Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, 2020
Ontario has the potential to be a place where every family can get ahead. However, there are real barriers to that success. Despite their best efforts, too many families are entrenched in a cycle of poverty, and the impact of poverty on their children is deep and long-lasting. According to the latest tax filer data, 18.7% of children under the age of 18 in Ontario live in poverty (Census Family Low Income Measure After Tax). For children under 6, that number rises to 20.2%. Families in Ontario count on the government to develop, maintain and enhance social safety nets that help move them past the obstacles that poverty creates. The Ontario government can address the core issues many low income families face by re-committing to reducing child poverty by 50% by 2024, by strengthening employment standards and creating good quality jobs; by investing in high-quality, accessible public childcare; improving income security; and ensuring affordable and appropriate housing is accessible to all. Read Ontario 2020 Pre-Budget Submission
Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, 2019
Ontario is a wealthy province, yet the latest child and family poverty data illustrate that not all Ontarians start from an equal place. According to the latest tax filer data, 19.5% of children under the age of 18 live in poverty (Census Family Low Income Measure After Tax). The percentage of children in marginalized families who live in poverty increases dramatically due to systemic barriers: one in two children of immigrants, one in four racialized children, and one in three Indigenous children. Significant levels of child and family poverty are present in each and every riding across Ontario. Families in Ontario need a strong social safety net to escape poverty. The Ontario government has the opportunity to drive down poverty rates through the 2019 budget by investing in key areas to support work becoming a pathway out poverty, access to child care, improved income security and affordable housing. Read Ontario 2019 Pre-Budget Submission
Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, 2018
Child and family poverty continues to be a serious problem in Ontario and it is imperative that the 2018 Ontario budget provide sufficient and sustainable funding in a variety of key areas to end poverty. The most recent Taxfiler data show 17.2% of children under the age of 18, and 18.8% of children under the age of 6 live in poverty in Ontario (LIM-AT).1 This equates to one in six children and youth in the province. This rate increases exponentially for children who are Indigenous, racialized or are recent immigrants. This is simply unacceptable. With bold targets, timelines, and a strong commitment from all provincial parties, Ontario can eliminate child and family poverty. Ending child and family poverty is not negotiable. Every child and family in Ontario deserves not only to live free from poverty but also to thrive and we call for immediate action! Read Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
Income Security: A Roadmap for Change Submission, 2018
We are pleased to provide our feedback on the report Income Security: A Roadmap for Change. We are encouraged that the Ontario government is exploring ways to transform the current income security system and recognize this report as the first of its kind in 30 years. We are also encouraged by the government’s commitment to working with First Nations and Urban Indigenous Peoples within Ontario in a manner that respects their right to self-governance and prioritizes their needs. The framework and direction taken by Roadmap for Change to move toward an income security system based in respect and dignity and a commitment to working with First Peoples is critical to ending poverty. Ontario Campaign 2000 urges the province to adopt the recommendations within the report and take urgent action towards implementation by providing funding in Budget 2018. Read the Income Security: A Roadmap for Change Submission. ONC2000 Roadmap For Change Submission – January 4, 2017.
Bill 148 Fair Workplaces Better Jobs Act Submission, 2017
Ontario Campaign 2000 is encouraged that the Ontario government has introduced Bill 148, Fair Workplaces Better Jobs Act to update the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and Employment Standards Act (ESA). The changes within the bill will have a large impact on low income families in the province of Ontario and particularly impact some of the most marginalized in the province, including women, female lone parents, immigrants, and racialized workers. Providing workers with greater income security, job stability, and freedom to organize collectively for their rights as workers are crucial elements of any program for poverty reduction and eradication and to building a strong and healthy Ontario. Read the Fair Workplaces Better Jobs Act Submission.
Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, 2017
The 2017 Ontario budget is an important opportunity for the province to provide sufficient and sustainable funding to a variety of key areas to end poverty in the province. Child and family poverty continues to be a serious problem in Ontario. The latest tax filer data show 18.8% of children under the age of 18, and 20.4% of children under the age of 6 live in poverty in Ontario according to the Low Income Measure After Tax (LIM-AT). With the increasing costs of housing, child care, hydro, and other necessities, and the increasing precarity of employment in the province (with the growth of part-time, contract, temporary, and shift work with low wages and few or no benefits), effective policy changes coupled with sufficient and sustainable funding are needed to ensure no child and family in Ontario live in poverty. Read Pre-Budget Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.
