcalf Foundation Fellow)
Our welfare system provides Ontarians with a false
sense of security. Many assume it has been designed to offer temporary protection
to individuals who are ineligible for Employment Insurance, or no longer able
to participate in this program. But this so-called safety net has some large holes.
It does not catch all those it should. And the ones it does catch often become
entangled in the web, finding it difficult to get back out. In short, it has a
way of keeping the destitute down. (...) We have argued that the asset limits
for welfare eligibility need to be raised substantially. A particular aspect of
this is to exempt certain amounts in Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
and the new Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). The Ontario government has an opportunity
to do this in its March 26 budget. It would be an important step forward in its
poverty reduction strategy. (...) The end game is to provide temporary support
for individuals who lose their job and then help them get back into the labour
market as soon as possible, when the economy turns around. Under present welfare
rules we are destined to repeat the patterns of the past when too few are protected
and those who are become entangled. By creating a better future for those who
need it most, the government can help make sure we don’t repeat history.
Poverty
strategy belongs in budget
Editorial
March 17, 2009
When
Premier Dalton McGuinty committed to reduce poverty, just four months ago, his
plan spoke passionately about alleviating the suffering of families living in
poverty and, in doing so, improving the economic future for all Ontarians. The
need is even greater now. Yet, just days before the provincial budget that could
elevate the plan from nice words to concrete action, there are troubling signs
that the government is backing off...
Poverty
fight must continue
Timely investments will reduce poverty but also stimulate
local economies
March 17, 2009
By Sarah Blackstock, Pat Capponi
and Janet Gasparini
"(...)These are challenging economic times and, historically,
it has been during such dark moments that previous governments did the most for
the poor and the jobless. Abandoning the poor during an economic downturn is not
the kind of leadership Ontarians envision for their government. Now is not a time
for cold feet. It is a time for bold action.Now, more than ever, we turn to our
government to meet its commitment."
(Sarah Blackstock is a policy analyst
with the Income Security Advocacy Centre.
Pat Capponi is facilitator of Voices
From the Street. Janet Gasparini is chair of the Social
Planning Network of Ontario.)
[ See also : 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction ]
Economic
crisis could stall poverty plan, minister says
March
13, 2009
By Joanna Smith
OTTAWA–The economic crisis could disrupt an
Ontario government strategy to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent over the next
five years, provincial Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews said
yesterday. (...) The provincial government released its anti-poverty blueprint
– which aims to lift 90,000 Ontario children above the poverty line by 2014
– last December. Matthews says she has always been upfront about its dependence
on economic growth and co-operation from all three levels of government. Matthews
said worsened economic conditions could result in an interruption in implementing
the strategy but insisted the government can still succeed. "I am optimistic
we can achieve it and I can assure you that kids will be better off as a result
of this strategy regardless of the economy," she said.
---
Ontario
needs to step up and tackle social deficit
Ottawa gave province fiscal breathing
room but did little to help poor and unemployed
Opinion
March 4, 2009
By John Stapleton, Janet Gasparini and Neethan Shan
Two important questions faced Ontario's poverty reduction plan after its
December release:
- How much further would Ontario's economy deteriorate?
- What would the federal government do in its winter
budget to support Ontario's goal to reduce poverty by 25 per cent in the
next five years?
Well, we now have the answers. Ontario lost 71,000
of the 129,000 jobs lost in Canada in January 2009. And Ottawa intends
to do just about nothing at all about poverty. (...) It's
disappointing, to say the least, that the federal government chose to
ignore its important role in supporting provincial moves to reduce poverty.
But Ontario's finance minister still has plenty of options to demonstrate
his own government means business when it comes to reducing poverty. There
is no doubt that we live in difficult times and the economic parallels
to the Great Depression are striking. But unlike the 1930s, we do not
need to wait for years before we do something about it.
Put
Food in the Budget
March 3, 2009
By Brian Eng
Fighting poverty is the best medicine money can buy according to the Association
of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa). They partnering with the 25 in
5 Network for Poverty Reduction in an Ontario-wide campaign to urge the
Ontario government to add a Healthy Food Supplement to the Basic Needs
Allowance for all adult recipients of social assistance, as part of its
Spring 2009 budget. (...) alPHa’s 36 member public health units have
endorsed two separate resolutions since 2001 urging the Ontario Government
to set social assistance rates according to the true costs of basic needs.
The Put Food in the Budget campaign calls for the addition of a $100.00
Healthy Food Supplement to the Basic Needs Allowance as a down-payment
on closing the gap between social assistance incomes and the cost of healthy
eating. The campaign was launched on February 19 in Toronto by Toronto
Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown, with representatives from
the Stop Community Food Centre and the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction.
Comment found in:
Wellesley Institute Blog
[ Wellesley Institute ]
Source:
Association of Local Public Health
Agencies
We are a non-profit organization that provides leadership to boards of
health and public health units in Ontario. Our members include board of
health members of health units, medical and associate medical officers
of health, and senior public health managers.
Related links:
* Put
Food in the Budget campaign
* The Stop Community Food Centre
* 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
A
New Era In The Fight Against Poverty
Proposed Legislation Commits Ontario To
Long-Term Action
News Release
February 25, 2009
For the first-time
ever, Ontario has introduced poverty reduction legislation that, if passed, would
ensure that successive governments remain focused on the fight against poverty.
As part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, the
proposed Poverty Reduction Act would:
* Require successive governments to report
annually on key indicators of opportunity – these will typically include
income levels, school success, health care and housing.
* Mandate future governments
to consult widely before developing future strategies, including consultation
with those living in poverty.
* Require Ontario to develop a new strategy
at least every five years.
* Require future governments to set a specific
poverty reduction target every five years.
Source:
Ontario
Government tables The Poverty Reduction Act, 2009
February 25, 2009
-
incl. links to the complete Bill, the news release, background information, the
province's December 2008 poverty reduction strategy report and more...
Social
Assistance Rule Changes To Support Education And Employment
Fact Sheet,
February 25, 2009
The following changes to social assistance rules (taking
effect between March and May) are designed "to help recipients pursue educational
and employment opportunities and improve their lives and the lives of their children."
*
Enhancement of earnings exemptions rules for social assistance recipients who
are full-time post-secondary students.
* Enhancement of the Up-front Child
Care Benefit paid to social assistance recipients who are required to pay in advance
for child care costs when they begin or change jobs or work-related activities.
* The process of internal reviews regarding a decision made affecting clients'
assistance will be improved.
Related links:
Poverty
plan slammed as an empty gesture
February 26, 2009
By Tanya
Talaga and Laurie Monsebraaten
The provincial government's anti-poverty legislation
was hailed yesterday as a historic step forward, but one that critics said lacked
both direction and funds. The Liberals' long-anticipated bill to reduce child
poverty by 25 per cent in five years was derided by critics as being full of loopholes
and lacking direction when record numbers of people are using food banks.
Source:
The
Toronto Star
From the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction:
Poverty
reduction legislation positive;
budget action must follow: 25 in 5 Network
Toronto,
February 25, 2008
Making poverty reduction the law in Ontario is an important
step towards achieving a poverty free Ontario, says the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction. But government must take concrete next steps that extend poverty reduction
targets to all Ontarians over the next decade, and to make investments now to
meet its initial target. “Legislation is critical to ensuring that poverty
reduction becomes central to the Ontario government’s agenda. That’s
why we need to get it right from the beginning.” said Greg deGroot-Maggetti
of the Mennonite Central Committee. “We need a process to make sure the legislation
that gets enacted is as strong as possible to ensure ongoing progress toward a
poverty free Ontario, backed by broad public support and all-party endorsement.”
[ More... ]
A
Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in Ontario
A
Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in Ontario – the result
of consultations in 30 Ontario communities – lays out a plan that could reduce
the number of poor Ontarians by 197,420 (15 per cent) and reduce the number of
poor children in Ontario by 62,000 (19 per cent) within the next three years.
-
incl. links to the press release and the full blueprint.
Depression-era
hardship could await Ontarians
Press Release
February 12, 2009
TORONTO – Without government action, the lack of adequate income
security programs could plunge Ontarians suffering the worst of the current
recession into dire straits, says a report by the Canadian Centre for
Policy Alternatives (CCPA).Silence of the Lines: Poverty Reduction Strategies
and the Crash of 2008 shows how the economic downturn is already worse
than the Great Depression but predicts different results for Ontarians
who end up down on their luck.
Source:
Ontario Alternative Budget
[ Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives ]
Complete report:
The
Silence of the Lines:
Poverty reduction strategies and the crash of 2008
(PDF - 135K, 5 pages)
By John Stapleton
"(...) people who once could
successfully apply for welfare during a rough patch (along with all the people
turned away from EI) are going to be turned away at the welfare office. The reason
for this is that since the last major recession, governments have brought in four
significant sets of changes:
• Lower social assistance rates;
•
Much lower assets limits;
• Earning exemptions policies that do not apply
to new applicants; and
• ‘Workfare’ — now called ‘community
participation’.
The confluence of these four sets of changes has not been
tested in a recession but when the ‘new poor’ make a welfare application,
they will be turned down to live off lower paid jobs or their dwindling savings.
When they re-apply later on, they will be told that ‘any job is a good job’
and will be pointed in the direction of the relatively plentiful low paid jobs
that will be available.
Related link:
Open
Policy- John Stapleton's personal website
John is a Policy Fellow with
the Metcalf Foundation and St. Christopher House in Toronto.
A
Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in Ontario:
Blueprint
could help cut child poverty by 19%
News
Release
February 12, 2009
TORONTO – A report by the 25 in 5 Poverty
Reduction Network shows how the Ontario government could get three-quarters of
the way towards its goal to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent. A Blueprint for
Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in Ontario – the result of consultations
in 30 Ontario communities – lays out a plan that could reduce the number
of poor Ontarians by 197,420 (15 per cent) and reduce the number of poor children
in Ontario by 62,000 (19 per cent) within the next three years.
Complete report:
A
Blueprint for Economic Stimulus
and Poverty Reduction in Ontario
(PDF - 157K, 28 pages)
February 2009
* 25
in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
* Ontario
Federation of Labour (Sheila Block of the OFL wrote the report)
Related link:
Welfare
'stimulus' touted
February 12, 2009
By
Laurie Monsebraaten
If Premier Dalton McGuinty wants
to protect Ontario's faltering economy, he should give more money to people like
René Adams so she can buy her daughters healthy food and pay for swimming
lessons, poverty activists say. The Toronto single mother,
who volunteers at a local food bank while she looks for full-time work, says every
extra penny she receives goes back into the local economy. (...) In
addition to cutting poverty, putting money into the hands of those who need it
most is the best way to stimulate the economy at a time of global economic uncertainty,
says a report by the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. (...) The
proposed economic stimulus and poverty reduction package calls on Ontario to spend
$5 billion over the next two years to beef up welfare and other social supports
and build new child-care spaces and social housing units.
