[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: ISAC Response to 2008 Budget

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) <isac at lao.on.ca>
Date: 25 Mar 2008 19:10
Subject: ISAC Response to 2008 Budget
To: mocharebyl at gmail.com

 *For Immediate Release
*
 *March 25, 2008*
 * *
 *2008 Ontario Budget Confirms Commitment to Poverty Reduction Strategy: *
 *ISAC says, Don't Forget People on Social Assistance*
 * *
 *Toronto* – "We're encouraged that this budget restates the government's
commitment to improving the quality of life for the most economically and
socially vulnerable Ontarians," said Mary Marrone, Director of Advocacy and
Legal Services at the Income Security Advocacy Centre. "And that this
government understands the importance of taking an active role in reducing
poverty."

 In addition to previously-announced 'kickstart' projects for dental care,
social housing repair, and nutrition programs, the budget includes a 2%
increase in benefit rates for people receiving Ontario Works and Ontario
Disability Support Program benefits, mirroring similarly-sized increases
since 2005.

 "Addressing the widely-acknowledged inadequacy of social assistance incomes
must be part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy," said Marrone. "The 2%
increase announced today will keep people on social assistance from falling
further behind, but we look forward to a strategy that actually begins to
reduce the depth of their poverty."

 A single mother with one child under 12 receiving Ontario Works benefits
currently lives more than $5000 below Statistics Canada's post-tax Low
Income Cut-Off. Singles and couples without children are even further below
the poverty line.

 ISAC is concerned that people receiving social assistance, who are among
the most vulnerable low-income Ontarians, not be forgotten in the
government's plans to reduce poverty.

 "Including low-income people in part means ensuring their ability to
participate in the government's upcoming poverty reduction consultation
process," said Marrone. "We look forward to hearing in the coming weeks that
dedicated funding will allow for an inclusive, broad-based consultation."

 The Income Security Advocacy Centre is a specialized community legal clinic
with a provincial mandate to improve the income security of people living in
Ontario through test case litigation, policy advocacy and community
organizing.

 *- 30 -*


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-- 
Terrie ( mocharebyl at gmail.com )
"If you see an injustice being committed, you aren't an observer, you are a
participant." June Callwood
Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and
renders the present inaccessible.  Maya Angelou
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