The rest of the NL links below are in reverse chronological order.

Newfoundland and Labrador
Market Basket Measure (NLMBM)
Thanks to an anonymous newsletter subscriber for pointing out that Newfoundland and Labrador's new customized Market Basket Measure doesn't appear on the Antipoverty Links page of this website. In my haste to share the link to the First Progress Report on the NL Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF - 4MB, 76 pages, December 2009) in last week's Canadian Social Research Newsletter, I skimmed past the section on the NLMBM in that report. According to my subscriber's email, "... NL has developed their own variation on the market basket measure, the NLMBM, which uses tax data rather than surveys, and therefore purports to capture the entire population. They've also developed a NLMBM of Housing Affordability. Part of what's interesting is that they've got gender analysis embedded in the NLMBM data that's being developed - not a claim that can be made about any of the other poverty measures."
---
I can't find any technical information on the NLMBM online at this point in time (Dec. 22/09),
but I've pulled together a few tidbits of information from NL reports that might pique your curiosity if you're interested in poverty measurement.

The Newfoundland and Labrador
Market Basket Measure (NLMBM):

In the 2006 Action Plan:
[ Reducing Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages), 2006]
...a commitment was made to improve capacity to measure and track progress in poverty reduction.
[Excerpts] A major innovation has been the development of the Newfoundland and Labrador Market Basket Measure (NLMBM). This new measure uses a similar approach to the federal government's Market Basket Measure (MBM). Like the MBM, it compares the incomes of families to the cost of a basket of goods and services necessary to live a productive and socially inclusive life. Unlike the MBM and all other available measures of low-income that use surveys to estimate low-income levels, the NLMBM uses tax-filer data and other sources to provide more accurate income and expense information for all tax-filers. This allows for the reporting of low-income levels in communities and neighbourhoods, as well as results for other subgroups such as different age groups or family types. This is important because it allows for the tracking of progress for different parts of the province as well as for different vulnerable groups so that it can be ensured that PRS is working for all. The NLMBM is available on Community Accounts [ www.communityaccounts.ca]

The NLMBM is developed and maintained by the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency.
In future years, NLMBM depth, persistence and other indicators of low income will be reported as they become available.

NOTE: For more info on the NLMBM, see Appendix II of the first progress report (PDF - 4MB, 76 pages, December 2009) or
request information from povertyreduction@gov.nl.ca

Related link:

Newfoundland and Labrador
Poverty Reduction Strategy
The Poverty Reduction Strategy is a Government-wide approach to transform Newfoundland and Labrador from a province with the most poverty to one with the least over a ten year period. The strategy includes initiatives and programs which target the groups most vulnerable to poverty.
- includes * Poverty Reduction Initiatives * Guiding Principles * Documents and News Releases * Partner Departments and Agencies
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

First Progress Report Shows Significant Results in Province’s Fight Against Poverty
News Release
December 14, 2009
Newfoundland and Labrador has realized significant improvement in the overall level of poverty since 2003. In fact, Newfoundland and Labrador has moved from being a province with one of the highest levels of poverty in Canada to the province with the third lowest level. Today, the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and lead Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, released Empowering People - Engaging Community - Enabling Success: First Progress Report on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. This document demonstrates that through the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Williams Government is meeting its commitment to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Complete report:

Empowering People - Engaging Community - Enabling Success:
First Progress Report on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF - 4MB, 76 pages)
This report provides a summary of progress achieved towards meeting the goals and objectives of the 2006-10 Poverty Reduction Strategy Action Plan:
1. Progress towards improved access to and coordination of services for people with low income
2. Progress towards a stronger social safety net
3. Progress towards improved earned incomes
4. Progress towards an increased emphasis on early childhood development
5. Progress towards a better educated population

Source:
Dept. of Human Resources, Labour and Employment

---

Related media reports (Dec. 14-15/09)

Province Making Progress on Reducing Poverty: Report
http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&ID=3174

N.L. report on poverty says there are 30,000 fewer poor people in province
http://www.canadaeast.com/rss/article/889226