Source:
The
Toronto Star
Sick
and Tired of Being Sick and Tired:
Taking Action on Poverty, Poor Health and
Bad Jobs
February 9, 2009
Falling on the heels of the release
of Ontario’s landmark poverty reduction strategy, Sick and Tired paints a
grim picture of the health of the province’s poorest residents. This new
report from the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, University of Toronto’s
Social Assistance in the New Economy Project and the Wellesley Institute documents
the compromised health of social assistance recipients and the working poor in
Ontario. It includes practical and pragmatic recommendations to strengthen the
province’s poverty reduction plan, address the increased burden of ill health
among poor people in Ontario, and promote equitable access to health services
in Ontario. In addition, many of our recommended actions will promote much-needed
economic stimulus as an antidote to Ontario’s struggling economy and promote
cost savings in the health care system. This is a companion to our research, released
in December, which looks at the health status of poor people across Canada and
is called Poverty Is Making Us Sick (link below).
Partners:
* Wellesley
Institute
* Social
Assistance in the New Economy
* Community
Social Planning Council of Toronto
Complete report:
Sick
and Tired: The Compromised Health
of Social Assistance Recipients and the
Working Poor in Ontario (PDF - 5.3MB, 35 pages)
February 2009
Related links:
Poverty
is making us sick : A comprehensive survey
of income and health in Canada
(PDF - 522K, 39 pages)
By Ernie Lightman Ph.D, Andrew Mitchell and Beth Wilson
December
2008
Source:
Social
Assistance in the New Economy
From The Toronto Star:
Higher
welfare payments urged:
Report considers ways province can help solve chronic
health problems affecting poor Ontarians
February 9, 2009
By Laurie
Monsebraaten
Queen's Park should boost welfare payments and improve access
to disability assistance for Ontarians who can't work for health reasons as a
remedy for chronic health problems among the poor, according to a report produced
by the Community Social Planning Council, with the University of Toronto and the
Wellesley Institute. People on welfare are 10 times more likely to have attempted
suicide than those living on middle- or upper-incomes, notes the report, which
is to be released today.
The
poverty-health link
Editorial
February 10, 2009
Money may
not buy happiness, but it does do wonders for your health. A new study –
by the Community Social Planning Council, University of Toronto and the Wellesley
Institute – has drawn a direct link between poverty and ill health. Ontarians
on welfare suffer from diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, mood disorders and
other chronic ailments at up to four times the rate of middle- or upper-income
earners. Such findings are always disturbing, but given the current economic downturn,
there's even greater cause for concern over this study.
What's new from The Socialist Project:
Breaking
the Cycle or Going Around in Circles?
The Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy
January
3, 2009
By Peter Graefe
"(...)what should we make of the McGuinty strategy,
and of the 25in5 campaign around it? Is a strategy of positive engagement a wise
one for making gains, or will it only deliver thin gruel?"
Also from The Socialist Project:
Economic
Crisis and the Poor:
Probable Impacts, Prospects for Resistance
December
8, 2008
By John Clarke
Now that the crisis of the
financial markets has become a crisis of the 'real' economy, it is obvious that
those who already face poverty (or live on the edge of it) will be hit extraordinarily
hard in the days ahead. Over the last three decades, social programs that served
to partially redistribute wealth or limit the disciplinary power of unemployment
on the working class were massively reduced. With this 'social safety net' seriously
compromised, we can expect a rapid and deep process of impoverishment to take
effect as the downturn unfolds. The scale and severity of this will pose major
challenges but open up huge possibilities in terms of mobilizing poor communities.
Source:
The
Socialist Project
At a meeting in Toronto in the fall of 2000, some 750
activists responded to a call to “rebuild the left” by developing a
structured movement against capitalism. (...) The Socialist Project does not propose
an easy politics for defeating capitalism or claim a ready alternative to take
its place. We oppose capitalism out of necessity and support the resistance of
others out of solidarity. This resistance creates spaces of hope, and an activist
hope is the first step to discovering a new socialist politics.
Socialist Links - 200+ online resources for social activists!
Welfare
won't be much help
December 24, 2008
John
Stapleton
With the adoption of Breaking
the Cycle, Ontario plans to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent in five
years. It will be tough for the Ontario government to meet this commitment as
poverty usually increases during recessions and welfare caseloads grow. Poverty
and its attendant costs increase a lot in major recessions. Just like the Great
Depression, we started the present recession with a liquidity crisis, a debt bubble
and a crisis in confidence. By 1932, Ontario's relief expenditures had tripled
while old age pension costs had doubled. Governments are now bracing for a new
onslaught but we will not see these spectacular cost increases in the current
recession.
Source:
The Toronto Star
An
End to the Countdown: The Beginning of a 25 in 5 Poverty Reduction Strategy
December
16, 2008
1. Ontario turns corner on more than a decade
of poor bashing, says Pat Capponi
2. Poverty Plan Lays Foundation for Action,
Budget investments must be next step
3. TAKE ACTION: Investments key in the
2009 Ontario budget
4. Regulating Temp Agencies - Good News for Temp Workers,
says Workers Action Centre
5. Hardship of welfare getting harder, Ontario’s
welfare incomes falling behind
6. Red letter day for poverty reduction: selected
media and partner links
7. Thank you: More than 1,500 endorse 25 in 5 Declaration
for Poverty Reduction
Source:
Social
Planning Network of Ontario
Poverty
Reduction Strategy needed in Budget 2009
December 17, 2008
In
a letter to
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty (PDF - 207K, 4 pages), CPJ calls on
the government to present a "visionary stimulus package" as part of
the Federal Budget anticipated for January 27, 2009.
Vision
to Action: Canada Without Poverty
Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance
(PDF - 329K, 7 pages)
Pre-Budget Consultations
August, 2008
Source:
Citizens
for Public Justice
Provincial
Coalition calls for greater focus
on People with Disabilities as Poverty Plan
rolls out (Word file - 43K, 1 page)
December 5, 2008
While welcoming
the government’s poverty reduction strategy and its plan to review social
assistance, the ODSP Action Coalition encourages the government to include a greater
focus on people with disabilities. People with disabilities experience higher
rates of poverty than the general population. “I was disappointed when I
looked at the page of the government’s strategy that related to people with
disabilities and found no new supports to help me get out of poverty,” says
Terrie Meehan, an activist with the Coalition. The strategy indicates that the
government will be undertaking a review of social assistance, which includes the
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The Coalition would like to see the
review focus not only on supporting people to move from ODSP into the workforce
but also how to make the program easier to access and more responsive to the individual
needs of people with disabilities.
Source:
ODSP
Action Coalition
[ODSP = Ontario Disability Support
Program]
Ontario's
new anti-poverty plan at a glance
December
8, 2008
By Noor Javed, Tanya Talaga, Laurie Monsebraaten
A look at the expectations
and outcomes of key issues highlighted in Ontario's new anti-poverty plan.
-
includes what advocates wanted, what they got and the reaction in each of the
following areas : welfare - communities - employment - chid care
Source:
Toronto
Star
The
Economic Crisis Will Lead To A Social Assistance Crisis:
How Ontario's Poverty
Reduction Strategy Will Fail
December 5, 2008
The Poverty Reduction
Strategy announced this week has been scaled down from a “poverty reduction
strategy” to a “child poverty reduction strategy”. Single people
on welfare and disability will see no benefit whatsoever from the new plan. The
strategy claims it will reduce child poverty by 25% in 5 years but, people on
social assistance will continue to get poorer.
Source:
Ontario
Coalition Against Poverty
OCAP is a direct-action anti-poverty organization
based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We mount campaigns against regressive government
policies as they affect poor and working people.
Economic
Crisis and the Poor:
Probable Impacts, Prospects for Resistance
December
8, 2008
By John Clarke
In poor communities, this [current economic] crisis
comes after a long process of pushing them down during the decades of neoliberalism.
There is already anger and the realization that bad is going to get much worse
– and it will make large numbers of people look for answers. The issue is
to demonstrate in practical forms of organized resistance that these worsening
conditions are not unstoppable and inevitable. That is the starting point for
a movement that can respond to this crisis and pose a bold anti-capitalist vision
of what it is fighting for.
Source:
(Author John Clarke is with the Ontario
Coalition Against Poverty)
The Socialist
Project
At a meeting in Toronto in the fall of 2000, some 750 activists
responded to a call to “rebuild the left” by developing a structured
movement against capitalism. (About
this site)
On
December 4, 2008, the Government of Ontario committed itself to The
Strategy Paper: ------------------------------------------------------------- Bill
152, Poverty Reduction Act, 2009 What this Bill is About - Explanatory Note extracted from the Bill as introduced Second Reading copy: Bill
152 : An Act respecting a Source: |
Ontario
Sets Target To Reduce Child Poverty 25 Per Cent Over 5 Years
News
Release
December 4, 2008
- includes a backgrounder with more info and a
selection of reactions to the paper from individuals and organizations mostly
drawn from the Toronto social advocacy / social justice community, but also including
notable reviewers as the mayor of Toronto, Roy Romanow and Don Drummond (V-P of
TD Financial Group). Now THAT's buy-in.
Source:
Ontario
Newsroom [Hosted by CNW Group Ltd.
---
Related links from the Toronto Star:
'First
step' on poverty draws praise
December 5, 2008
By Laurie Monsebraaten
and Tanya Talaga
Anti-poverty activists are cheering Ontario's ambitious $1.4
billion plan to cut child poverty by 25 per cent in five years, but vow to ensure
the Liberal government lives up to its promise. "This is a fundamental first
step that should be applauded. We should say: Congratulations. Thank you. Now
let's get down to implementing it," said Toronto United Way President Frances
Lankin. That may be easier said than done...
Two cheers for anti-poverty
plan
Editorial
December 5, 2008
Ontario has taken a vital
step toward breaking that cycle with a focused poverty reduction strategy. Announced
yesterday, it seeks to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent within 5 years. That
mean 90,000 children and their families would escape poverty.Unfortunately, the
strategy is far too dependent on the willingness of Ottawa to contribute an additional
$1.5 billion a year to boost the federal child tax benefit and the working income
benefit.
Ontario
backs '25-in-5' poverty plan
Reduce child poverty
by one-quarter in five years
December 4, 2008
The
Ontario government will promise today to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent within
the next five years – a target activist groups say is critical to a meaningful
poverty strategy. The Liberal government, led by Children and Youth Minister Deb
Matthews, is expected this afternoon to deliver its much-anticipated strategy
on how to improve the lives of needy Ontarians.
Historic
day for poverty activists: Province to release poverty plan
December
3, 2008
By Carol Goar
As economic times darken and the poorest feel the
pinch, relief might be on the way with the introduction tomorrow of Ontario's
long-awaited poverty reduction plan. Tomorrow is the day poverty activists have
worked for, fought for and longed for. But it comes with a daunting challenge.
