Ontario is a wealthy province, yet the latest child and family poverty data illustrate that not all Ontarians start from an equal place. According to the latest tax filer data, 19.5% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty (Census Family Low Income Measure After Tax). The percentage of children in marginalized families who live in poverty increases dramatically due to systemic barriers: one in two children of immigrants, one in four racialized children, and one in three Indigenous children.  Significant levels of child and family poverty are present in each and every riding across Ontario. Families in Ontario need a strong social safety net to escape poverty. The Ontario government has the opportunity to drive down poverty rates through the 2019 budget by investing in key areas to support work becoming a pathway out poverty, access to child care, improved income security and affordable housing.

Read Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Campaign 2000 and partner Dignity for All are collecting signatures for an open letter that will be sent to Minister Jean-Yves Duclos in mid-February. The letter provides concrete recommendations to strengthen Bill C-87, An Act respecting the reduction of poverty. It also urges Canada to commit to ending poverty by 2030 to align with the United Nations’ first Sustainable Development Goal.

We urge all concerned individuals and organizations across Canada to read and sign this Open Letter by February 6, 2019.  Please visit the Dignity for All website for a list of recommendations and to read the full letter.

Our recommendations include aligning with, and explicitly referencing, Canada’s international human rights obligations; ensuring that Canada’s official poverty line genuinely reflects the experiences of poverty in Canada, especially as faced by those in marginalized groups; and ensuring that the National Advisory Council on Poverty provides an effective accountability mechanism for those living in poverty.

This legislation provides Canada the historic opportunity to be a global leader in human rights and to commit to a country free of poverty where every child and family thrives.

Today on National Child Day, Ontario Campaign 2000 renews the call for ending child and family poverty to be a top priority for the Ontario government. There is no time to spare because the impact of poverty on children is the greatest, affecting both their physical and mental health. Although there was a slight 1.6% drop in the child poverty rate from 2015 to 2016, one in five children (544,710) under the age of 18 still lives in poverty in Ontario – this is unacceptable. With the recent changes announced by the Ontario government concerning social assistance, labour law rollbacks, and closing of the Ontario Child Advocate office, it is a difficult time for children and families who live in or are on the brink of poverty.

Ontario Child Poverty Infographics & Media Release, November 2018

Please click on the Media Release and five infographics listed below:

Ontario Campaign 2000 Media Release, Nov. 2018

Poverty Hurts Ontario

Income Security

Workers’ Rights

Universal Childcare

Affordable Housing

Reference List

With no clear poverty reduction strategy from the Ontario government, the proposed amendments to Ontario’s labour laws are a setback for families trying to lift themselves out of poverty. Ontario Campaign 2000 is deeply concerned by the Ontario government’s recent announcements related to the Making Ontario Open for Business Act. Recent reforms to the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and Employment Standards Act (ESA) sought to improve worker’s rights, particularly for those in precarious jobs. With the suggested changes, working families’ livelihoods and pathways to a healthy and prosperous life are now again in jeopardy.

Read our response here

On September 20, 2018, Ontario Campaign 2000 and CCPA Ontario brought together individuals and organizations concerned about government plans for reforming Ontario’s social assistance programs and rollbacks to hard fought gains to the rights of workers across the province. We also heard updates from leaders in basic income, childcare, housing, and issues affecting immigrants and racialized people.

With the clock ticking on the 100-day review of social assistance, and the fate of workers’ rights and the $15/hour minimum wage uncertain, we are all trying to stay informed of the resources and tools needed to support people in poverty.

This written summary of the teleconference also lists immediate actions you can take to protect income security in Ontario. We hope this helps keep the momentum going on all the great work we’ve seen over the past month.

Income Security in Ontario – What can we do about it?

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and Ontario Campaign 2000 invite you to join us in a province-wide teleconference on September 20, 2018 from 10-11:30 AM EST. There are only 50 phone spots on this call, so please confirm via Eventbrite link now. First come, first served. Once you RSVP, we will send you the conference call coordinates.

Background

We are bringing together all those concerned about government’s plans for reforming Ontario’s social assistance programs and rollbacks to hard fought gains to the rights of workers across the province. We’ll also hear updates from those working on basic income, child care, housing, and issues affecting immigrants and racialized people.

We want to hear from you. Please join us to discuss what’s at stake and what we can do about it.

Speakers include Jennefer Laidley (Income Security Advocacy Centre), Deena Ladd ($15 and Fairness), Tom Cooper (Hamilton Poverty Reduction Roundtable), Alana Powell (Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario), Victoria Wan (Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic) and Helen Luu (Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario).

Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2018
Time: 10-11:30 am EST

Prior registration required.

Ontario Campaign 2000 is deeply troubled by the Ontario government’s announcements regarding the social assistance system. Yesterday’s announcements deepen the instability, uncertainly and poverty suffered by low-income families in Ontario.

Citing ‘compassionate grounds’, government will roll back a planned 3% increase to social assistance rates to only 1.5%. Despite committing during the election campaign to continue the Basic Income Pilot, the pilot was cancelled. Important regulatory changes slated to take effect in the fall and meant to improve the lives of recipients of social assistance have also been lost. Government now plans to undertake a review of both Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (OW and ODSP) in the next one hundred days. No detail was provided about how recipients and others familiar with the system will be involved in order to improve recipients’ lives and ensure dignity.

Read our response.

Ontario Campaign 2000’s new infographics will help you pose questions to candidates at your doorstep and at townhalls.

Share these infographics on social media to help you and your networks keep the heat up for party commitments to end poverty before the June 7th election!

Click for shareable infographics for Facebook and Twitter on these important issues: housing, income security, child poverty targets and poverty reduction strategies, child care and work.

If you want to print up the graphics – use these PDF files on housing, income security, child poverty targets and poverty reduction strategies, child care and work.

There are many ways you can get involved in the provincial election before it is time to vote on June 7, 2018 in Ontario. You can ask questions about poverty when candidates come to your front door, speak up at all-candidates debates, post questions on social media and submit an Op Ed to local media outlets.

This booklet contains resources to assist our partners and friends in engaging with your local candidates prior to the Ontario general election. Click here to download and print the full 2018 Ontario Election Resource Kit.

In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Campaign 2000 extends a special thanks to our vital and dedicated volunteers! Volunteers provide leadership, guidance and expertise to all of Campaign 2000’s activities.

Our volunteers help power the anti-poverty movement in Canada by raising public awareness of poverty and its consequences and advocating for social justice from coast to coast to coast. We are privileged to work with volunteers that include parents, youth and children in low income; partner groups; advisors and steering committee members from across Canada.

Your dedication to the goal of eradicating child and family poverty keeps our network strong, vibrant and effective at building policies and programs supportive of low income children and families. Happy Volunteer Week!