Report indicates province winning in fight against poverty
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=310583&sc=79

Poverty down in Newfoundland and Labrador
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/rss/article/890138

N.L. poverty levels down significantly: report
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/12/14/nl-poverty-down-1214.html

[ Thanks to Jennefer Laidley of the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) for finding and sharing these links. ]

Income Support Benefits Enhanced as Part of Poverty Reduction Strategy
April 9, 2009
The Williams Government has increased basic income support benefits by $4.3 million annually. This increase, effective April 1, is part of Budget 2009’s $132.2 million investment in poverty reduction initiatives and is in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In March 2006, the Provincial Government announced it would tie income support rates to the CPI to ensure that cost of living increases are factored into the amount an individual or family receives through basic income support benefits. In doing so, Newfoundland and Labrador became one of only two provinces in Canada at the time to link its income support rates to cost of living increases.
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

Standing Strong in the Fight Against Poverty
March 26, 2009
News Release
The Williams Government continues to stand strong and lead the way in its fight against poverty by investing $132.2 million in Budget 2009 to help individuals and families with low incomes. The 18 new significant initiatives announced today will help realize the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy’s commitment of becoming the jurisdiction with the lowest poverty rates in Canada by 2014.
Source:
Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2009

Consultations Helping to Advance the Poverty Reduction Strategy
November 13, 2008
Over the past month, the Provincial Government hosted consultations on the poverty reduction strategy across the province. There were 32 public and community roundtable stakeholder sessions held. Local residents and community group leaders attended the sessions and provided a significant contribution of their time and thoughtful insight in support of the further advancement of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. This marks the end of this phase of the consultations. However, consultation submissions are being accepted up to December 15, 2008. All residents are encouraged to share their views by calling 1-866-883-6600 or going to www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/poverty/index.html
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Launches Poverty Reduction Consultations
October 16, 2008
The Provincial Government is planning a series of public consultations to strengthen its Poverty Reduction Strategy. This will include a series of public sessions, round tables, focus groups, and a website. These consultations are designed to engage individuals living in poverty, the community and the general public in a dialogue on the strategy’s themes, goals and objectives. (...) The Provincial Government will hold public consultation sessions and roundtables in 15 communities across the nine rural secretariat regions of the province. Individuals and groups can also provide their feedback and views. [click the link above for other means of providing input into the consultation]
The deadline for consultation submissions is December 15, 2008.

2008 Consultations
In 2006, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released Reducing Poverty: An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages). This Action Plan was developed with input from community-based organizations, business, labour and people living in and vulnerable to poverty. The Poverty Reduction Strategy outlines Government’s plan to transform Newfoundland and Labrador from a province with the most poverty to one with the least, within 10 years. Over three budget cycles, and on an ongoing yearly basis, the Provincial Government is investing over $100 million in initiatives aimed to prevent, reduce and alleviate poverty. The Provincial Government has also improved many programs and services. The Provincial Government is now planning for the next phase of the strategy.
- incl. links to more info on:
* Understanding Poverty * Role for the Provincial Government * Progress to Date * Key Themes * Review of Goals and Objectives * Questions for Consideration * Participate in the Consultation Process * * Annex 1 - Groups Helped by Poverty Reduction Strategy * Annex 2 - Description of Poverty Reduction Strategy Initiatives

Poverty Reduction Strategy
2008 Consultation Booklet (PDF - 792K, 36 pages)

Source:
Dept. of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
[ Govt. of Newfoundland and Labrador ]

New Poverty Reduction Benefits Now in Effect
News Release
July 7, 2008
The Provincial Government is moving forward with a series of investments to improve social benefits and improve equality for individuals and families. Effective July 1, an additional $2 million in benefits under the Poverty Reduction Strategy are being provided to strengthen the social safety net. In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government announced an investment of $12 million in new poverty reduction initiatives. That brings the total ongoing annual investment in poverty reduction to more than $100 million.
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to
Invest to Lead the Country in Poverty Reduction Initiatives
The Williams Government continues to act on its commitment to alleviate, prevent and reduce poverty in the province with new measures that focus on improving earned incomes, strengthening the social safety net and supporting youth at risk. Budget 2008 provides an additional $9.6 million in new Poverty Reduction Strategy initiatives and this funding is in addition to the $2.4 million announced April 1 to index basic income support rates. That brings the total investment in the current fiscal year to $12 million and once fully implemented in 2009-10, the Provincial Government’s annual investment in poverty reduction will be more than $100 million.
Source:
News Releases - links to 11 news releases related to Budget 2008
[ Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2008 April 29, 2008 ]