Nothing in the poverty reduction plan the Ontario government is set to unveil
will help the tens of thousands of Ontarians who are skimping on food, facing
eviction and staring at layoff notices right now.
Toronto Star War on Poverty Series
---
Related links from Poverty Watch Ontario:
Re.
welfare review:
"Today the government announced it will undertake a review
of social assistance with the goal of reducing barriers and increasing opportunity.
(...) As an initial step, signaling the direction of the government’s promised
social assistance review, the plan will immediately change three rules which function
as barriers for people on social assistance.
* First, the plan pledges to
fully exempt the earnings of any person on social assistance participating in
post-secondary education.
* The second change extends the upfront child care
benefits to allow parents to continue their participation in employment and employment
assistance activities.
* The third change is an extension of the time to request
internal reviews of social assistance decisions from ten to thirty days
Source:
25
in 5 Backgrounder
Poverty
Plan Lays Foundation For Action
December 4, 2008
"TORONTO
- Ontario is on track to becoming a leader in poverty reduction in a plan that
is not only crucial to the province’s economic recovery but is also the right
thing to do, says the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. (...)
- “Today,
Ontario is turning a corner on poverty,” says Pat Capponi of Voices from
the Street.
- “Today’s announcement signals an understanding that
poverty reduction is smart economics,” says Jacquie Maund, Campaign 2000
Ontario Coordinator.
- “Thousands of Ontarians asked for a plan with targets,
timelines and accountability. The government listened,” says 25 in 5 spokesperson
Cindy Wilkey.
- “We expect poverty reduction to become a central feature
in the next five provincial budgets - and the 25 in 5 Network will continue to
hold our government to its promise to make this plan a reality,” says Peter
Clutterbuck, executive director, Social Planning Network of Ontario.
How
does the government’s plan perform against the Five Tests?
25
in 5 Backgrounder on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Announcement
December
4, 2008
The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral coalition
of more than 350 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working
to eliminate poverty. In October 2008, the 25 in 5 Network produced Five Tests
for Success of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. See how the Ontario
plan matches up to each of the five tests.
Five
Tests For Success of the
Ontario Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
(PDF - 252K, 4 pages)
PDF file dated October 2008
Source:
Poverty
Watch Ontario ("To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity
on the poverty reduction agenda")
Poverty Watch Ontario is keeping
an eye on the provincial poverty reduction consultations and poverty reduction
events in Ontario.
Poverty Watch Ontario is a joint venture of Social
Planning Network of Ontario, Ontario
Campaign 2000, and the Income
Security Advocacy Centre.
Coalition
releases innovative plan to address housing poverty
[missing link]
News Release
November 17, 2008
TORONTO – A coalition
of private, public and non-profit housing associations, community organizations,
academics, and foundations released a proposal today for a new housing benefit
for low-income Ontarians. The proposal, outlined in A Housing Benefit for Ontario:
One Housing Solution for a Poverty Reduction Strategy, recommends a new income
benefit that will help low-income, working age renters with high shelter costs
in communities across Ontario. The proposal would add a necessary affordable housing
component to Ontario’s highly anticipated Poverty Reduction Strategy, expected
in December.
A
Housing Benefit for Ontario
One Housing Solution for a Poverty Reduction Strategy
(PDF - 255K, 30 pages)
November 2008
"(...)The proposed benefit pays
an average of $103 per month to an estimated 66,000 families and 129,000 individual
and couple households. The amount of the benefit is based on a formula that pays
75% of shelter costs between a floor and a ceiling that varies by community size.
The housing benefit is reduced as income rises."
Housing Benefit Summary (PDF - 57K, 2 pages)
Housing Benefit Q & A (PDF - 44K, 5 pages)
Source:
Proposal
submitted to the Province of Ontario by a coalition of industry and community
organizations:
Federation
of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario
Ontario
Non-Profit Housing Association
Greater Toronto Apartments Association (no
website found)
Metcalf Charitable
Foundation
Atkinson Charitable
Foundation
Daily Bread Food Bank
Countdown
to a Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) - 2 weeks to go
November
17, 2008
With 2 weeks until the December deadline, 25
in 5 goes on the road
1. Quote of the week: Too Much
Poverty, Too Few Solutions Letting Our Young People Down
2. Leadership in
Hard Times: 25 in 5 Network launches 22-city tour to promote poverty reduction
3. Three ways you can make a difference for poverty reduction, including DEADLINE
TODAY to appear before pre-budget consultations in Toronto
4. Governments
can use crisis to repair and rebuild infrastructure while fighting poverty, says
economist Armine Yalnizyan
5. Five provinces and counting on poverty reduction,
is Manitoba next?
Source:
Poverty
Watch Ontario
To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity on the poverty
reduction agenda
------------------------------------------------
Countdown
to a Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) 3 weeks until the December deadline
Three
weeks until the December deadline, three imperatives on why we must act
November
11, 2008
1. Quote of the week: everyone has a role to play, but government
must lead on poverty reduction, says Niagara Bishop
2. Why we must act now:
the social, political and economic imperatives for poverty reduction
3. Three
ways to make a difference between now and the December deadline
Source:
Poverty
Watch Ontario
To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity on the poverty
reduction agenda
Ontarians
Waiting For
Leadership On Poverty Reduction (PDF - 307K, 13 pages)
November
2008
By Trish Hennessy
"(...) Between September 24 and October 21,
2008 Environics Research conducted a national poll of 2,023 Canadians for the
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. This report represents the responses
provided by Ontarians, and it tells a story of economic worry and of resolve:
Ontarians say now is the time for governments to make us proud and take clear
steps to reduce poverty in our provinces."
Source:
Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives
Economic
woes might delay poverty agenda: McGuinty
September 16, 2008
GODERICH
— The economic slowdown that is hitting Ontario especially hard will likely
mean the province will have to delay its promised anti-poverty plan. Premier Dalton
McGuinty says the economy and its impact on the province's revenues and future
spending plans was a main topic at a Liberal caucus retreat in Goderich.
Source:
CTV
Toronto
Related link:
Economic
road bumps no excuse to slow down on poverty reduction
September
16, 2008
TORONTO - A coalition of over 100 organizations across Ontario (see
the next item below from Poverty Watch Ontario) are urging Premier Dalton McGuinty
to follow through on his promise to actively and comprehensively address poverty
in this province. "The threat of an economic downturn makes leadership on
poverty reduction more important than ever," said 25 in 5 spokesperson Jacquie
Maund, of Ontario Campaign 2000. "And it's a signal that we can't afford
to delay implementation of a plan."
Source:
CNW
Group (formerly Canada Newswire)
Poverty
Plan Needs Real Backbone, Ontarians Say
Media Release
September
8, 2008
TORONTO - If Ontario is going to seriously tackle poverty it must invest
in a comprehensive multi-year plan, not just a set of quick fixes. That’s
the message that government MPPs heard in more than 50 community consultations
on poverty reduction over the summer, according to a new report by the 25 in 5
Network for Poverty Reduction.
The report:
Summary
Report:
Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultations
(March-August 2008)
(PDF - 101K, 15 pages)
September 8, 2008
Source:
Poverty
Watch Ontario
Poverty Watch Ontario is a joint initiative of the Social
Planning Network of Ontario, Ontario Campaign 2000 and the Income Security Advocacy
Centre. These organizations have partnered since early 2008 to promote a cross-Ontario
community dialogue on a poverty reduction strategy for the province.
Related links:
25
in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based
organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. (...) We are asking
our government for a plan to reduce Ontario poverty levels by 25% in 5 years and
by 50% before 2018
Social
Planning Network of Ontario
The Social Planning Network of Ontario
(SPNO) is a coalition of social planning councils (SPC), community development
councils (CDC), resource centres, and planning committees located in various communities
throughout Ontario.
Ontario
Campaign 2000
Ontario Campaign 2000 is a provincial partner in Campaign
2000, with 66 member organizations across the province.
[ Campaign
2000 ]
Income
Security Advocacy Centre
The Income Security Advocacy Centre works
with and on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues of income
security and poverty.
From the Government of Ontario:
Cabinet
Committee on Poverty Reduction
"(...) Members will work to develop poverty indicators and
targets, and a focused strategy for reducing child poverty and lifting more
families out of poverty. The goal of this committee is to make progress
in the fight against poverty over the course of the government's four-year
mandate."
New from the Ontario Association of Food Banks:
Ontario's
Food Banks present plan to cut poverty in half by 2020
News
Release
August 19, 2008
The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) released
a new report today, entitled Our Choice for a Better Ontario, in response to a
call for submissions from the provincial government's Cabinet Committee on Poverty
Reduction. The report sets a goal of cutting poverty in half by 2020 through a
renewed investment by the federal and provincial governments.
Complete report:
| Our
Choice for a Better Ontario: A Plan to Cut Poverty in Half by 2020 (PDF - 1.4MB, 64 pages) August 2008 (PDF file date) "(...) Our challenge is great. Hunger and poverty disproportionately affects certain populations and places in Ontario. Ontario’s economy is also in a period of significant transition. Hundreds of thousands of Ontarians lack the basics of life, including food, shelter, and education. We believe that our universal goal must be to cut poverty in half by 2020, with a focus on reducing the deepest poverty. In order to meet this goal, we have established twelve supportive goals focusing on key sectors, people, and places. " - goals cover the following areas: * Housing * Education * Financial Inclusion * Employment & Enterprise * Energy * Health * Neighbourhoods and communities * New Canadians * Single parents * First Nations * Ontarians with Disabilities * Children Source: Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) is the umbrella organization for food banks across the province, representing over 100 members in communities across Ontario. |
Related link:
We
must spend to fight poverty: report
Low-fee credit unions for the
poor and a plan to help low-income households pay for heat and hydro are among
a broad series of initiatives needed to fight poverty in Ontario, say the province's
food banks in a report released recently. Cutting poverty in half by 2020 would
lift more than half a million Ontarians out of poverty and should be the McGuinty
government's "commitment of a generation," says the report by the Ontario
Association of Food Banks.
Source:
Sudbury
Star
September 2, 2008
-
Go to the Food Banks and Hunger Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/foodbkmrk.htm
New
Asset and Income policies to assist low-income adults under Ontario’s Poverty
Reduction Strategy NOTE : you'll find more TD Economics reports on the home page (the link in the previous line) Related link: Ontario
can help the poor save |
From the 2008 Ontario Budget (March 25, 2008):
Ontario
Poverty Reduction Strategy
The government’s Cabinet Committee
on Poverty Reduction, chaired by the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children
and Youth Services, will focus on expanding opportunities for those living in
poverty. It will develop a focused poverty reduction strategy with measures, indicators
and reasonable targets by the end of 2008. The Committee will review how best
to organize and align the current system of supports to ensure more effective
investment and more efficient administration. The government will work with communities
and other governments to expand opportunity for all Ontarians and reduce poverty
over the long term.
