[homeles_ot-l] Fwd: 25 in 5 Response to 2009 Budget

[Terrie]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction <
25_in_5_Network_for_Poverty_Redu at mail.vresp.com>
Date: 2009/3/26
Subject: 25 in 5 Response to 2009 Budget
To: mocharebyl at gmail.com


 *Ontario makes progress on poverty reduction, but job still unfinished** *

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2009 – Today’s budget took crucial steps to bring Ontario closer
to the goal of reducing poverty by 25% by 2013. But the budget needed to go
further to help low-income individuals and families get by in current tough
economic times, said the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction.

“This budget has moved the bar forward on housing, tax credits, and child
benefits in ways that will make a tangible difference in the lives of many
Ontarians. But there are still significant gaps that must continue to be
addressed in the year ahead,” said Pat Capponi, Facilitator of Voices From
the Street.

The 25 in 5 Network identified five critical areas for government action,
released in its Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in
February. The budget delivered on the Ontario Child Benefit, made
significant progress on affordable housing, fell short on social assistance,
missed the mark entirely on early learning and child care, and went halfway
on labour standards.

“Increasing the Ontario Child Benefit to $92 a month as of this July will
help protect low income families during an economic downturn and is crucial
to the goal of reducing child and family poverty by 25% by 2013,” said Sarah
Blackstock, of the Income Security Advocacy Centre. “We are eager, however,
to ensure government meets its commitment that each child on social
assistance will be better off by at least $50 a month at full OCB
implementation.”

“Matching federal infrastructure dollars to build more affordable housing
and repair existing social housing units is smart economic stimulus and an
investment to keep tens of thousands of Ontarians out of the cold in this
recession and beyond,” said Michael Shapcott of the Wellesley Institute.

“A two percent social assistance hike falls far short of what’s needed.
Communities across Ontario will continue to call for a Healthy Food
Supplement of $100 a month to help adults on welfare who are struggling,”
said Peter Clutterbuck, of the Social Planning Network of Ontario. “We can
expect more Ontarians to experience hardship and food bank lines and
homelessness to grow.”

“With no new funding for early learning and child care in this Budget,
thousands of families could have their subsidies cut starting in September.
Many parents who rely on child care to stay employed, get retrained and keep
their head above water could face an economic crisis. The situation is
urgent and we cannot afford to wait for action,” said Jacquie Maund, Ontario
Coordinator of Campaign 2000.

The 25 in 5 Network was also looking for the Budget to kickstart the
development of a new Ontario Housing Benefit, but no details were
forthcoming. Ontario only went halfway on its commitment to hiring new
employment standards officers to ensure more workers will have their wages
and basic rights protected through this downturn, and 25 in 5 called for
immediate action on the other half. In addition, 25 in 5 continues to call
for the establishment of a provincial Equity and Anti-Racism Directorate.

The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral coalition of
more than 350 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and thousands of
individuals working to eliminate poverty in Ontario.

Backgrounder available at
www.25in5.ca<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CommunitySocialPlann/d7f72c672c/eb46af6dad/a6d832c124>
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*About the 25 in 5 eBulletins*
The 25 in 5 Network is steered by a coalition of Ontario organizations
including Campaign 2000, the Income Security Advocacy Centre, the Social
Planning Network of Ontario the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform
Coalition, The Colour of Poverty Project, the Ontario Coalition for Social
Justice, Voices From the Street, among others.

This is a bulletin from 25 in 5 to its contact list of supporters and
interested parties across the province. The Bulletin is intended to keep you
up to date on the implementation of a poverty reduction plan for Ontario and
to let you know how you, your organizations and networks can help make it
happen.

For more information visit
www.25in5.ca<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?CommunitySocialPlann/d7f72c672c/eb46af6dad/cf8f15763c>


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25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
c/o Community Social Planning Council of Toronto
2 Carlton St., Suite 1001
Toronto, ON M5B 1J3

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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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