New Poverty Reduction Benefits Now in Effect
News Release
July 7, 2008
The Provincial Government is moving forward with a series of investments to improve social benefits and improve equality for individuals and families. Effective July 1, an additional $2 million in benefits under the Poverty Reduction Strategy are being provided to strengthen the social safety net. In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government announced an investment of $12 million in new poverty reduction initiatives. That brings the total ongoing annual investment in poverty reduction to more than $100 million.

Government Increases Income Support Benefits
April 1, 2008
In accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effective today April 1, the Williams Government, as part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), is increasing basic income support benefits by $2.4 million annually. (...) The PRS is focused on reducing, alleviating and preventing poverty in the province. Over a 10-year period, Newfoundland and Labrador intends to move from the jurisdiction with the highest poverty rates to one with the lowest in Canada.

Province Supports Tax Measures and Support Trusts for People with Disabilities
News Release
March 31, 2008
The Provincial Government has amended regulations to support improvements to the tax system for individuals with low incomes, and people with disabilities and their families by exempting both the federal Working Income Tax Benefit and the Registered Disability Saving Plan from the calculation of Income Support benefits. The two exemptions are effective April 1, 2008.

Opposition Fails to Understand Poverty Reduction Strategy
June 14, 2007
News Release
The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said he is disappointed with claims by the Opposition that government is failing in the fight against poverty in our province.

Government Increases Basic Income Support Benefits
March 30, 2007
Effective April 1, government will fulfill another key commitment to poverty reduction by providing an additional $3 million annually to further increase basic income support. This will be accomplished by tying the basic income support rate to the provincial consumer price index (CPI) which means an increase of 1.8 per cent.

Budget 2007 - A vision of opportunity with New Actions to Address Poverty

Budget 2006 - The Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance

Related Documents
(including a summary of strategy development workshops held in the fall of 2005, the background report and workbook and a link to the Action Plan itself (copied immediately below).

Reducing Poverty : An Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, June 2006 (PDF file - 1.6MB, 60 pages)
The final report
"The 2005 Speech from the Throne (PDF file - 266K, p. 22) affirmed Government’s Blueprint commitment to transform Newfoundland and Labrador over a ten-year period from a province with the most poverty to a province with the least poverty."

Reducing Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Background Report and Workbook (2005)

News Releases - links to dozens of news releases on the Poverty Reduction Strategy from 2005 to 2008

Province reaffirms commitment to poverty reduction
News Release
May 26, 2006
Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, is pleased to announce the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has decided that Income Support (social assistance) payments will not be affected by the introduction of the new federal Universal Child Care Benefit. (...) The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is developing an integrated poverty reduction strategy. Budget 2006 included a significant investment to help people move ahead and break the cycle of poverty. (...) The full strategy will be released later this spring.

Increased income support rates will add up to reduced poverty: Minister*
March 29, 2006
News Release
Budget 2006 will make major investments in a broad range of programs and services that will help the working poor, youth-at-risk, and families with low incomes, says Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction strategy.
[*NOTE: as part of its increased supports to people in need, the provincial govt. will start indexing welfare benefit levels as of 2007-08; rates will be tied to the Newfoundland and Labrador Consumer Price Index. Québec is the only other Canadian jurisdiction that indexes its rates every year based on the prevailing rate of inflation. This is a sound policy that prevents households receiving welfare from falling further behind because of ongoing increases in the cost of living. Congratulations, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, on this progressive social policy!]

