Today marks the fourth anniversary of Ontario’s first-ever Poverty Reduction Strategy. The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction has issued its fourth annual progress report on poverty reduction – see below. The report notes that child…
The 25 in 5 Network’s fourth anniversary progress report on poverty reduction says
– poverty reduction is possible – child poverty declined between 2008 and 2010
– but government austerity is threatening to put the brakes on progress
– good policy, political leadership, and immediate action are required
– all Ontario’s political leaders should say what they’ll do to meet the 25in5 target and get the next five-year strategy underway
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Here’s the link to last night’s The Agenda with Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh
5 Reasons reform must remain a political priority – from Pedro Barata at United Way Toronto
Op-Ed in the Spec: An improved social-assistance model must include health and well-being
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Sandra Pupatello says she’ll review social assistance cuts, but comes out swinging against “welfare cheats”
MCSS Minister John Milloy backs Pupatello for the leadership
Gerrard Kennedy has entered the race
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The provincial government’s decision to eliminate the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB) will have negative impacts – not only on housing, but also on people’s health. The Wellesley Institute and ISAC – along with ACTO, the AOHC, Street Health, and the Peterborough County-City Health Unit – have partnered to produce a new report, “The Real Cost of Cutting the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit: A Health Equity Impact Assessment.” The report calls on the provincial government to halt the planned elimination of CSUMB and reinstate the $67 million in funding.
For ISAC’s 10th anniversary in November 2011, we created a series of documents that describe our major areas of work and major accomplishments in each year.
A new FAQ has been posted on the Ministry’s website – important stuff on how government intends to respond
The Commissioners do an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen
The Record’s D’Amato says it’s time for the Liberals to make it right
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The Commission for the Review of Social Assistance released its final report and recommendations yesterday, October 24
Statement from Minister Milloy
Media Coverage
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TORONTO (Oct 24, 2012) – The Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) is urging the provincial government to respond to the report of the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario by immediately engaging with people on social assistance.…
Star editorial today – Oct 19 – says cutting CSUMB for the poorest in Ontario sends a miserable message
An update from me (to people in the legal clinic system) on how various municipalities are responding to the cuts
The cut leaves a $21 million hole in the City of Toronto’s budget – St. Stephens’ event, the OCAP rally, and more – Oct 18
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Carol Goar on the importance of Community Start-Up and efforts to save it
NOW article says to watch for sleight-of-hand (Ed: see quote from yours truly)
Sault Ste. Marie’s mayor says the pain of the cuts will dwarf any savings
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As has been the case every year for the last three years, the provincial government is applying a 1% increase to social assistance rates starting in November / December 2012. And, as we do every…