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Income Security Advocacy Centre -- Fall Update on Poverty Reduction
1. ISAC Submission to Government on Poverty Reduction
As you may know, the provincial government concluded its consultations on Poverty Reduction on July 31. They are now reviewing their findings from these consultations as well as from the over 500 written submissions to the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction from groups, organizations, and individuals. ISAC made an official submission to inform the Cabinet Committee's deliberations as they develop Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is expected to be released by the end of this year. ISAC's goal was to ensure that a review of social assistance is a key component of the poverty reduction strategy. You can view the ISAC submission at: http://www.incomesecurity.org/campaigns/GovernmentConsultationsonPovertyReduction.html
2. 25 in 5 Network - Recent News, and Call for Endorsements
ISAC is a founding member of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction, which has been instrumental in organizing support for poverty reduction by keeping it in the media and on the government's agenda. Since its founding in the summer of 2007, 25 in 5 has grown from a small group of community-based agencies and policy organizations to a coalition of over 140 groups, agencies, and individuals in communities across the province, including faith groups, women's groups, labour organizations, municipalities, public health departments, multi-cultural groups, youth-related organizations, and many others. An incredible degree of cross-sectoral communication and cooperation has been achieved in the campaign for poverty reduction, which is good news for social justice advocacy in Ontario.
We are forwarding to you the following message from 25 in 5, which includes a request for the endorsement of groups, organizations, and individuals. We encourage you and/or any group you belong to to endorse the 25 in 5 declaration.
From the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction:1) No Slow Down on Poverty Reduction!
On Monday this week, Premier McGuinty indicated publicly that his government remains committed to introducing a poverty reduction plan, but may have to delay its implementation due to the downturn in the economy.
(See the following website for coverage of the Premier's comments: http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080916/poverty_Ontario_080916/20080916/?hub=TorontoNewHome )
Within hours, 25 in 5 issued a press release calling on McGuinty to recognize that the threat of an economic downturn makes leadership on poverty reduction more important than ever.
The press release can be found at: www.socialplanningtoronto.org/25in5/ma_roadbumps.html
We encourage you to echo these same messages locally to keep the pressure on. Use the press release as a template for a letter to your MPP, a letter to the editor of your local paper, an op-ed, or a letter to groups and organizations in your area. Visit your MPP and tell them that a significant downpayment on poverty reduction must be included in the 2009 budget.
Just as important is your support for the three priorities in the 25 in 5 Declaration on Poverty Reduction - read on, and endorse the declaration today!
2) Endorse the Declaration!
The next few months will be critical as we come to the government's self-imposed one-year timeline for introducing its Poverty Reduction Strategy. We know they're working to design the strategy, but we also know we must keep the pressure on!
The 25 in 5 founding Declaration lays out three priorities for a Poverty Reduction Strategy:
- Good, sustaining jobs that lift working Ontarians out of poverty;
- Liveable incomes that adequately support those unable to work; and,
- Strong and supportive communities -- affordable housing, child care, public education and community programs that help people connect.
- Get your organization, other groups in your community, and individuals to endorse the 25 in 5 Declaration.
- Simply send an email with the name of the endorser (or organization), a contact name and email address, to jposthu@toronto.ca. Your endorsement will be added to the list of supporters on the 25 in 5 website.
- A list of groups who have already endorsed the Declaration is on the website at www.25in5.ca.
- The Declaration is at www.socialplanningtoronto.org/25in5/declaration_eng.pdf,
- Organize and host an event in your community on or around October 17, the International Day to Eradicate Poverty, to show your support for a bold poverty reduction strategy for Ontario; and
- Stay tuned for details about a 25 in 5 event in Toronto in October to mark the Day (details to follow).
Further information will be forwarded in the coming weeks.
Show your support for a poverty-free Ontario. Forward this message through your networks, and join with the 25 in 5 Network today.
An OCSJ press release on International Human Rights Day
Download PDF.
An Open Letter to the People of Ontario in Response to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Announced by the Ontario Government
Download PDF.
ISAC Fall Update on Poverty Reduction
Read more....
Peel Poverty Action Group sends letter to local candidates
Read more....
Campaign 2000 Update on the Federal Election
Read more....