- includes info on the following early initiatives under
the Poverty Reduction Strategy : * Dental Care for Low-Income Families * Student
Nutrition Program * Parenting and Family Literacy Centres * Making Education More
Affordable
Source:
Budget
2008 Papers, Chapter 1, Section C:
A Better Future for Families: Improving
Quality of Life
- also includes info on : * Investing in Social Housing
* Asset-Building Strategy for Low-Income Ontarians * Increased Support for Social
Assistance * Minimum Wage * Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grants * Ontario
Property and Sales Tax Credits for Seniors * more...
Supporting
Families Receiving Social Assistance (chart and descriptive text)
"(...)
proposing to increase the basic adult allowance and maximum shelter allowance
by two per cent in 2008–09."
Source:
Ontario Ministry of Finance
From the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
Ontario:
'Poverty Reduction'? Reforming without Reforms in a Neoliberal World
by
John Clarke
June 30, 2008
"(...)Clearly, the present round of Ontario
Government consultations on poverty can't be wished away. It is dominating the
political landscape in Ontario at the moment. In OCAP, we deplore this fact but
have to recognize it. At present, we can only present our point of view and realize
that we are not able to transfer community energy from talking with Liberals to
mobilizing against them. However, there is one obvious limitation to the government's
consultation strategy. At a certain point, the talking has to stop and the results
of the process must be revealed. At that time, the striking lack of progress on
poverty reduction is going to hit people in the face."
Source:
Centre
for Global Research
The Centre for Research on Globalisation (CRG) is an
independent research and media group of writers, scholars, journalists and activists.
Based in Montreal, the CRG is a registered non profit organization in the province
of Quebec.
[ more Canadian content from CRG ]
Related link:
Ontario
Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
OCAP is a direct-action anti-poverty
organization based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We mount campaigns against regressive
government policies as they affect poor and working people.
[John Clarke, author
of the above article, is with OCAP.]
From the Income Security Advocacy Centre (Toronto):
Ending
Poverty in Ontario:
Building Capacity and Organizing for Change
A Workshop
for Engaging Low Income People (PDF - 980K, 116 pages)
Spring 2008
This manual has been developed to assist facilitators to hold community-based
workshops with low income people and other community members active in ending
poverty. The workshop is designed to encourage discussion about what is needed
to end poverty in Ontario, and to identify actions that can be taken within your
community. (...) Campaign 2000 and ISAC will be working with community partners
to deliver these workshops in Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Owen Sound,
Windsor, and Toronto, and will be producing a “Call to Action” report
at the end of 2008 for government and the community.
NOTE : On the ISAC
Resources page, you'll find links to the Word version of individual sections
of the manual, along with over three dozen more Public Education Materials, Policy
Papers and Legal Documents
Source:
A joint project of the Income
Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) and
Campaign
2000 (a cross-Canada public education movement to build Canadian awareness
and support for the 1989 all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty
in Canada by the year 2000.)
Make
your voice heard on Social Assistance (PDF - 36K, 2 pages)
- May
2008
Action
Alert: Poverty Reduction Consultations (Word file - 60K, 3 pages)
-
May 2008
Action
Alert:
Back-to-school and Winter Clothing allowances end in 2008
(Word file - 49K, 2 pages)
- May 2008
OW
and ODSP Recipients Should File 2007 Tax Returns (PDF - 32K, 1 page)
-
April 2008
Source:
The
Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)
ISAC was established in 2001
by Legal Aid Ontario to serve low income Ontarians by conducting test case and
Charter litigation relating to provincial and federal income security programs..
(...) ISAC's legal work takes place in the broader context of law reform, public
legal education and community development.
Related links:
25-in-5:
Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based
organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. We have organized
ourselves around the call for a Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty
in Ontario by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years.
Source:
Community
Social Planning Council of Toronto
From The Toronto Star:
Ontario
: 'Have
the guts to help,' poor tell the province
June 10, 2008
(...) Some 1.3 million Ontarians live in poverty and the Liberals
have promised to have a poverty-reduction strategy – and targets to measure
the government's progress – in place by year's end. Ontarians had their first
chance to publicly air their views on the government's plans at three meetings
yesterday across the city of Toronto attended by Liberal MPPs.
The
buzz about bee stings and the poor
June 7, 2008
Laurie Monsebraaten
A
provocative new book argues you can't do anything for yourself when you're being
swarmed by bees. It's just an analogy, but author and philosopher Charles Karelis's
take on poverty is a stinging refutation of generations of social policy.
Child
poverty crusade
Editorial
June 2, 2008
The late June Callwood
was a tireless activist who until her death last year fought and won many battles.
Her last great crusade was to eradicate child poverty in Canada. So it is fitting
that her birthday today has been declared June Callwood Children's Day in Ontario.
As Premier Dalton McGuinty sees it, we should take the opportunity "to commit
ourselves to action."
Gap
between passion and revenue
May 23, 2008
Carol Goar
Expectations
are running high. Revenues are running low. And Premier Dalton McGuinty has decreed
that there will be no deficit and no tax increases. Yet Deb Matthews, who heads
the cabinet committee drafting Ontario's poverty reduction strategy, is defiantly
sanguine
Determining
a deprivation index
Daily Bread Food Bank using survey to
develop 'economic strain' guide for poverty in Ontario
April 19, 2008
By
Laurie Monsebraaten
Defining
poverty
April 19, 2008
As the province grapples with that question,
the Star asked dozens of local experts. Here are their answers.
Definition
of poverty stalls federal committee
April 16, 2008
By Joanna
Smith
OTTAWA–The federal government should hurry up and define poverty
so it can move on to doing something about it, said witnesses at a parliamentary
committee laying the foundation for a national poverty strategy yesterday.
Getting
together to fight poverty
April 15, 2008
A disparate coalition
of more than 100 individuals and anti-poverty groups has done what many thought
was impossible by agreeing on the broad strokes of a poverty reduction strategy
for Ontario.
MPs
from all parties set to tackle poverty
Committee plans to look at Regent
Park's success with education program
April 4, 2008
By Richard Brennan
OTTAWA–A
parliamentary committee is setting out to establish the framework for a national
poverty strategy by meeting with groups and individuals across Canada already
doing their bit to help the poor. The Human Resources and Social Development Committee
decided yesterday it is high time for a plan, which would ultimately require federal
government approval, to tackle the growing problem.
Source:
War
on Poverty: Special Coverage
[ The Toronto
Star ]
Campaign
for poverty reduction building momentum
April 5, 2008
By Peter
Clutterbuck, Social Planning Network of Ontario
Sustaining employment. Livable
Incomes. Strong and supportive communities. When it comes to tackling poverty,
these are the core messages that are emerging from communities across Ontario.
The Social Planning Network of Ontario is currently traversing the province to
build support for a bold poverty reduction vision. Local social planning members
and community partners in 12 cities are bringing together Ontarians from all walks
of life to discuss the best way to move forward on an anti-poverty plan.
Source:
Social
Planning Network of Ontario
The Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO)
is a coalition of social planning councils (SPC), community development councils
(CDC), resource centres, and planning committees located in various communities
throughout Ontario. Each of the individual organizations has their own mandates
but are connected in the cause of effecting change on social policies, conditions,
and issues.
- incl. links to : * Home * News * Reports * Links * FAQs * About
Us * Contact Us
New
Measures to Tackle Poverty, Build Opportunity:
McGuinty Government Helps More
Low-Income Families Get Ahead
News Release
March 17, 2008
Ontario's
plan for a strong economy includes supporting low-income families so that everyone
can have the opportunity to succeed in the 21st century economy.
- The government
will invest $135 million over three years in a dental care plan for low-income
families. (...)
- The Student Nutrition Program will be doubled
with a three-year $32-million investment to expand existing services. (...)
-
repairs to about 4,000 affordable housing units - another $100 million
will be provided this year
Related Backgrounder:
McGuinty
Government Announces
Three Priority Programs To Kickstart Poverty Reduction
Strategy
March 17, 2008
- incl. more detailed info on the three
new/enhanced initiatives in the news release above.
Related links:
Income
Security Advocacy Centre's Response
to the Ontario Government's Poverty Announcement
(PDF file - 36K, 1 page)
Press Release
March 17, 2008
Premier’s
Poverty Reduction Announcement:
“A Good Start, but a Long Way to Go”
Toronto – Calling the Premier’s Poverty Reduction announcement “a
good start,” Mary Marrone, Director of Advocacy & Legal Services at ISAC,
said, “But they’ve got a long way to go.” The Income Security Advocacy
Centre is a specialized community legal clinic with a provincial mandate to improve
the income security of people living in Ontario through test case litigation,
policy advocacy and community organizing. The Premier’s office announced
funding for three priority programs this morning as a ‘kickstart’ to
a Poverty Reduction Strategy, expected by the end of 2008.
Source:
Income
Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)
Transcript
of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
January 21,
2008
Pre-budget consultations, including several presentations dealing with
the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy.
- incl. submissions by : HUGH MACKENZIE
* ONTARIO LONG TERM CARE ASSOCIATION * INCOME SECURITY ADVOCACY CENTRE * CANADIAN
BANKERS ASSOCIATION * MYCHOICE.CA * CAMPAIGN 2000 * WELLESLEY INSTITUTE * CANADIAN
FEDERATION OF STUDENTS-ONTARIO * ONTARIO NON-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATION * 25 IN
5: NETWORK FOR POVERTY REDUCTION *TORONTO AND YORK REGION LABOUR COUNCIL * more...
Report
of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATION
2008 (PDF - 2.4MB, 74 pages)
March 17, 2008
This report is an
overview of the main issues raised by presenters during the pre-Budget consultation.
From Campaign 2000:
Work
isn't working for Ontario Families
Poverty Reduction requires
a Jobs Strategy, says Campaign 2000
News alert
May 12, 2008
Toronto
– In the face of mounting evidence on the role of the labour market in family
poverty, today Campaign 2000, the coalition working to end child and family poverty,
joined with the Toronto & York Region Labour Council and the Canadian Labour
Congress (Ontario Region) to call for the inclusion of a good jobs strategy in
the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy. Their joint report, Work Isn’t
Working for Ontario Families: The Role of Good Jobs in Ontario’s Poverty
Reduction Strategy establishes that many Ontario parents cannot achieve financial
security for their families not because they can’t find work, but because
they can’t find a good job.
Complete report:
Work
Isn’t Working for Ontario Families:
The Role of Good Jobs in Ontario’s
Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF - 180K, 28 pages)
Media
release: Campaign 2000 comments on 2008 Ontario Budget
25 Mar 08
The anti-poverty coalition Campaign 2000 is encouraged to see the Ontario
2008 budget include a number of measures that reflect the Government’s commitment
to address poverty.
