Current Campaigns and Law Reform
Ontario Post-election 2007
On October 10th, the Ontario Liberals were elected to a new majority government. ISAC is calling on the Liberals to move forward immediately on their commitment to reduce poverty in Ontario. Much of the early discussion appears to be around a child poverty strategy. But if the plan is going to be successful, it needs to extend beyond families.
ISAC Press Release
Party commitments on Poverty
ISAC's five key election demands
ISAC's all-party questionaire
Read the parties' responses
Liberals
Progressive Conservative
New Democratic Party
Green Party
25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
During the provincial election campaign, the 25 and 5 Network: For Poverty Reduction asked party leaders and candidates to commit to a poverty reduction plan that would reduce Ontario's poverty rate by 25% in the next 5 years. The Network released an Open Letter to party leaders at a media event on September 7, 2007 and continued through the election campaign to push for a plan with the concrete measures, timelines and funding needed to reduce poverty in Ontario. By the end of the campaign, the Liberals committed to developing a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy around the Ontario Child Benefit with timetables and targets to be established within the first year of their mandate. The Ontario NDP endorsed the development of a poverty reduction strategy with a 25 in 5 target. The Leader of the Progressive Conservatives spoke of the need to have a comprehensive strategy to address poverty.
25-in-5 Response to Ontario Throne Speech
Open Letter - November 26, 2007
Election Action Sheet
25 in 5 Network: Open Letter Reseau 25 en 25: Lettre ouverte
Backgrounder Feuille de renseignements
Poverty Reduction Quotes Press Release
Ontario Child Benefit
The Ontario Child Benefit was announced in March 2007 and will go to all low-income families with children between the ages of 0 – 18, whether they are working or receiving Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The Ontario Child Benefit will be implemented in July 2008 and is scheduled to increase gradually from $50/month/child to $92/month/child by 2011. ISAC is also urging supporters to lobby candidates in the upcoming Ontario election to implement the Ontario Child Benefit more quickly.
For more information, click here
Ontario Needs A Raise
Anti-poverty groups, organizations and low-income people across the province are working hard to get the provincial government to raise social assistance rates to reflect the real cost of living, increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour, and end the NCBS clawback from families on social assistance.
For more information
Ontario Needs a Raise resources
Colour of Poverty
In Ontario, those who are poor are most likely to be people pf colour. The Colour of Poverty Campaign was launched by the Colour of Justice Network to raise public awareness about the extent of poverty in racialized communities across the province. The Campaign includes fact sheets on topics such as employment, income, policing, immigration and housing. A video on Race and Poverty in Ontario is also available.
Respect Campaign
The Toronto and York Region Labour Council has launched the RESPECT campaign, calling on all parties and candidates to respect workers' rights to: 1) a $10 minimum wage; 2) stable, full-time work; 3) acceptance of foreign credentials; 5) affordable housing and child care; 6) the right to unionize and; 7) adequate benefits like social assistance and employment insurance.
RESPECT Campaign Backgrounder
Take Action
$10 Minimum Wage Campaign
The Toronto and York Region Labour Council is continuing it's campaign for a $10 minimum wage...
For more information, click here
Hungry City Campaign
The Daily Bread Food Bank is calling for a new deal to fight hunger.
Read the full Who's hungry: 2007 Profile of Hunger in the GTA report.
Visit www.hungrycity.ca for information on the campaign.
Endorse the campaign online.
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Step It Up Campaign
This campaign was launched by women activists and the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses. The campaign calls for better, faster government action to end violence against women. It outlines 10 steps that are needed to end poverty and violence against women. Several campaign materials are available to lobby candidates and MPPs.
For more information |
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