Put Food in the Budget

Ontario makes progress on poverty reduction, but job still unfinished
March 26, 2009 |

Today’s budget took crucial steps to bring Ontario closer to the goal of reducing poverty by 25% by 2013. But the budget needed to go further to help low-income individuals and families get by in current tough economic times, said the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction.

“This budget has moved the bar forward on housing, tax credits, and child benefits in ways that will make a tangible difference in the lives of many Ontarians. But there are still significant gaps that must continue to be addressed in the year ahead,” said Pat Capponi, Facilitator of Voices From the Street.
Tagged with: Blueprint • Put Food in the Budget • Social Assistance
Welfare’s lousy diet
February 23, 2009 | Toronto Star

“When people don’t have enough money to buy healthy food, they get sick,” says Toronto’s medical officer of health, David McKeown. “It’s that simple.”
Tagged with: Put Food in the Budget • Social Assistance
Food supplement ‘can’t wait’
February 20, 2009 | Toronto Star

The call for the Ontario government to introduce a $100 healthy food supplement for all adults on social assistance is getting louder. Dr. David McKeown, the man in charge of Toronto’s public health, says proper nutrition is a key way to prevent disease and keep people healthy.
Tagged with: Put Food in the Budget

$45M dental-care boost protects poorest children
October 1, 2010
Ontario 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, 2010
Ontario 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, 2010
ARCH 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, 2010
A 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, 2010
One 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.

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.

25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
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

Put Food in the Budget

Ontario makes progress on poverty reduction, but job still unfinished

Welfare’s lousy diet

Food supplement ‘can’t wait’