Media
release: Poverty Reduction Missing from Budget
26 Feb 08
The
federal budget passed up the chance to offer the almost 800,000 children living
in poverty in Canada a shot at a better life, says Campaign 2000, the national
coalition of over 120 partners working to end child and family poverty in Canada.
Media
release:Time for Initial Steps in Poverty Reduction Strategy
20
Jan 08
Campaign 2000 Calls for a Down Payment on Poverty Reduction in the 2008
Budget.
A
Poverty Plan for Ontario - from Ontario Campaign 2000
- includes links
to Ontario Campaign 2000's pre-budget submission to the Ontario Standing Committee
on Finance & Economic Affairs Pre-Budget Hearings(January 2008), the July
2007 discussion paper proposing a poverty reduction strategy for Ontario (see
the link immediately below) and the 2006 Report card on child and family poverty
in Ontario (plus links to child and family poverty reports for earlier years).
A
poverty reduction strategy for Ontario (PDF file - 396K, 14 pages)
July
2007
"This discussion paper outlines what a Poverty Reduction Strategy
for Ontario should look like, based on lessons learned from success in the United
Kingdom and other jurisdictions. It identifies indicators for measuring poverty,
targets and timelines for poverty reduction, and outlines the key components of
an action plan."
Source:
Ontario
Campaign 2000
- includes links to many more poverty reduction papers from
Ontario Campaign 2000.
25-in-5:
Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based
organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. We have organized
ourselves around the call for a Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty
in Ontario by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years.
25-in-5 Resources - links to websites and reports (local, provincial, national and international) on the subject of poverty reduction
Source:
Community
Social Planning Council of Toronto
War
on Poverty |
Time
for a Fair Deal: Report of the Task Force on
Modernizing Income Security for
Working-Age Adults (PDF file - 282K, 67 pages)
May 2006
Recommended
income security reforms for Canada and Ontario:
- Reform Employment Insurance
to address the significant decline in coverage of the unemployed and the related
decline in access to employment supports and training.
- Create a new refundable
tax benefit consisting of a basic tax credit for all low-income working-age adults
and a working income supplement for low-income wage earners.
- Create a new
national disability income support program for persons whose disabilities are
so substantial that they are unlikely to enter the paid labour force.
- Increase
the National Child Benefit to an adequate level.
- Establish an independent
provincial body, with representation from labour and employers, to recommend periodic
increases to the minimum wage and monitor the employment and economic effects.
- Implement an integrated child benefit platform for all low-income parents
with children that pays benefits outside the social assistance system.
- Provide
basic health (prescription drugs and vision care) and dental coverage to low-income
workers.
Source:
Task
Force on Modernizing Income Security for Working Age Adults ("MISWAA")
MISWAA
was formed in the fall of 2004 by the Toronto City Summit Alliance, a broad-based
coalition of civic leaders in the Toronto region, and by St. Christopher House,
a multi-service neighbourhood centre that works with low-income people in Toronto.
The Task Force is a diverse group made-up of over fifty experts and leaders from
major employers, policy institutes, labour unions, academia, community organizations,
advocacy groups, foundations and governments, as well as individuals with first-hand
knowledge of income security programs.
- Go to the Ontario Government Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/onbkmrk.htm
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
Manitoba's Anti-Poverty Strategy |
|
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The links below are, for the most part, organized in reverse chronological
order, with the most recent additions at the top.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
From
All ABoard (Manitoba's Poverty Reduction Strategy):
Province
invests $950 million this year in All Aboard Poverty Reduction Strategy
More Than 560 Organizations, Individuals Helping Guide Priorities: Irvin-Ross,
Mackintosh
April 9, 2010
The province is committing $950 million this year to fighting poverty and
promoting opportunities for low-income Manitobans including more than 30
new initiatives and program enhancements, Housing and Community Development
Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross and Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister
Gord Mackintosh announced today. (...) The province set its priorities for
program enhancements and new initiatives under ALL Aboard based on research
and discussion with stakeholders and individuals living in poverty, the
minister said. At the top of the list are housing, getting Manitobans off
welfare, more child care and building awareness of existing supports.
---
Twenty-nine
new child-care sites, 3500 more spaces funded since launch of Family Choices
five-year strategy: Mackintosh, Allan
Up to $19-million Investment this Year Includes Phased Launch of Online
Wait List, Worker Pension Plan
April 9, 2010
The province is investing up to $19 million more in Budget 2010 for new
child-care centres, hundreds more spaces, the phasing in of a centralized
online wait list and a pension plan for a stronger workforce, Family Services
and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Education Minister Nancy
Allan announced today. (...) Today’s announcement is part of the province’s
ALL Aboard poverty reduction strategy.
---
Minimum
wage to increase to $9.50 per hour Oct. 1
Province Balancing Needs of 28,000 Minimum Wage Earners with Needs of Manitoba
Businesses: Howard
April 8, 2010
The province will increase the minimum wage by 50 cents to $9.50 an hour
on Oct. 1, Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard announced today.
(...) The minimum wage rate last increased by 25 cents to $9 per hour on
Oct. 1, 2009, following an additional 25-cent increase on May 1, 2009. (...)
With this increase to the minimum wage, Manitoba will maintain its position
near the middle of Canadian rates. Regular increases to the minimum wage
are an important factor in reducing poverty and are part of ALL Aboard,
Manitoba’s poverty reduction strategy, said the minister.
Budget 2010 enhances supports for post-secondary students
New $7.5-million Early Advance on Tuition Rebate to Assist Students Still
in School, When They Need it the Most: McGifford
April 8, 2010
Manitoba continues to offer some of the most affordable, accessible and
high-quality post-secondary education in the country by introducing a new
student grant, improving Manitoba’s bursaries and providing earlier
access to the province’s tuition rebate program, putting an extra estimated
$7.5 million back into students’ pockets annually, Advanced Education
and Literacy Minister Diane McGifford announced today.
April 8, 2010
Rent
supplement for Manitobans
with mental health issues expanded to entire province
ALL
Aboard: 2010-11 Highlights (Word [.doc] file - 39K, 1 page)
April 2010
* Safe, Affordable Housing in Supportive Communities
* Education, Jobs and Income Support
* Strong, Healthy Families
* Accessible, Co-ordinated Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From CBC Manitoba:
Not
Enough Money
Baby food or a bus pass? A TV or a telephone?
About 100,000 Manitobans make these decisions every day. They live below
the poverty line. Some are the poorest of the poor in the country. Who
they are and where they live will surprise you.
From March 22-26 (2010), CBC Television, Radio
and cbc.ca will explore why so many Manitobans struggle with poverty and
how they survive with Not Enough Money.
------------------------------------------------
NOTE: if you click the link above and scroll to the bottom of the page that
opens, you'll find "Poverty by Area", a map of the City of Winnipeg
showing family income by neighbourhood throughout the city. I *should* say
"...a map of Winnipeg that's SUPPOSED to show family income by neighbourhood..."
because that's what a Geographic
Information System can do, according to Wikipedia. The Winnipeg map
on the Not Enough Money page should be called "How NOT to do a GIS
Map."
------------------------------------------------
Making
Ends Meet
You don't have much money, but you do have a lot of choices.
Live
Chat: Who's accountable?
A round table on poverty.
March 26, 2010
Fighting
poverty
What stakeholders and anti-poverty activists say.
Measuring
Poverty
Who's to say I am poor?
Looking at the three low-income measures.
Profiles
* Newcomers
- Refugees have a particularly hard time making ends meet.
* Single
Parents - Single parents are poorer than their married counterparts.
* The
Working Poor - You can work and still be poor.
* The
Disabled - Earn about $10,000 a year less than those without a disability.
* Seniors
- For many older Manitobans on fixed incomes the "golden years"
aren't exactly brilliant.
* Aboriginal
people - Manitoba has the largest per capita Aboriginal population
in Canada.
Source:
CBC Manitoba
- Go to the Manitoba Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/mbkmrk.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
statistics misleading
By
Harvey Stevens
December 5, 2009
The recently released November 2009 Manitoba
Child and Family Poverty Report Card 2009 (PDF - 458K, 25 pages) states that
"Manitoba is once again the Child Poverty Capital of Canada, tied with British
Columbia for having the highest number of citizens under the age of 18 living
in poverty." It goes on to show how Manitoba has held that highest ranking
for eight of the last 19 years and second highest ranking for an additional five
of those years. Unfortunately, these are very misleading statistics which are
extremely unfair to Manitoba because they are based on a faulty yardstick -- the
pre-tax low income cutoffs (LICOs) developed by Statistics Canada more 40 years
ago.
Source:
Winnipeg Free
[
Harvey Stevens is a retired civil servant who worked for 18 years as a senior
policy analyst with Family Services and Housing. His area of expertise is poverty
measurement and income assistance policy. He tried championing the use of the
MBM for setting welfare rates while in government but was unsuccessful. ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20
Years Lost: The Poverty Generation
Manitoba
Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF
- 458K, 25 pages)
November 2009
All of the children living in poverty in
Manitoba today were born since the members of the House of Commons passed the
resolution to eliminate child poverty in 1989. (...) In Manitoba, 47,000 children
live in poverty. That’s 18.8 per cent of all children, nearly one in five.
Manitoba is once again the Child Poverty Capital of Canada, tied with British
Columbia for having the highest number of citizens under the age of 18 living
in poverty. That’s almost four percentage points above the national average.
Source:
Social
Planning Council of Winnipeg
One
is too many (PDF - 75K, 2 pages)
Media Release
November 24,
2009
Winnipeg Manitoba—a report released today by the Social Planning
Council of Winnipeg (SPC) shows that Manitoba has regained the title of Child
Poverty Capital of Canada, with nearly 1 in 5 children living in poverty.
Related
link:
Campaign 2000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg:
Consensus
growing to fight poverty
By
Harry Finnigan
October 16, 2009
According to Statistics Canada, in 2006
15.7 per cent of Winnipeggers were living in poverty. That translates into almost
100,000 people in Winnipeg being affected every day by not having enough to eat,
a proper place to sleep, nor the freedom to live their lives with dignity. For
people younger than 18, the percentage is even higher -- 21 per cent fall below
the Low Income Cutoff indicator. Though we are no longer known as "the child
poverty capital of Canada," those numbers are still cause for alarm as too
often it is the children who are the victims of poverty.
Source:
Winnipeg
Free Press
Related link:
Winnipeg
Poverty Reduction Council
The mission of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction
Council is to significantly reduce poverty in Winnipeg in hopes of creating A
City Where Everyone Belongs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All
Aboard Manitoba’s Poverty Train (PDF - 47K, 10 pages)
By Sherri
Torjman, Ken Battle and Michael Mendelson
September 2009
This report summarizes
the core elements of the newly-introduced poverty reduction strategy in Manitoba
. Announced on May 21, 2009, All
Aboard represents an annual investment of $744 million, including $212 million
in new funding. To tackle the numerous factors that create and sustain poverty,
the province is investing in four clusters of intervention: safe affordable housing;
education, jobs and income support; strong and healthy families; and coordinated
programs and services. The strategy has several elements of success: It is a whole-of-government
approach rather than the effort of a single department. It invests in recognized
pathways out of poverty and engages partners outside government in the diverse
interventions. The strategy provides direct (albeit modest) payments to households
with children to boost their incomes immediately. All Aboard includes a process
to coordinate its many components and monitor its impact.