March 30, 2006
The Right Choices: Reducing Poverty; Increasing Self Reliance
(part of Budget 2006 - March 30/06)
Departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, Health and Community Services and Education
- includes a backgrounder with more detailed info
"The Williams government is removing barriers to employment and providing assistance to those who need it most through a sweeping investment in initiatives designed to combat poverty, announced Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and the lead minister for government’s poverty reduction strategy. Budget 2006 outlines government’s integrated approach to poverty reduction, unveiling investments of over $30.5 million in 2006-07 and $62 million annually to support an expanded eligibility for the prescription drug program, the elimination of school fees, increases to income support programs, and enhanced Adult Basic Education (ABE) offerings. This initial phase of the poverty reduction strategy is a strong basis for meeting government’s pledge to significantly reduce poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador."

Poverty Reduction Strategies in Quebec and in Newfoundland and Labrador
26 October 2007
Source:
Parliamentary Research Library
(Government of Canada)

Report on poverty reduction workshops rich with insights
News Release
December 20, 2005
"A report on what was heard in workshops about poverty across Newfoundland and Labrador illustrates how broad and complex the challenge of reducing poverty is, says Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. (...) In the 2005 Speech from the Throne and Budget, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to develop a comprehensive, government-wide poverty reduction strategy. Funding of $200,000 was committed in March 2005 to develop this strategy. The consultants’ report on workshops held this summer is one component of this work."

Complete report:

Report on Workshop Sessions on the Development of a Poverty Reduction Strategy (241K, 61 pages)
October 2005
Prepared by management consultants Goss Gilroy Inc.

Related Link:

Building pathways to poverty reduction - (backgrounder about the government’s strategic approach to reducing poverty)
March 21, 2005
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, said today that several Budget 2005 measures help lessen poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador, including funding for the development of a strategic plan on addressing the issue of poverty."
- highlights include a two-part increase in income support (welfare) for couples and single clients without children (1% in July 2005 and 1% in January 2006), a 10% increase in the earnings exemption level and more funds for employment-related activities for people with disabilities, for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit and for "a second pilot project to assist single parents in receipt of income support prepare for, find and keep employment."

-------------------------------------------------

Reducing Poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador - Background Report and Workbook (PDF file - 1.5MB, 44 pages)
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
June 2005
"In the 2005 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador committed to refine and implement a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy in collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside the government. This document is designed to provide readers with background information on poverty in the province, current initiatives being undertaken by the provincial government and ideas for future action."
Selected content from the background report:
Poverty and its Determinants - Profile of those Living in Poverty - Low income in Newfoundland and Labrador - Incidence of Poverty - Rural and Urban Poverty - Depth of Poverty - Persistence - Factors Influencing Poverty - The Provincial Labour Market - Current Initiatives of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Income Support (welfare) Program - Career, Employment and Youth Services - Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB) - Low Income Tax Reduction Program - Initiatives for Children and Families - Initiatives to Increase Women’s Economic Security - Minimum Wage - Housing Supports - What Are other Jurisdictions Doing to Reduce Poverty? (Quebec, rest of Canada, Ireland, Scotland) - Recommendations from Community-Based Groups - Tax Relief - Asset Building Approaches - Finding the Right Policy Mix - more...
+ workbook for citizens to complete and return to the provincial government.

Work on the development of a provincial poverty strategy kicks into high gear
News Release
June 24, 2005
Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced that workshops will begin today on the development of a strategy to reduce the level of poverty in Newfoundland and Labrador. The sessions, to be held in approximately 10 communities over a two-week period, will engage those working with community-based, labour and business organizations and is just one of several activities planned to gather input on how best to reduce poverty in the province."

Preparing our youth for success
March 21, 2005
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, says Budget 2005 places a renewed focus on the young people of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially those youth who live in poverty and who rely on income support. 'Low education levels, a lack of a high school diploma and limited work experience are key characteristics of a dependence on income support from one generation to the next and a cycle of poverty,' said Minister Burke. 'In 2003 youth, 18 to 29 years old, represented one-quarter of the income support caseload and almost 50 per cent of all new entrants. These numbers are alarming and are an indication of many complex issues that require a focused, coordinated approach.'"

