Budget 2018 makes important strides to fill gaps in services and affordability faced by low income children and families, according to Ontario Campaign 2000. The proposed budget will support low income families today and in the long term with game-changing investments in child care and expanded access to loans and grants for post-secondary education.  The coalition is disappointed that the incomes of people in receipt of social assistance are only modestly improved with a 3% increase in rates annually over three years and that the Poverty Reduction Strategy received no new funding.

“For families struggling to secure affordable, quality, licensed child care, the provision of free child care for children from 2.5 to 4 years old starting in 2020 will be transformational,” says Anita Khanna, Campaign 2000’s national coordinator. “Low income families will finally enjoy barrier-free childcare, they will be able to enjoy the benefits of early learning for children while parents are enabled to return to work or upgrade their education.”

Read the full budget response. Download infographic.

Child and family poverty continues to be a serious problem in Ontario and it is imperative that the 2018 Ontario budget provide sufficient and sustainable funding in a variety of key areas to end poverty. The most recent Taxfiler data show 17.2% of children under the age of 18, and 18.8% of children under the age of 6 live in poverty in Ontario (LIM-AT).1 This equates to one in six children and youth in the province. This rate increases exponentially for children who are Indigenous, racialized or are recent immigrants.

This is simply unacceptable.

With bold targets, timelines, and a strong commitment from all provincial parties, Ontario can eliminate child and family poverty. Ending child and family poverty is not negotiable. Every child and family in Ontario deserves not only to live free from poverty but also to thrive and we call for immediate action!

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

In a newly published Op Ed, Campaign 2000 and partners write about how sitting politicians’ responses to sexual misconduct allegations must move beyond shock and disgust. We call for them to use their power to take concrete action through gender responsive budgeting and investments in services for women, girls and LGTBTQ people in low income. Without concrete action by these politicians, their reactions will ring hollow and the momentum and potential to stamp out sexual harassment that has been created by #MeToo will be squandered.

Leaders Who Truly Support #MeToo Should Prove It At Budget Time

Ontario Campaign 2000 releases its 2017 annual Report on Child and Family Poverty on Tuesday November 21 at Queen’s Park in Toronto. Ending poverty for Ontario’s children and families must be a key platform for all political parties heading into next spring’s provincial election.

The report calls on all parties to provide concrete poverty reduction initiatives within their 2018 platforms and outlines a comprehensive plan for eliminating child and family poverty across the province. The report entitled “Ending Child and Family Poverty Is Not Negotiable: Building Stronger Foundations for Ontario Families” states that one in six (17.2 per cent) of children under 18 live in poverty in the province, with higher rates experienced by children who are Indigenous, racialized, recent immigrants and for female lone parent families. Read our media release in full in English or French.

On the same day, Campaign 2000 releases its national report card along with report cards from several Campaign 2000 provincial partners in Vancouver, British Columbia; Regina, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Charlottetown, Prince Edwards Island.

The press release, infographic and new report cards can be found in the links below.

Ontario Report Card on Child and Family Poverty, 2017, in English and French
Press release in English and French
Ontario Campaign 2000 Infographic.

Ontario Campaign 2000 will release its annual provincial Report Card on Child and Family Poverty on Tuesday November 21, 2017, in Toronto. The report Ending Child and Family Poverty Is Not Negotiable: Building Stronger Foundations for Ontario Families, will be launched at a press conference at Queen’s Park, Media Studio at 1pm.

Campaign 2000 national and partners in several provinces will also release their annual report cards on the same day. The national report card launch will take place in Ottawa.

Read media advisory in English and French.

On Tuesday November 21, 2017, Ontario Campaign 2000 will release its 2017 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Ontario. The launch will happen in Toronto.

Campaign 2000 national and partners in several provinces will also release their annual report cards on the same day. The national report card launch will take place in Ottawa.

Stay tuned for more information to be released closer to the launch date.

Ontario Campaign 2000 is encouraged that the Ontario government has introduced Bill 148, Fair Workplaces Better Jobs Act to update the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and Employment Standards Act (ESA). The changes within the bill will have a large impact on low income families in the province of Ontario and particularly impact some of the most marginalized in the province, including women, female lone parents, immigrants, and racialized workers. Providing workers with greater income security, job stability, and freedom to organize collectively for their rights as workers are crucial elements of any program for poverty reduction and eradication and to building a strong and healthy Ontario.

Read submission.

The online consultations for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy (CPRS) will close at the end of June 2017. To make a submission or participate in this process, please go to the Government of Canada website and make your voices heard.

Family Service Toronto and Campaign 2000 welcome the government’s decision to launch the national public consultation process for the development of the C-PRS. “With nearly one in five children living in poverty, federal vision is essential to activate the policies and programs urgently needed to eradicate poverty in Canada,” says Anita Khanna, National Coordinator of Campaign 2000. “We welcome the opportunity to inform the development of the strategy and ensure it is guided by targets and timelines that improve the lives of children, families and all people who live in poverty.”

The nation-wide consultation process is achieved through a Poverty Reduction Strategy engagement website (including participating in discussion forums, online town halls and surveys or sending emails) and roundtables with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, Indigenous organizations, businesses, community organizations, academic experts and Canadians who have experienced poverty.

This Monday, June 12, public forums in Winnipeg, Toronto and Charlottetown will connect people across Canada to discuss their priorities for the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy (CPRS).

With 4.9 million Canadians in poverty and government consulting for the strategy until June 30, Campaign 2000’s forums will focus on the dire need for federal action on urgent recommendations to eradicate poverty.

On the same day,  Campaign 2000 will release a comprehensive CPRS submission, Federal Action Plan to Eradicate Poverty, outlining solutions with clear targets and timelines for success. Read full media advisory.

Campaign 2000 June Forums
Cross-site online feed starts at 6:30 p.m. EST

Toronto

Shaping Canada’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy
6-9 p.m. EST
Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street.
Speakers include: Dr. Gary Bloch (St. Michael’s Hospital), Neethan Shan (Ward 42 City Councillor), Maya Roy (CEO YWCA Canada), Damon Johnston (Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg), Lubna Khalid (Working for Change) and many more.
Host: Campaign 2000

Winnipeg

Shaping Canada’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy
5-8 p.m. CST
Winnipeg Harvest, 1085 Winnipeg Ave.
Host: Winnipeg Harvest

Charlottetown

Public Meeting: Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy
7:00 p.m. ADT
Murphy Community Centre, 200 Richmond St. Room 207, Charlottetown
Hosts: PEI Coalition for a Poverty Eradication Strategy & MacKillop Centre for Social Justice
June 14th Forum

Vancouver

Community Conversation on Federal Poverty Reduction Strategy
9-11:30 a.m. PST
BC Teachers’ Federation Building, 550 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver
Hosts: First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition & BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

After many years of dedicated work by community members and organizations, including $15 and Fairness and Workers Action Centre, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced that the Ontario government will make significant changes to Ontario workplaces including:

• Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by January 1, 2019
• Mandating equal pay for equal work for part-time, temporary, casual and seasonal employees
• Expanding personal emergency leave to 10 days including a minimum of 2 paid days per year for all workers
• Increasing vacation time to 3 weeks after an employee is employed 5 years with the same company
• Requiring employees to be paid 3hrs of wages if their shift is cancelled less than 48 hours before their shift

This is a huge step in the right direction for addressing child and family poverty in the province and ensuring that work is a pathway out of poverty.

Read the Ontario government’s press release and further detailed information about the Fair Wages, Better Jobs Act.