Source:
Caledon
Institute of Social Policy
The Caledon Institute
of Social Policy does rigorous, high-quality research and analysis; seeks to inform
and influence public opinion and to foster public discussion on poverty and social
policy; and develops and promotes concrete, practicable proposals for the reform
of social programs at all levels of government and of social benefits provided
by employers and the voluntary sector.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From
the
Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives:
Manitoba’s
poverty reduction plan:
All Aboard – Destination Unknown
(PDF - 500K, 2 pages)
June 22, 2009
On May 21st, the Manitoba government
released All Aboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The 8-page glossy
document outlines some solid “values and guiding principles” that provide
a foundation for a plan, as well as a list of initiatives that the NDP government
has introduced since first elected in 1999. (...) However, All Aboard falls seriously
short as a comprehensive plan and their “strategy” will be meaningless
without a clear destination and a map to get there. The
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba recently released The view
from here: Manitobans call for a poverty reduction plan. Our plan, developed
in collaboration with Make Poverty History Manitoba and others brings together
several years of research and consultation with individuals and community organizations
directly involved with Manitoba’s most vulnerable citizens. Over 70 organizations
representing thousands of Manitobans have now endorsed The view from here
and more continue to sign on. (...) Our plan is comprehensive, and most importantly
it outlines timelines and targets that, if implemented within the context of a
legislated framework, would hold governments, present and future, accountable
to ensuring that poverty is significantly reduced. But the Doer government has
been consistently resistant to setting timelines and targets and they appear unlikely
to pass supporting legislation.
Related links from CCPA:
The
view from here:
Manitobans call for a poverty reduction plan
(PDF - 1.9MB, 76 pages)
June 2009 (file dated May 21)
This report looks
at the emergence of poverty reduction plans in other jurisdictions; it outlines
the essential components of a meaningful poverty reduction plan; it makes the
case for a made in Manitoba poverty reduction plan; it includes the latest poverty
statistics for Manitoba; it proposes indicators with targets and timelines to
measure progress; and it outlines a large package of policies and programs that
should be at the heart of a comprehensive poverty reduction plan, highlighting
items for immediate action.
Research
for Communities:
The view from here – Manitobans call for a poverty reduction
plan - PDF File, 177K, 4 pages)
Spring 2009
This booklet offers
information about elsewhere in Canada, what should be included in a poverty reduction
plan for Manitoba, common elements of successful poverty reduction programs, etc.
Source:
Manitoba
Office - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
[ More
publications from CCPA-Manitoba ]
[ Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives - National Office ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
May
25, 2009
New resource from the
Canadian
Council on Social Development:
Manitoba:
Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Manitoba (PDF - 371K, 34 pages)
By Tom Carter and Chesya Polevychok, University of Winnipeg
Source:
Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs
Social Development Report Series, 2009
[
Canadian Council on Social Development ]
Also from CCSD :
Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages)
By
David I. Hay, Information Partnership
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A
Poverty Reduction Plan in Manitoba
The government of Manitoba has come
up with a plan to reduce poverty in the province. But the plan doesn't commit
to specific timelines and targets to reduce poverty, nor does it ask for significant
input from community groups or those most affected by poverty.
Source:
Make
Poverty History
$212
million to battle poverty
Province to place greater emphasis on housing needs
May
22, 2009
WINNIPEG — After years of sniping from left-wing critics that
it has done too little to fight poverty, the Doer government fired back Thursday
with a new "comprehensive" strategy that brought kudos from social agencies
and business leaders alike. The province announced it has earmarked $212 million
in new funding this year for bricks-and-mortar projects, as well as programming
for low-income Manitobans.
It also signalled a change in how it deals with
people with mental-health issues and addictions, placing greater emphasis on housing.
The "housing first" approach means the government will try to put a
roof over a person's head before offering other supports.
Source:
Winnipeg
Free Press
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
and Social Exclusion
Solving Complex Issues through Comprehensive Approaches
(PDF - 249K, 4 pages)
September 2008
* Definitions of social exclusion
*
Government strategies to address poverty and social exclusion (Europe - Canada
- Newfoundland and Labrador - Québec - Ontario)
* Common features of
poverty and social exclusion strategies (targets - timelines - citizen consultations
- action plans/strategies - accountability and reporting - evaluation of progress)
*
Why Manitoba needs a Strategy
Source:
Manitoba
Office - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
[ More
publications from CCPA-Manitoba ]
[ Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives - National Office ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United
Way commends province for new measures to reduce poverty
May 22,
2009
United Way of Winnipeg is thrilled with a new provincial strategy to reduce
poverty, announced May 21, 2009.
(...) Among the organizations acting in conjunction
with ALL Aboard is the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction
Council.
United Way of Winnipeg is founder of, and provides office
space and technical assistance to the council.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill
226 - The Social Inclusion and Anti-Poverty Act (Blog entry) |
------------------------------------------
Province
acknowledges progress in fight on poverty, but there is more to do: Mackintosh
$4.3
Million to Support Manitobans to Move Into Jobs, Increase Shelter Welfare Rates
May
6, 2008
"(...) Adding to the $27.6-million commitment made last year,
the extra $4.3 million in new Rewarding Work initiatives will help people with
disabilities, single parents and other low-income people"...
- includes
the following:
* Effective 07/08, increases to shelter rates and rooming house
rates directly from the Manitoba Shelter Benefit (see the link below)
* Effective
11/08, Rewarding Work Rent Allowance, a $50-per-month benefit to help non-disabled
single adults and couples without children pay their rent after they leave welfare
for work.
* Effective 02/09, Get Started! - a one-time benefit (ranging from
$175 to $325, depending on the case classification) will be paid to people who
leave welfare for work to help them pay for costs related to starting a new job.
*
Effective 12/08, the Rewarding Work Health Plan will be provided to single parents
and persons with disabilities who leave welfare for work; it extends coverage
for prescription drugs and dental and optical services for up to two full years
after people leave assistance.
(...)
Rewarding
Work is part of the province’s anti-poverty strategy
[bolding added], which includes Family Choices, Housing First and HOMEWorks,
substantially increased education funding, increases to the minimum wage and other
related measures to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the growing economy."
Rewarding
Work
Manitoba’s Rewarding Work is a four-year Manitoba strategy
to address poverty by giving people hope and dignity through employment. Rewarding
Work programs will provide benefits to low-income working families. They will
also help Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) [welfare] participants move from
EIA to work by increasing the advantages of employment over EIA.
Recommended reading:
Year
One Investments
- Rewarding Work investments in 2007/08 are helping
low-income Manitobans in three areas:
(incl. links to more detailed info on
the various initiatives)
* Helping low-income families (Manitoba Child Benefit,
Manitoba Child Care Program)
* Supporting people to move from welfare to work
(enhanced work incentives in the EIA program, new job seekers' allowance, a new
training and education policy to help Manitobans on EIA find permanent work, job
preparation, minimum wage subsidy for employers who hire and train people on EIA,
allowances for work-related costs for all employed EIA clients, mentorship program
for youth
* Improving benefits and services for persons with disabilities (marketAbilities,
marketAbilities fund, marketAbilities team, personal attendant community education
program, Sara Riel Inc. work placement force program, increase in financial assistance
from Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (IAPD)living in the community,
doubling of the EIA liquid asset exemptions for EIA clients with a disability
Year
Two
In the second year of the strategy, Rewarding Work will focus
on assisting people to prepare for and make a smooth transition from income assistance
to work.
Examples include an 18% shelter rate increase for non-disabled single
adults receiving EIA (starting 07/08), a monthly rent top-up for up to one year
(starting 11-08) for non-disabled single adults and childless couples who leave
income assistance for work and live in private rent, new one-time work startup
allowance (starting 02/09), drug, dental and optical benefits to be extended (starting
12/08) for 24 months (up from 12 months), and more to come...
Manitoba
Shelter Benefit (MSB)
The Manitoba Shelter Benefit (MSB) is a monthly
benefit to help low income seniors, families, and persons with disabilities pay
their rent. The benefit replaces the current Shelter Assistance for Elderly Renters
(SAFER) and Shelter Assistance for Family Renters (SAFFR) programs.
The MSB
helps three groups of people:
* families
* seniors
* persons with a
disability
---
Province
Fights Poverty With Jobs: Ministers
October 17, 2007
Rewarding
Work Invests $4.75 Million To Remove Barriers to Employment
Four new programs
to get Manitobans off welfare and into work under the Rewarding Work strategy
were announced today by Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh and
Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Jim Rondeau.
Source:
Family
Services and Housing
Competitiveness,
Training and Trade
Related links:
Backgrounder
(Word file - 35K, 1 page)
October 17, 2007
---
Rewarding
Work
Last April ['07], the province announced Rewarding Work, a four-year,
$27-million plan to bring down barriers to employment and help Manitobans on employment
and income assistance find employment. The program complements other poverty-fighting
measures announced in the last budget including tax changes that benefits 6,000
low-income Manitobans and an enhanced property credit of $125 a year for working
low-income renters and homeowners. Other supports for low-income Manitobans include
a minimum wage increase to $8 per hour last April and lower child-care costs.
`REWARDING
WORK' TO HELP LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES,
AND MOVE MORE MANITOBANS FROM WELFARE
TO WORK: MACKINTOSH
New Child Benefit, Lower-cost Child Care, Stronger
Work Incentives, And Skills Package in 10-point Reconstruction of Income Supports
News
Release
April 10, 2007
Filling thousands of job vacancies and increasing
family prosperity are the objectives of a ground-breaking, four-year action plan
to move Manitobans from welfare to work, Family Services and Housing Minister
Gord Mackintosh announced today. “Manitobans should always be better off
working than on welfare. Yet in getting a job, too often you lose. Benefits are
reduced for child allowances, child care, drug, dental and optical coverage, which
makes work less attractive,” said Mackintosh. “We must dismantle this
welfare wall.”
Backgrounder:
Rewarding Work - Gateway To Opportunities (PDF file - 21K, 3 pages)
Source:
Province
of Manitoba
Related link:
Reducing
Poverty in Manitoba (PDF file - 134K, 17 pages)
Budget Paper
E
Source:
Manitoba
Budget 2007 (April 4, 2007)
Google
Search Results Links - always current results!
Using the following
search terms (without the quote marks):
"Manitoba, "Rewarding Work",
welfare"
Web search results page
News search results page
Blog
Search Results page
NOTE: the Blog Search Results page had zero results
as at April 11 (early morning).
