Top Story: Ontario’s Second Poverty Reduction Strategy
Government releases its Poverty Reduction Strategy: “Realizing Our Potential”:
http://news.ontario.ca/prs/en/2014/09/realizing-our-potential-ontarios-poverty-reduction-strategy-2014-2019.html
Minister Matthews’ video on the Office of the Premier’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/premierofontario
Some Statements and Responses
ISAC: The test of the strategy will be how it deals with social assistance poverty:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf90&id=afab5b488e
25in5: The strategy’s bold vision requires an action plan and investment strategy:
http://25in5.ca/bold-vision-in-ontarios-new-poverty-reduction-strategy-action-plan-and-investment-strategy-now-required/
ISARC: Strategy’s positive elements needs targets, timelines, and new resources:
http://isarc.ca/?p=456
AOHC: Steps in the right direction but no targets, timelines or implementation plan:
http://aohc.org/Ontario%E2%80%99s-New-Poverty-Reduction-Strategy-%E2%80%93-Steps-right-direction-no-firm-targets-and-timelines
Ontario NDP:
http://www.ontariondp.ca/liberals_fail_to_meet_achievable_child_poverty_target_says_ndp_s_dinovo
And before the Strategy was announced, a statement on the importance of expanding health and dental benefits:
http://povertyfreeontario.blogspot.ca/2014/09/ontarios-2nd-poverty-reduction-strategy.html
Province-wide Coverage
Advocates applaud the plan, but urge targets and timelines be set:
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/09/03/liberals_promise_to_end_homelessness_some_day.html
New PRS includes commitment to end homelessness:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/09/03/ontario_to_tackle_homelessness_in_new_antipoverty_plan.html
Star editorial: PRS keeps social justice in the window:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2014/09/04/wynnes_poverty_agenda_keeps_social_justice_in_the_window_editorial.html
Province reconfirms commitment to reduce child poverty by 25%:
http://globalnews.ca/news/1540768/ontario-government-wants-to-cut-child-poverty-by-25-per-cent/
Ontario misses child poverty target; Ottawa didn’t step up:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-misses-target-on-child-poverty-reduction-blames-ottawa-1.2754692?cmp=rss
Ontario recommits to a 25% reduction and pledge to eradicate homelessness:
http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/03/ontario-recommits-to-cutting-child-poverty
*note: this story was carried in Sun media community papers in regions across Ontario
Coverage from Communities Around the Province
Hamilton:
- Advocates say more money needed:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/more-cash-commitments-needed-in-poverty-plan-hamilton-advocates-say-1.2754531 - AM900 interviews Tom Cooper:
https://soundcloud.com/am900chml/hr1-seg3-tom-cooper?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter - Plan is a step in the right direction:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4822094-province-s-poverty-plan-step-in-the-right-direction-hamilton-group-says/ - Pike: The Strategy says the right things, but ambition isn’t enough:
http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/4835252-pike-saying-the-right-things-about-poverty/
York Region:
- Advocates are cautiously optimistic:
http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/4837602-province-aims-to-reduce-poverty/
Northumberland:
- Advocates say PRS lacks meaningful action:
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2014/09/04/poverty-plan-criticized
London:
- Advocates say goals are reasonable:
http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/news-story/4822173-poverty-strategy-to-end-homelessness-eventually/
Niagara:
- St. Catherine’s Standard’s Grant LaFleche: Child poverty shouldn’t be an issue, but it is:
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2014/09/03/child-poverty-shouldnt-be-an-issue-but-it-is
Ottawa:
- Ottawa Citizen’s Reelevy says there’s much to like but more to do:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/reevely-liberals-poverty-plan-has-right-idea-short-on-specifics
Associated Resources
Mowat Centre’s report for MCYS on the approaches that work to reduce poverty:
http://mowatcentre.ca/what-works/
And a clinical tool to help doctors screen for poverty:
http://ocfp.on.ca/docs/default-source/cme/poverty-and-medicine-march-2013.pdf?sfvrsn=0