Minimum wage earners in Newfoundland and Labrador to see increase in pay
News Release
January 6, 2005
"Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced today that government has approved a $1 increase to the province’s minimum wage. The increase will be implemented in four 25 cent increments over a two-year period. (...) The minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently $6 per hour. That wage will increase by 25 cents to $6.25 effective June 1, 2005, to $6.50 effective January 1, 2006, to $6.75 effective June 1, 2006 and to $7 effective January 1, 2007."
Related Links: go to the Minimum Wage Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/minwage.htm

New Income and Employment Support Act and Regulations
News Release
December 7, 2004
"The new Income and Employment Support Act and the accompanying Income and Employment Support Regulations (...) replace the outdated Social Assistance Act and Regulations which have been in effect since 1977. The new act better reflects the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment’s two major areas of responsibility: providing income support in a stable dignified manner to eligible individuals and families; and delivering programs and services that support individuals in achieving their employment and career goals.

Income and Employment Support Act, S.N.L. 2002, c. I-0.1
(proclaimed November 30, 2004)

Income and Employment Support Regulations
(O.C. 2004-461 - Filed November 26, 2004 )

Related Links:

Income and Employment Support Act introduced in House of Assembly
November 19, 2002
- incl. backgrounder : the consultation process, key changes, next steps

Department moves to next step of Redesign Initiative
News Release
May 11, 2004
- consolidation of 20 district welfare offices, redeployment of staff, total number of actual layoffs ~30 staff throughout the province

Mothers and families encouraged to take advantage of Mother Baby Nutrition Supplement
New Release
July 7, 2003

Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit rate increase
July 4, 2003

Pilot project great support for single parents
News Release
March 18, 2003
"An evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP), a five-year pilot project administered by the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and open to clients in seven HRE offices in the North East Avalon region, concludes that the innovative project is a great asset in assisting single parents in receipt of income support to enter and remain in the workforce."
Complete report:
Summative Evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP) Final Report (PDF file - 160K, 93 pages)
June 2002

Income and Employment Support Act introduced in House of Assembly
November 19, 2002

Minister announces changes to current income support regulations
November 19, 2002

Minister announces consultation findings
August 5, 2002
News Release
Human Resources and Employment
"Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, released today the Report of a Consultation on the Social Assistance Act. The report is a summary of the department’s community consultations concerning the review of the Social Assistance Act and Regulations. The findings from these consultations will assist the Department of Human Resources and Employment as it drafts the new legislation."
- this news release includes a detailed backgrounder
Report of a Consultation on the Social Assistance Act (PDF file - 317K, 66 pages)
Related Links - links to the above report, plus the January 2002 discussion paper, Workbook ("Tell Us What You Think") and relevant legislation

Minister releases report on supported employment (for persons with developmental disabilities)
May 9, 2002
Human Resources and Employment
"Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, today released an evaluation of his department’s Supported Employment Initiative."
Summative Evaluation of the Supported Employment Initiative (PDF file - 412K, 142 pages)

Budget 2002-2003 News Releases
March 21, 2002
Changes to NLCB help low income families
For the second consecutive year, low income families with children will be able to earn more money and still qualify for the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit (NLCB). Department’s innovative changes continue
With a series of recent initiatives, the Department of Human Resources and Employment continues its major redesign of programs and services to assist persons on social assistance achieve independence and extend support to low income working families.
Backgrounders

- Social Assistance Review - province-wide public consultations now underway, scheduled for completion in April - new legislation to be tabled in the fall 2002
- Employment Assistance Programs - info about NewfoundJOBS - Linkages Youth Employment - Supported Employment - Single Parent Employment Support Program - Employability Assistance for People with Disabilities - more...

Review of Social Assistance Act under way
Press Release
January 7, 2002
"Gerald Smith, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, announced today the beginning of a review process which will help in updating the department's Social Assistance Act and Regulations. This is the first review of the legislation in its entirety since 1977.
(...)
Following the consultation process, which should conclude early this spring, the information gathered will be used when drafting the new Social Assistance Act and Regulations. The new legislation is expected to be introduced in late 2002."