However, because these are dynamic links,
the results will vary depending on when you access the above links for all three
types of search results pages
Source:
Google.ca
---
Child
poverty rate in Manitoba remains too high: Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
(November 26, 2007)
Source:
CBC
Campaign
2000 Report on Child and Family Poverty in Canada
Main page - includes
links to both the French and English media releases and reports, as well as links
to national report cards for previous years and for selected Canadian provinces.
[
Campaign 2000 ]
November
26, 2007
Anti-poverty
initiatives to help Manitobans help themselves : Mackintosh
New Manitoba
Child Benefit, Stronger Work Incentive New Job-Seekers' Allowance Announced
Under
Rewarding Work, a four-year action plan to move Manitobans from welfare
to work, three new measures effective Jan. 1, 2008, include:
· A stronger
work incentive allowance will help to ensure people are better off working and
keep more of their earnings. Earnings exemptions for 4,200 Manitobans on assistance
will almost double so workers can keep $200 of net monthly earnings plus 30 per
cent of net monthly earnings over $200. Under the existing program, participants
can keep up to $115 and 25 per cent of earnings above that amount, depending on
their case category.
· A new $11-million Manitoba child benefit will
ensure parents will not lose all support for their children when moving off welfare.
Up to 33,000 families with children will benefit. This means an initial gain for
low-income, working families of up to $420 tax free each year for every child.
Monthly payments will begin in January 2008. For a single parent of three children
working full or part time and earning $15,000 or less, this totals $1,260 with
partial benefits for parents who earn $15,000 to $20,000.
· A new job-seekers’
allowance will help single, non-disabled adults and childless couples who actively
participate in an employment plan. Effective January 2008, the allowance program
will provide $25 per month to participants, assisting 3,900 recipients through
an annual investment of $1.17 million.
Source:
Manitoba
Family Services and Housing
Related link from the CBC:
Manitoba
increases welfare shelter rates
May 6, 2008
For the first time
in 15 years, Manitoba is raising the shelter rates it gives to adults on social
assistance.
- the same news release includes: * Health benefits extended *
Poverty rates dropping, says government
"(...) The total number of Manitobans
living in poverty fell to 11.4 per cent in 2006 from 14.9 per cent in 1999.
Still,
Manitoba has the third-highest ranking in the country for poverty."
Source:
CBC
News
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reducing
Poverty in Manitoba (PDF - 134K, 17 pages)
April 2007
Budget
2007 introduces “Rewarding Work” – a new four-year plan to refocus
the low-income support system to help more people gain employment and higher incomes.
This new plan focuses on enhancing opportunities for education and training, expanding
employment, making work pay for families, easing the transition from welfare to
work and helping people retain jobs.
Source:
Manitoba
Budget 2007
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
Saskatchewan poverty reduction policies |
May
25, 2009 Saskatchewan: Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
Saskatchewan
Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF
- 239K, 8 pages)
November 2009
* 35,000 Children in Poverty in Saskatchewan
*
No Consistent Improvement Over Time
* Comparing Three Measures of Poverty
*
Third Highest Provincial Child Poverty Rate
* 45% of Aboriginal Children in
Low-Income Families
* More than One in Three Immigrant Children Poor
*
40% of Children in Female Lone-parent Families in Poverty
* Families Deeply
in Poverty
* Saskatchewan Child Poverty Often Long Term
* One in Three Poor
Children in Families with Full Employment
* Government Transfers Benefit Children
*
Growing Gap Between Rich and Poor
* Child Poverty Rate High by International
Standards
* Poverty Measures
Source:
Social
Policy Research Unit
[ Faculty
of Social Work ]
[ University of Regina
]
Related link
Campaign
2000
|
Alberta |
[The links below are in reverse chronological order, with the most recent addition at the top.]
A
made-in-Alberta child-tax benefit would reduce cost of poverty
Investment in poor would pay dividends to society, economy
By John Kolkman*
March 16, 2010
Alberta has experienced a modest drop in child and family poverty in recent
years due to a strong economy and some reinvestment in social programs.
Yet the 2006 federal census, taken at the height of the economic boom, found
that 77,595 Alberta children (over one in 10) continued to live in poverty.
Moreover, even these modest gains will be put at risk if the Alberta government
makes the wrong choices in its upcoming budget. The government of Alberta
should consider investing in a refundable child-tax benefit for low and
modest income Alberta families. Alberta would thereby join several other
provinces that have their own child-tax benefits to supplement federal child
tax benefits.
Source:
Edmonton Journal
[ * John Kolkman is research and policy analysis
co-ordinator at the Edmonton
Social Planning Council]
Related links:
Child and
Family Benefits
- includes links to info about the following programs:
* Canada Child Tax Benefit
* Universal Child Care Benefit
* Goods and Services Tax / Harmonized Sales Tax Credit
* Working Income Tax Benefit
* National Child Benefit Supplement
* Child Disability Benefit
* Provincial and territorial programs
* MORE...
Source:
Canada Revenue Agency
We
Must Do Better: Alberta Report on Recent Forums in the Province
(PDF - 2.1MB, 20 pages)
November 2009
During 2009, nearly 400 people came together at seven forums around Alberta
to share experiences and thoughts about economic poverty. The Edmonton Social
Planning Council and Public Interest Alberta helped organize the forums
around the 2008 “We Can Do Better” report.
[ Highlights
(PDF file - 58K, 2 pages)]
We
Can Do Better: Toward an Alberta Child & Family Poverty Reduction Strategy
(PDF - 2.1MB, 20 pages)
November 2008
We Can Do Better outlines the most
current statistics on child and family poverty in Alberta & offers solutions
that would allow us to do better for our most vulnerable children and families.
It's
Time to Make Alberta Poverty-Free:
Albertans Call on Governments to Work Together
to
Establish a Poverty Elimination Strategy
Media Release
November
24, 2009
A provincial network of people and organizations is calling upon the
provincial, federal and municipal governments to work together with community
organizations and others to develop a plan to eliminate poverty in Alberta.
Source:
Public Interest Alberta
Edmonton
Social Planning Council
Related
link:
Campaign
2000
---
From Calgary's Poverty Talks (antipoverty coalition):
Action
Plan to Eliminate Poverty in Calgary (PDF - 2MB, 4 pages)
September
2009
On September 18, 2009, a coalition of community organizations in Calgary
called "Poverty Talks" released a local Action to Plan to Eliminate
Poverty. The plan is the result of a series of consultations with hundreds of
low-income Calgarians over the past 18 months. It provides a street-level view
of what needs to be done to end poverty as defined by those who are living in
poverty, rather than by social workers, academics and politicians.
[ News
Release - September 18 ]
Source:
Poverty Talks
- no website as
such, but see:
* Poverty
Talks Facebook page (current)
* Poverty
Talks Blog (not updated since fall 2008)
Poverty Talks is the project
of a Calgary-based non-profit coalition seeking to raise awareness of poverty
~ especially as an electoral issue ~ and to advance and support the democratic
engagement of low-income Calgarians. So, we invite you to take this report, talk
to politicians and decision makers, and become an influence for change.
Why?
Because poverty can happen to anyone. And ending poverty benefits us all.
Related link from Poverty Talks:
Detailed
Action Plan to Eliminate Poverty in Calgary (Word file - 210K, 23 pages)
In
over 45 community meetings between 2008 and 2010, several hundred people answered
the following questions: As a low income person, what would make a difference
in your life? and What would you like to see changed? This report outlines what
low-income Calgarians and people living in poverty say we need to achieve to make
our city and province a good place to live for everyone. Never before has there
been such a need for an all-round poverty reduction plan and strategy to tackle
the problem. The goal of Poverty Talks is to raise awareness of poverty issues,
especially in the electoral process, and to advance and support the democratic
engagement of low-income Calgarians. Each section of the report starts with a
"We said" section which includes some of the words and/or ideas from
the project participants. These are followed by recommendations based on participants’
ideas.
Related external links:
Women
Together Ending poverty (WTEP)
We are a Calgary-based diverse group
of women working together to educate ourselves and other women about the root
causes of poverty and to empower ourselves and other women to take action against
poverty.
- incl. links to:
* Welcome * Our Principles * Our Platform * Our
Regular Activities * Our Current Focus * Past Events * Future Events * Videos
* Poverty Talks * Our Contact Info * Links
---
From Vibrant Communities Calgary:
* Cost
of Living Factsheet - August 2009 (PDF - 1.2MB, 4 pages)
* Poverty
Fact Sheet - August 2009 (PDF - 653K, 2 pages)
* Living
Wage Fact Sheet - August 2009 (PDF - 1.8MB, 4 pages)
Source:
Vibrant
Communities Calgary
Vibrant is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively,
with various stakeholders and partners, seeking to engage Calgarians and to advocate
for long-term strategies that address the root causes of poverty in Calgary.
[
Vibrant
Resources ]
---
Vibrant
Communities - Calgary
(from the Tamarack
Institute for Community Engagement)
- incl. * Calgary's Approach * Update
* Contact Info * Key Documents
Source:
Vibrant
Communities
Vibrant Communities is a community-driven effort to reduce
poverty in Canada by creating partnerships that make use of our most valuable
assets – people, organizations, businesses and governments. It’s a unique
approach to poverty reduction that allows communities to learn from — and
help — each other. Vibrant Communities links communities across Canada, from
British Columbia to Newfoundland, in a collective effort to test the most effective
ways to reduce poverty at the grassroots level.
The
Vibrant Communities partnership includes the following communities from across
Canada:
* Abbotsford * Calgary * Edmonton * Hamilton * Montreal * Saint John
* St. John's * Surrey * Trois-Rivières * Victoria * Waterloo * Winnipeg
[ Learn more about Vibrant
Communities ]
[ Tamarack
Institute for Community Engagement:
Tamarack exists to build vibrant and
engaged communities in Canada. Our work will result in more collaborative approaches
and less poverty. ]
---
May
25, 2009 Alberta: Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
---
Poverty
Reduction Coalition
In 2004, United Way of Calgary and Area formed
the Sustained Poverty Reduction Initiative to leverage people, resources and influence
to reduce the causes and effects of poverty. The initiative was later renamed
Poverty Reduction Coalition [ 2007
Backgrounder (PDF - 52K, 2 pages), and it is a community collaborative supported
by United Way of Calgary and Area.
NOTE: this site hasn't been updated since late 2008,
but it contains some interesting Calgary-focused reports going back
a few years that are worth checking out...
---
Community
& Neighbourhood Services --- [City
of Calgary]
"Community Strategies supports fledgling community issues
and initiatives, works with The City of Calgary's not-for-profit partners and
provides research, planning and marketing for community vitality and protection-related
services at The City."
[ Publications,
Guides & Directories ]
---
Alberta
poverty strategy sought
April 21, 2009
Canada’s richest
province, Alberta, is trailing behind others in reducing poverty, says an advocacy
group that wants to create a provincial strategy. “We think Alberta, of all
provinces, should be a leader in this,” said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, executive
director of Public Interest Alberta. The independent public advocacy group is
planning meetings across the province — starting with a forum in Red Deer
on April 29 — to examine what can be done to give more Albertans the tools
to succeed.