Basic Income Submission, 2017
Ontario Campaign 2000 is encouraged that the Ontario government is exploring ways to change the current income security system. The need for an improved income security system can be witnessed through the struggles of low income people, including families and children living in poverty throughout the province. The Basic Income Pilot provides a unique opportunity to implement a tool which can be used to help eliminate poverty in the province by addressing the inequalities that are present in the current social assistance system. However, great care must be taken to ensure that the Pilot is grounded both in understanding the systemic conditions which cause people to live in poverty and in addressing the systemic barriers that prohibit people from exiting poverty. Read Submission to the Basic Income Pilot Consultation.
Early Years and Child Care Strategy Submission, 2017
Ontario Campaign 2000 is encouraged that the Ontario government is taking the time to create a renewed early years and child care policy framework. Campaign 2000 has consistently called for the creation of a universal child care system as it is a key element to reducing child and family poverty. Families living in poverty in Ontario struggle daily to afford necessities including shelter, food and clothing. Regulated, high-quality child care is crucial among these essential services; however, families living in poverty struggle to both access and afford child care. Without a universal child care program, low income families and children will continue to be left behind, facing greater barriers to exiting poverty. Read Submission to the Early Years and Child Care Strategy.
Personal Emergency Leave Submission, 2016
Ontario Campaign 2000 is encouraged that the Ontario government has taken steps to improve and update the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Many low income families are engaged in precarious work and need full access to leave entitlements. Ontario Campaign 2000 has called for revisions to Personal Emergency Leave (PEL) under the ESA to support low income Ontarians who are struggling to take care of their families. Read Submission to the Changing Workplaces Review On Personal Emergency Leave.
Changing Workplace Review Submission, 2016
Ontario Campaign 2000 is encouraged that the Ontario government has taken steps to improve and update the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Employment Standards Act (ESA) as many low income families are engaged in low-wage, precarious work. Low income families have limited access to collective bargaining and many are not fully covered under the ESA due to various exemptions, exclusions or limited ability to assert the ESA rules due to the power imbalance they experience as employees in relation to their employers, for fear of reprisal or job loss. Raising the minimum standards within the ESA will help to ensure all families and children will have a more prosperous and healthy future that is free from poverty. Read Submission to the Changing Workplaces Review.
Ontario Pre-Budget Submission, 2016
The Ontario government has committed to reducing the number of children living in poverty in the province. Prioritizing children and youth has led to many important policies and programs in Ontario, including the Ontario Child Benefit. But there is much more to do for the children and families of our province. With a willing partner at the federal level, Ontario must seize the opportunity to do its part to close the book on child poverty. In order to be effective in reducing child and family poverty rates, the current poverty reduction strategy requires further strategic investments through Budget 2016. Read our full submission.
Changing Workplaces Review, 2015
Ontario Campaign 2000 Calls for a Multi-Pronged Anti-Poverty Strategy in the Current Changing Workplaces Review, Sep 11th, 2015
While we understand the scope of this Review is limited, we urge the Ontario government to adopt a more holistic approach to examining the issues around the Employment Standards Act and related Acts as well as recognize the fact we need to address some of the more systemic issues in this review. Read submission
Ontario Campaign 2000 Pre-budget Submission, 2015
With the introduction of Ontario’s second Poverty Reduction Strategy, Ontario Campaign 2000 urges the province to invest in and implement programs associated with the new strategy without delay. Building on the progress that has been made, and improving the lives of all Ontarians needs to be the priority for Budget 2015. Read the pre-budget submission.
Ontario Campaign 2000 on the New Poverty Reduction, 2014
The new Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy was released on September 3, 2014. Read our response to the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Child support rule changes for families on social assistance, 2014
Ontario Campaign 2000 and other organizations released open letter pressing for child support rule changes for families on social assistance on Apr 16th, 2014. Read the full version of the letter to Minister McMeekin, Minister Piruzza and Minister Sousa.
Recommendations for Poverty Reduction Strategy 2.0
Ontario Campaign 2000 made a submission of policy recommendations regarding the next Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy, that we expected would be announced in December 2013. To learn more about our proposals, read Poverty Reduction Strategy 2.0 submission.
A Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario, July 2007
Ontario Campaign 2000 was among one of the first coalitions to welcome the province’s move to put poverty reduction work on the legislative process early on. It also released a Discussion Paper soon after the Ontario government came out with its first 5-year poverty reduction strategy: A Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario.