News
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Progress Made on Child Poverty: All Parties Must Work Together to Meet the Goal, Advocates Urge
TORONTO, ON (December 5, 2011) – Ontario must redouble its efforts in order to meet its commitment to reduce child poverty by 25% by 2013, says a new report by the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction.
Common Ground: A Strategy for Moving Forward on Poverty Reduction, tracks the government’s progress at the third anniversary of the Province’s poverty reduction promise. The report shows that while some progress has been made, it’s critical that all three parties work together to lift 90,000 Ontario children out of poverty by 2013. The report also identifies ten areas of common ground that emerged across parties during the 2011 election campaign, and urges government to work with the opposition parties to take action on these commitments right away.
“The commitment to poverty reduction expressed across party lines during the election campaign shows that there is common political will to take action here,” said Greg DeGroot-Maggetti of the Mennonite Central Committee. “A minority parliament must not be seen as an impediment to taking bold action to tackle poverty in this province.”
The 25 in 5 report finds that since 2008, a combination of good policies and government investment have had a positive impact – child poverty in Ontario has dropped slightly, as compared with significant increases in child poverty in provinces where no action was taken. By contrast, adult poverty rates continued to climb in the absence of strong government commitments. More can and must be done.
“Given the slow recovery from the recession and growing income inequality, now is not the time for the provincial government to sit on its laurels,” said Mike Creek, of Voices From the Street and chair of 25 in 5. “Targeted action is urgently needed, including expanding poverty reduction targets to include adults – especially singles – and addressing equity for groups more at risk of poverty, particularly at this time of fiscal restraint.”
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Press Release- Political Parties Called to Act on Poverty: Political Commitments Grid Released
Political Parties Called to Act on Poverty: Political Commitments Grid Released
Toronto, September 27, 2011 –Ontario’s political parties offer limited solutions to child and family poverty that should be of priority this election, a new report from Ontario Campaign 2000 has found.
The “Political Commitment Grid” released today by Ontario Campaign 2000 evaluates each of Ontario’s four major political parties’ plans on poverty reduction and eradication. Most party platforms mention poverty reduction strategies, but some parties still fail to make extensive commitments on critical issues that affect people living on low income and in poverty.
“All political parties committed…
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25 in 5 Urges Four Priorities for Action in 2011 Budget
Putting poverty reduction on hold during an economic slowdown only makes income inequality worse – and inequality had already reached new heights before the global recession weakened Ontario’s economy.
The economy is on the mend, but recovery remains fragile. The threat of Ontario dipping back into a slowdown is very real. Ontario faces a serious challenge in creating a healthy economy sustained by good paying, secure, equitably accessible jobs to replace the hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs lost in the last decade.
To make Ontario a prosperous jurisdiction in a competitive global context will take a substantial investment by the public for the public. Ontario will pay a steep price if we take a political road that favours some Ontarians while leaving others behind. We will pay a steep price if we allow a generation of formidable minds to waste away on the sidelines.
In the coming budget, Ontarians are looking to their provincial government to implement and fund smart policies that achieve four core goals during this next period of economic recovery.
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25 in 5 Welcomes Social Assistance Review; Recommends Interim Steps
TORONTO -The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction welcomes the news that Ontario’s long awaited Social Assistance review will start in January and be led by two very able commissioners: Frances Lankin and Dr. Munir Sheikh.
“We’re very pleased with the broad terms of reference for this review. It will provide recommendations not only on how to transform social assistance but on how it should connect to other income security programs that many of us need to rely on at some point in our lives, such as disability support programs and Employment Insurance,” said Jacquie Maund, Coordinator of Ontario Campaign 2000.
“This is the right thing to do for poverty reduction and for a strong Ontario economy. We want everyone to be able to achieve their full potential to contribute to our economy and society. Our income security system needs to be re-equipped to respond to economic pressures and support people through rough times – it’s not doing that now. ”
The broad terms of reference for the review of social assistance show that the Ontario government listened to the advice of the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council. They reflect the call for revamped income security programs to ensure that people receiving social assistance can live in dignity and be provided the supports and opportunities they need to move into the workforce if they are able to work.
“We are pleased with the choice of commissioners, Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh. These are people with integrity who know the value of listening to the community and developing policy recommendations based on solid evidence. We encourage them to hear directly from people who are on the Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Programs about the changes needed,” said Mike Creek, Co- Chair of 25 in 5.
This review will start in January and continue for 18 months. It will be supported by a commission of civil servants and poverty advisors. “An 18 month review gives the commissioners time to do the job right – but that should not stop the government from taking interim measures to respond to people’s immediate needs. People across Ontario are struggling now to survive on extremely low social assistance rates. A single person receives only $592/month. The 25 in 5 Network is calling for an immediate increase of $100 a month for adults on social assistance,” said Jacquie Maund. “We also urge the Government to move forward on creating an Ontario Housing Benefit.”
Government also announced that it is looking to the 2008 Special Diets Expert Review Panel’s report to improve the Special Diet allowance Program as an interim measure until the Social Assistance Review is complete.
“We see the Government’s decision to include the Special Diet Allowance in the broader Social Assistance Review as a positive step,” says Mike Creek.
The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction is a coalition that is endorsed by 1500 groups and individuals from across Ontario committed to a strong and effective Ontario poverty reduction plan. www.25in5.ca
Media Contact:
Jacquie Maund, Coordinator, Ontario Campaign 2000
416-595-9230 ext. 241Mike Creek, Co-Chair, 25in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
416-697-4808 -
Poverty reduction key to economic recovery
In this, the second annual report of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction, we continue to track the progress of the Ontario government in meeting its poverty reduction commitments.
Poverty reduction is a commitment we make to each other, to ensuring that individuals and families across Ontario are able to recover from economic and social misfortunes. It is also a commitment that all parties in the legislature made to all Ontarians.
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You’re Invited – Monday November 29
Join us for a Community Briefing and 2011 Provincial Budget and Election Strategy Discussion
Monday, November 29th
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Church of the Holy Trinity
10 Trinity Square, Toronto (near the Eaton Centre)
25 in 5 will release our second annual report – “Building A Resilient Ontario: From Poverty Reduction to Economic Opportunity”. The report tracks the progress of the Ontario government in meeting its poverty reduction commitments.
The South entrance to the church is wheelchair accessible and there are accessible facilities on the main floor. Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP to Mary Micallef at (416) 351-0095 x…
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Submission to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and the Minister of Community and Social Services
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on your deliberations about the creation of a new Ontario Nutritional Supplement Program.
Given the complexity of the issues and constraints facing government on the Special Diet Allowance/Nutritional Supplement Program, our recommendation is that Ontario integrate its deliberations and a decision about this program into the upcoming Social Assistance Review.
- $45M dental-care boost protects poorest children
October 1, 2010Ontario is expanding free dental services for poor children to include preventative care such as check-ups, cleanings, X-rays and fillings, the Star has learned.
Health Minister Deb Matthews will announce Friday that the “healthy smiles” program — costing taxpayers $45 million annually — is designed to help 130,000 kids aged 17 and under.
- Big bang for full-day learning buck
August 30, 2010Ontario is missing out on a significant economic payoff by offering a scaled-down version of full-day learning this fall, says a report being released Monday. A new economic analysis of the initiative outlined by the premier’s early learning adviser last spring shows an immediate return of $2.02 for every dollar invested in operations and $1.47 for every dollar spent on new classrooms, says the report, obtained by the Star.
- Funding shortages for home services are staggering
August 27, 2010ARCH Disability Law Centre, dedicated to advancing the rights of people with disabilities, says its campaign was prompted by “an alarming and growing trend of adults with intellectual disabilities being unable to afford vital supports that would facilitate their development, independence and participation in the community. “This crisis is growing and we need your help,” ARCH says.
- Radical change for Ont. mental health urged
August 26, 2010A new report says a “radical transformation” of mental health and addiction care is needed in Ontario if people are to receive the help they need.
- Windsor area food bank use spikes, paycheques shrink, report finds
August 24, 2010One in 10 Windsor-Essex families live in poverty, causing a huge jump in demand at local food banks and lineups for social assistance, according to a new United Way report.
- 25 in 5 Supports Call for Income Security Review
- Message to Deb Matthews: Nutritional Supplement Must Address Needs
- Five Principles for a New Nutritional Supplement Program
- Premier McGuinty Responds to 25 in 5
- Open Letter to Premier McGuinty from the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
- Budget throws Ontario’s poor in limbo
- Budget 2010 Must Link “Open Ontario” to Poverty Reduction
- Poverty reduction key to economic recovery
In this, the second annual report of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction, we continue to track the progress of the Ontario government in meeting its poverty reduction commitments.
Poverty reduction is a commitment we make to each other, to ensuring that individuals and families across Ontario are able to recover from economic and social misfortunes. It is also a commitment that all parties in the legislature made to all Ontarians.
c/o CSPC-T
2 Carlton St., Suite 1001 | Toronto, ON M5B 1J3
ph. 416-351-0095 x.214 | fx. 416-351-0107
info@25in5.ca