To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity on the poverty reduction agenda

News

Hearings on Bill 152 – Poverty Reduction Act, 2009

Bill 152 – Poverty Reduction Act, 2009 Projet de loi 152 – Loi de 2009 sur la réduction de la pauvreté The Standing Committee on Social Policy will meet to consider Bill 152, An Act respecting a long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario. The Committee intends to hold public hearings in Toronto on Monday, [...]

Tax Harmonization Takes Food Off the Table

March 26, 2009 We are deeply concerned about the Ontario Government’s plans for harmonizing the PST and GST. Low income people cannot afford to lose ground as cash is taken out of their pockets for increased taxes on things like gas and electricity leaving them with less for food and other necessities. The Social Planning [...]

Bad Economy No Reason for Cold Feet on Poverty Reduction

Timely investments will reduce poverty but also stimulate local economies Sarah Blackstock, Pat Capponi, Janet Gasparini 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction Just four months ago, Ontarians congratulated our provincial government for committing to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent in the next five years. We knew there was a lot more work [...]

Ontario Needs to Tackle Social Deficit

Ottawa gave province fiscal breathing room but did little to help poor and unemployed John Stapleton, Janet Gasparini, Neethan Shan Two important questions faced Ontario’s poverty reduction plan after its December release: How much further would Ontario’s economy deteriorate? What would the federal government do in its winter budget to support Ontario’s goal to reduce [...]

Community and Public Health Leaders Call on Province to Put Food in the Budget

February 19, 2009 Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, today joined with community agencies to call on the government of Ontario to introduce a $100 Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance in the upcoming provincial budget. Dr. McKeown reported on the cost of nutritious food in Toronto and said people [...]