Government committed to reducing child poverty in province
News Release
December 7, 2001
"... government’s commitment to addressing the issue [of child poverty] as demonstrated by the significant range of initiatives undertaken in recent years..."
- includes a brief snapshot of almost a dozen such initiatives - social assistance redesign, the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Benefit, Early Childhood Development and other health and literacy programs for children

Changes in legislation benefit people living with disability
News Release
October 26, 2001
Government has approved the necessary regulatory changes recommended by the Departments of Human Resources and Employment and Health and Community Services to exempt support trusts when determining eligibility for social assistance and supportive services for people living with a disability.

Minister gives update on redesign initiatives
Human Resources and Employment 
October 10, 2000 
Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment, announced today the latest details on initiatives designed to improve service for income support clients. The initiatives, which went into effect on October 1, include an extended drug card for singles and families without children, a new liquid assets policy, and a revised rate structure for singles over 29. On an annual basis, these supports are valued at $1.7 million. More...

Implementation of Province’s Strategic Social Plan–on target, on time, says Bettney
July 7, 2000 
The SSP is a vision for social change developed by and for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador

New initiatives announced
Human Resources and Employment 
May 15, 2000 
"...three new initiatives designed to help reduce barriers to employment and make it easier for people on income support to enter or return to the workforce"
- incl. an extended drug card for singles and families without children, a new liquid assets policy, and a revised rate structure for singles over 29. 
All three measures are effective October 1, 2000 

Strategic Social Plan demonstration projects approved 
July 23, 1999 
Funding available for Strategic Social Plan demonstration projects
May 4, 1999 
Statement by the Minister of Human Resources and Employment concerning
Demonstration Projects under the Strategic Social Plan
May 4, 1999 

March 1999 Budget: 
- Income support and employment initiatives
- New Low Income Seniors' Benefit introduced

Initiatives to improve the financial position of social assistance clients
(January 29,1999) 

Strategic Social Plan (December 1, 1998 Press Release) 

First meeting of Premier's Council on Social Development
Strategic Social Plan Welfare Reform - October 26, 1998 (Executive Council) 

Premier Unveils Strategic Social Plan
(Press Release, August 31, 1998) 

The Strategic Social Plan (SSP) - 1998 blueprint for welfare reform
- includes links to the full report (large file, available only in .PDF format), the press release, application forms for funding of demonstration projects under SSP and the SSP newsletter 

Report of the Social Policy Advisory Committee (April 1, 1997)

- Go to the Newfoundland and Labrador Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nfbkmrk.htm

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The links below are in reverse chronological order.
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Stop clawback of child benefits, P.E.I. urged
November 12, 2009
The P.E.I. government needs to stop clawing back the National Child Benefit from families on social assistance, the National Council of Welfare says. The council, an arms-length advisory group for the federal minister of human resources, notes P.E.I. is now in a minority among the provinces in clawing back the federal benefit. On the Island the money counts as income and is deducted from what a family receives from the province. (...) The National Council of Welfare was joined in its call by the P.E.I. Advisory Council on the Status of Women. In June, the Advisory Council produced a report card looking at the provincial government's progress on certain issues, including the clawback of the National Child Benefit.
Source:
CBC PEI

Related links:

National Council of Welfare
The National Council of Welfare (NCW) is an arm's length advisory body to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development on matters of concern to low-income Canadians.

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From the
PEI Advisory Council
on the Status of Women:

PEI Equality Report Card (PDF - 403K, 20 pages)
June 2009
During the 2007 election, the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women introduced its plan for an Equality Report Card for PEI, and in June 2008, we published the first, pilot report. The Equality Report Card is a process to assess our Province’s progress towards women’s equality goals.
(...)
We urge the government to consult and collaborate with community-based organizations to develop a Poverty Reduction Strategy like those in other provinces. We see the three priority areas below as key elements of Poverty Reduction:
* Improvements to the Employment Standards Act * Investment in affordable, accessible, appropriate housing (incl. housing for seniors and persons with disabilities * Increase direct allowances to social services recipients to
cover all of their basic needs.
(...)
There has been no action towards the promised Poverty Reduction Strategy to consider how we are doing across the province and across departments to assist people who live in poverty. There is no political will to name the problem of poverty and to provide poverty reduction initiatives. The full-time position in government that is meant to be dedicated to Poverty Reduction has been vacant for over a year.

