Government Consultations on Poverty Reduction

The Ontario government has committed to developing an Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy by the end of 2008.  The strategy will focus initially on reducing child poverty.  Government consultations were to have ended on July 31, 2008, but overwhelming response from the public has convinced government to extend the deadline.  To see the government's official Poverty Reduction website, click here and for a list of the locations and dates of the official consultations (which have now concluded), click here.  ISAC has been active in working to ensure that low-income people are included in the consultation meetings, and continues to work to ensure that the strategy benefits all people living in poverty, including people on social assistance.

ISAC has made an official submission to the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction.

Check out Poverty Watch Ontario, a website that continues to track information on what communities are doing across the province on poverty reduction.  Further organizig will be done between now and the end of the year, when government is expected to release its Strategy.  Check back often for updates.

ISAC has created an Ending Poverty Workshop guide, which was used in some communities during the consultations but is also a useful tool for discussin the issue of poverty and poverty reduction at any time.

Other useful resources:

25 in 5 Declaration on Poverty Reduction

Ontario Campaign 2000 Poverty Reduction Discussion Paper

Work Isn't Working for Ontario Families

SPNO Policy Framework Presentation - May 2008

SPNO Poverty Reduction Strategy - September 2007

Daily Bread Food Bank Deprivation Index

Ontario Campaign 2000 Action Guide

ODSP Action Coalition MPP Lobby Kit