Campaigns and Law Reform: Our Current Work
Poverty Reduction in Ontario
ISAC has been very involved in working to advocate for a poverty reduction strategy in Ontario, and in helping communities voice their needs and expectations for poverty reduction.
ISAC has also forwarded policy proposals to government, particularly on improving the lives of people living on social assistance in Ontario.
On December 4, the provincial government released Breaking the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy. In this document, the province commits to reduce child and family poverty in Ontario by 25% in the next five years. Read more about Poverty Reduction in Ontario by clicking here.
Ontario Child Benefit
The Ontario Child Benefit goes to all eligible 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). ISAC is monitoring the roll-out of the OCB closely and working to ensure no families on social assistance are left out or left worse off as a result of the changes. Read more about the Ontario Child Benefit by clicking here.
OW / ODSP Reforms
Social Assistance Rate Restructuring
Starting in July 2008 – when the new monthly Ontario Child Benefit began (see above) – the provincial government made changes to social assistance rates that impact on families with dependent children only. Single people, couples without children, and parents without dependent children have not been affected. See ISAC’s Rate Restructuring and Child Benefits fact sheet for more information.
UPDATE: Starting in July 2009, the Ontario Child Benefit will increase to $92 per month per child. However, social assistance rates for families with dependent children are being further restructured. See our June 2009 updated Rate Restructuring and Child Benefits fact sheet for more information.
Transition Child Benefit
Some families receiving social assistance do not get the maximum OCB or NCBS. To make sure that these families are not negatively affected by the restructuring of social assistance rates (see above), the government has created the Transition Child Benefit. This will affect families with dependent children only. Single people, couples without children, and parents without dependent children will not be affected. See ISAC’s Transition Child Benefit Fact Sheet for more information.
Cuts hurt Kids! Alert
Starting in 2008, the Back-to-School and Winter Clothing allowances provided through OW and ODSP will no longer be paid out in lump sum payments, as the provincial government starts to move benefits for children out of social assistance and into the monthly Ontario Child Benefit program. Families on OW and ODSP are expected to save up to buy winter clothes and school supplies throughout the year, despite the fact social assistance rates are so low most families can't afford to pay rent and eat three meals a day. Read more here.
ISAC and Ontario Campaign 2000
ISAC works closely with Ontario Campaign 2000, which is a provincial organization committed to lobbying all levels of government to end child poverty.
ISAC is a member of Ontario Campaign 2000's steering committee and contributes to its annual Ontario Child Poverty Report Card. We are also collaborating on the Ending Poverty Project.
Low-Income Energy Network (LIEN)
LIEN was formed in 2004 by anti-poverty, affordable housing and environmental groups in response to the impact of rising energy prices on low-income Ontarians.
ISAC sits on LIEN's Steering Committee. Read more about LIEN by clicking here.
Links to Other Income Security Campaigns
Campaign 2000
Ontario Workers Need a Fair Deal Campaign
ODSP Action Coalition
Step It Up Campaign
|
