News and Events

Make Child & Family Poverty History

Ontario Campaign 2000 released its most recent report on child poverty today, designed to provide the Ontario government with policy recommendations for the next iteration of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.  The most striking finding in the report shows that Ontario children face higher rates of poverty now than they did 30 years ago, when the federal all-party resolution to end child poverty by the year 2000 was signed.

The report entitled “Make Child and Family Poverty History: A Vision for Ontario’s Next Poverty Reduction Strategy” finds that 1 in 5 (18.7 per cent) of children under 18 live in poverty, and 1 in 5 children (20.2%) of children under 6 live in poverty in the province, with higher rates experienced by children who are Indigenous, racialized, recent immigrants, and in female-led lone parent families. Read our full press release here.

Ontario Campaign 2000 urges the government to focus on much needed policy changes and targeted investments designed to eradicate child and family poverty while developing the next Poverty Reduction Strategy. These include addressing inequities faced by marginalized groups; supporting vulnerable workers through increased worker protections and minimum wage; ensuring provision of public, high quality child care; and increasing the rates for social assistance and the Ontario Child Benefit.

Read the report in English or French.

Poverty hurts Children and Families: All Ontario Children Deserve a Strong Beginning

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

OntC2000 Responds to Social Assistance Changes

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.

Ask your Candidates about Poverty this Election

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.

Check our 2018 Ontario Election Resource Kit

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.

Budget 2018 makes transformational child care investment

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.

Ontario Pre-Budget 2018

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.

Op Ed: #MeToo and Gender Budgeting

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

Ending Child & Family Poverty is Not Negotiable

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.

Report Card 2017 Media Advisory

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.