Source:
Red Deer
Advocate
[ See Public Interest Alberta
]
---
We
can do better : Toward an Alberta Child Poverty Reduction
Strategy for Children
and Families (PDF - 2.9MB, 20 pages)
November 2008
Source:
Edmonton
Social Planning Council (ESPC)
[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]
|
British Columbia |
|
______________________________
The remaining BC links appear
below in reverse chronological order.
______________________________
Action
needed on child poverty
Editorial
June 22, 2010
The political reaction to the latest child poverty statistics was predictably
disheartening. The government's public affairs bureau quickly sent out a
news release headlined "Child poverty rate continues its decline,"
which failed to include the fact that B.C. still has the highest child poverty
rate in the country. The New Democrats followed with a news release headlined
"Reality Check: B.C. ranks highest in Canada for child poverty,"
which didn't note the province had made progress between 2007 and 2008.
Politics as usual. But surely some issues call for a less partisan approach
-- from the government side, an acknowledgment that far too many children
live in poverty, from the Opposition, a recognition that progress has been
made. The situation in B.C. remains grim. About one in 10 B.C. children
lived in poverty in 2008. Statistics Canada reported B.C. has had the worst
child poverty rate among provinces for seven straight years. And the number
of children living in poverty today is almost certainly higher, given the
economic downturn. (...) The most obvious first step
is to develop a plan to reduce child poverty, rather than relying on a series
of ad hoc measures or hoping broad economic growth will lift families out
of poverty. Six other provinces have done that, introducing detailed plans
with specific targets, actions and deadlines. They ensure accountability
and a co-ordinated effort across government, rather than leaving ministries
to act -- or not act -- in isolation.
The B.C. government has refused to take that first
step.
Source:
Victoria Times Colonist
Related links:
From the
British Columbia Ministry
of Children and Family Development:
Child
Poverty Continues its Decline
Factsheet
June 17, 2010
VICTORIA –
Statistics Canada released figures (June 2010) showing that child poverty
levels in BC have declined for the fifth year in a row and are now at a
nearly 30-year record low for the province:
· Child Poverty in B.C. has declined for the fifth year in a row,
according to figures released today by Statistics Canada.
· The most recently-released child poverty rate is 10.4 per cent.
That is a 20 per cent decline from 13 per cent the year previous and a 46
per cent drop since 2003.
· The child poverty level (LICO after tax) is now at its lowest level
since 1980.
· The child poverty rate in B.C. fell by 46 per cent between 2003
and 2008.
· Provincially, the median after tax income for families for two
or more people rose 5.7 per cent in B.C.
---
From BC
New Democrats*
(Official Opposition):
REALITY
CHECK:
B.C. Ranks Highest in Canada for Child Poverty
News Release
June 17, 2010
Today the B.C. Liberals are saying they’re proud
of new child poverty figures from Statistics Canada.
But a closer look at the numbers reveals that B.C.
continues to have the highest child poverty rate in the country, for the
seventh year in a row. As the Statistics Canada figures
show, more than one in ten B.C. children live in poverty.
[ * BC New Democrats? What happened
to "New Democratic Party"? More re-branding, I guess...]
------------------------------------------------------------------
Poverty
ideas abound --- will is the issue
By Les Leyne
May 27, 2010
Expectations rose so high so fast after a legislature committee agreed to
hold a public meeting on poverty that the chair felt the need to dampen
the anticipation. Liberal MLA Joan McIntyre told participants at a day-long
thinkfest last Friday that the session was just to foster awareness. "I
wanted to also clarify that developing a strategy or even providing a written
analysis does go beyond our terms of reference and crosses over into the
realm of government policy-making," she said.
(...)
Steve Kerstetter, a researcher for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives,
told MLAs: "If the goal is to redirect other money to fight poverty,
it's just not going to work. There's just not enough money you can redirect
that's going to make a difference." By one estimate, there's a $2-billion
poverty gap that needs to be filled by society as a whole, he said. And
government redistribution just won't get it done.
Source:
Victoria Times-Colonist
---
Twenty
Years Later - A Second Look (PDF - 15K, 2 pages)
January
11, 2010
This is the first in a series of monthly reports by First Call: BC
Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition on child poverty in British Columbia. The series
is a continuing call to the BC government to start getting serious about fighting
child and family poverty. The provincial government has spent the last several
years trying to explain away the poverty statistics.
The latest shots came
on November 24 on the government web site:
[ http://www.gov.bc.ca/fortherecord/childpoverty/cp_poverty.html
]
None of the figures were incorrect, but they gave the misleading impression
that BC is a leader in fighting poverty.
The technique is what statisticians
call “cherry picking,” using selected figures that seem to reinforce
the argument you’re trying to make...
Source:
First
Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
First Call is a cross-sectoral,
non-partisan coalition of provincial and regional organizations, engaged communities
and individuals whose aim is to raise public awareness and mobilize communities
around the importance of public policy and social investments that support the
well-being of children, youth and families. First Call
grew out of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. When Canada ratified
that Convention in 1991, its advocates gathered in a National Conference and agreed
that it is time to give children a first call on our resources and on our advocacy
efforts. The BC representatives were drawn from a variety of sectors: education,
health, justice, social services, and others.
Related links:
British
Columbia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 886K, 23 pages)
November 2009
- includes nine fact sheets that analyze various aspects
of child poverty in BC. and Measures of Poverty (Appendix)
Source:
First
Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
Campaign
2000
Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public
education movement to build Canadian awareness and support for the 1989 all-party
House of Commons resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. Campaign
2000 began in 1991 out of concern about the lack of government progress in addressing
child poverty. Campaign 2000 is non-partisan in urging all Canadian elected officials
to keep their promise to Canada's children.
---
British
Columbia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 886K, 23 pages)
November 2009
The BC Child Poverty Report Card includes nine fact sheets
that analyze various aspects of child poverty in BC.:
1. BC Had the Worst Record
– Six Years in a Row
2. Child Poverty Over the Years
3. Child Poverty
by Family Type
4. Persistence of Poverty
5. Child Poverty and Working
Parents
6. Families with Children on Welfare
7. I ncomes of Families with
Children
8. Child Poverty and the Importance of Government Help
9. What
Needs to Happen
Melanie’s Story – The Human Face of Child Poverty
Appendix
: Measures of Poverty
Source:
First
Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
Relate link:
Campaign
2000
BC
Child poverty rate still the worst in Canada:
when will the provincial government
take action? (PDF - 79K, 2 pages)
News Release
November 24,
2009
For six years in a row, British Columbia has had the highest child poverty
rate in Canada tied only with Manitoba in 2007. Figures released today by First
Call, the BC partner in Campaign 2000, show BC at a rate of 18.8 percent of children
living in poverty in 2007. The Canadian average in that same year was 15 percent.
Sign
the petition for a
BC Poverty Reduction Plan
Source:
BC
Poverty Reduction
May
25, 2009 British Columbia:
Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
From the BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:
The
Time is Now
A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC (video slideshow)
by
Goh Iromoto, Shannon Daub & Seth Klein
March 27, 2009
Poverty
Amid Plenty:
A Slideshow About Welfare in BC (video slideshow)
by
Goh Iromoto, Shannon Daub & Seth Klein
March 27, 2009
Source:
BC
Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (BC-CCPA)
[ CCPA
National Office ]
The
time is now for a legislated poverty reduction plan:
200
organizations and community leaders to BC political parties
News Release
February
5, 2009
(Vancouver) Two hundred organizations from across the province joined
together today in a call for all-party support for a legislated BC poverty reduction
plan.
The 200 groups are signatories to an open letter released today calling
on all political parties to commit that, if elected in May, they will implement
a comprehensive poverty reduction plan that includes:
*
Legislated targets and timelines to reduce BC’s poverty rate by one third
within four years, and end street homelessness within two years; and,
* Policy
actions in seven key areas that would end deep poverty, improve conditions for
the working poor, and focus on groups that are most vulnerable to poverty.
BC
Poverty Reduction (home page)
On February
5, 2009, more than 200 organizations and community leaders joined together to
call on all BC political parties to commit to a comprehensive, legislated poverty
reduction plan. This groundswell of concern about BC’s unacceptably high
levels of poverty and homelessness comes from many different communities in BC.
It comes from all regions of the province, and from faith leaders, health organizations,
doctors, businesses, First Nations and Aboriginal groups, labour unions, immigrant
and refugee organizations, community service agencies, municipal councils, women’s
groups, and many more.
- scroll to the bottom section of the home page to see
the list of organizations (and some individuals who are partners in and supporters
of this initiative.
Recommended targets and timelines:
*
Using Statistics Canada’s low-income cut off after tax (LICO-AT), reduce
BC’s poverty rate from 13 per cent to 9 per cent in four years, and to 3
per cent in ten years (meaning, effectively, a one third reduction within the
mandate of the next government, and a 75 per cent reduction within a decade).
* Ensure the poverty rate (using the LICO-AT) for children, lone-mother households,
single senior women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and recent immigrants
likewise declines by 30 per cent in four years, and by 75 per cent in ten years,
in recognition that poverty is concentrated in these populations.
* Within
two years, ensure that every British Columbian has an income that reaches at least
75 per cent of the poverty line (using the LICO-AT).
* Within two years, ensure
no one has to sleep outside, and end all homelessness within eight years (ensuring
all homeless people have good quality, appropriate housing)
A
Poverty Reduction Plan for BC "(...) Five provinces in Canada have either adopted poverty-reduction plans, or are in the process of developing them. With the highest poverty rates in Canada, now is the time for BC to set clear goals, with concrete targets and a system of transparency. That way, the public can measure the results, even when the government changes hands." Related links: Poverty
reduction commitment needed from all BC political parties BC
Poverty Poll Results: British Columbians Want Action (PDF - 63K, 1
page) Source: Related link: Premier
says B.C. making progress but still has 'long way to go' on helping
children in need |
Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut |
Yukon
Social
Inclusion Strategy to Address Poverty Issues
News Release
October 14, 2009
WHITEHORSE – Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart announced
today the development of a social inclusion strategy for the territory.
“A social inclusion strategy is a significant advancement in social
policy in Yukon. Social inclusion ensures that services target those in
need and are accessible for all members of society,” Hart said. “Social
inclusion is a measure of any government on how it deals with those citizens
in need of support.”
(...) There will be four phases in developing the strategy:
• Creating a collaborative process.
• Collecting data and consulting.
• Developing a strategy to address priorities from the data and consultations.
• Reviewing and reporting annually.
Source:
Yukon Health and Social Services
May
25, 2009 Northwest Territories: Nunavut Yukon: Source: Also from CCSD : Poverty
Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages) |
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