The next provincial budget is expected on March 26, and it could not come at a more critical time.
A budget that resolves to stave off the worst of a recession while protecting the most vulnerable will make an immediate difference in the lives of all Ontarians – and will safe-guard the health of the province’s economy for years to come.
Now is the time to tell our elected representatives at Queen’s Park that poverty reduction must be a priority for Ontario’s upcoming budget.
The 25 in5 Network has identified five immediate spending priorities – along with a series of other initiatives, outlined in the 25 in 5 Blueprint:
- A $100 monthly Healthy Food Supplement to help all adults on social assistance access healthier food;
- An increase to the Ontario Child Benefit to $92 a month in 2009 budget and $125 a month in 2010 budget to protect Ontarians during the economic downturn;
- Building 7,500 new affordable child care spaces, crucial to supporting parents who need to work and retrain for the demands of a changing economy;
- Leveraging federal infrastructure dollars to build more affordable housing;
- A Housing Benefit to help low-income renters meet the rising cost of housing.
By making these investments in the upcoming budget, the province can stimulate the economy while making significant progress on the government’s promise to reduce child poverty by 25% in the next 5 years.
Send a message to Finance Minister Dwight Duncan and Premier McGuinty. Tell them that making good on the province’s commitment to invest in poverty reduction is key to addressing the economic challenges facing Ontario today. Let your voice be heard.
Email the Finance Minister at dduncan.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org and the Premier at dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org. Also email your local Member of Provincial Parliament – find out their contact information by looking here.
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