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.

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!

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.

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.

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