Source:
PEI Advisory Council
on the Status of Women
The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women was established to advise the Minister Responsible with respect to matters relating to the status of women, the development of public awareness regarding issues affecting women, and the promotion of change in attitudes within the community in order that women may enjoy an equality of opportunity.
[ Related Press Release : Government Earns a C on 2009 Equality Report Card - June 16, 2009 ]

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Social advocate encouraged by
commitment to poverty eradication strategy
February 24, 2009
By Jim Day
Talk is cheap when poverty eradication is on the table.
Yet Mary Boyd, one of the province’s most determined social advocates, liked what she heard from those in power last week.
Premier Robert Ghiz and Health and Social Services and Seniors Minister Doug Currie made a brief appearance Thursday at a workshop held by Island organizations Poverty Bites and the MacKillop Centre for Social Justice aimed at renewing efforts for action on the seemingly insurmountable goal of eliminating poverty in P.E.I.
Ghiz urged the group to not let up on government in pushing for change.
“It is important to stay at the forefront of issues,” he told the gathering that consisted of many people Boyd described as the voice of those suffering in poverty.
Source:
The Charlottetown Guardian

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The links below are in reverse chronological order.

Nova Scotia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty 2009 (PDF - 214K, 23 pages)
November 2009
While Nova Scotia remains within the group of provinces with lower rates of child poverty, policymakers and elected representatives (those with the power to legislate the end of poverty) must act quickly and decisively to expand the progress achieved in recent years. Specific, targeted policies are needed to ensure that poverty rates and gaps are The Nova Scotia Child Poverty Report Card 2009 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives–Nova Scotia 18 reduced for particular groups where there is greater risk of children and their families being exposed to poverty and the potential harm it carries. Most notably, income assistance rates need to be increased to a level that will provide families with children, who depend on welfare income, an annual income that will raise families out of poverty.

15,000 Nova Scotia children still in poverty
Press Release
November 23, 2009
HALIFAX, NS - Nova Scotia Child Poverty Report Cards have recorded changes in child poverty since 1999. Each annual card has tracked progress on the government of Canada’s 1989 promise to end child poverty. The report released today, by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Nova Scotia, is the tenth card, and is being released on the 20th anniversary of Canada’s promise to eliminate poverty by the year 2000.

Source:
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) - Nova Scotia Office
[ CCPA National Office ]

Related link
Campaign 2000

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A Poverty Reduction Strategy for Nova Scotia (PDF - 47K, 9 pages)
By Sherri Torjman
November 2009
In December 2007, the Government of Nova Scotia passed Bill 94, An Act to Establish a Poverty Reduction Working Group in Nova Scotia. The mandate of the Working Group was to prepare a report recommending strategies and priorities to reduce poverty. Based on the recommendations of the Working Group, the Government of Nova Scotia released on April 3, 2009 its Poverty Reduction Strategy entitled Preventing Poverty, Promoting Prosperity. The Strategy puts forward a framework for tackling the needs of persons living in and at risk of falling into poverty, while promoting prosperity for the province. Preventing Poverty, Promoting Prosperity is a multi-year plan with four main goals: enable and reward work, invest in households in need, focus on children, and coordinate and collaborate. The paper describes the various measures that have been undertaken or are being planned in order to achieve each of these goals.
Source:
Caledon Institute of Social Policy

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N.S. anti-poverty plan focuses on housing, retraining
April 3, 2009
The Nova Scotia government is promising to spend millions of dollars on new housing and retraining as part of a multi-year strategy to reduce poverty. Community Services Minister Chris d'Entremont said the idea is to help low-income Nova Scotians by giving them proper shelter and a chance to get a job. Under the $155-million plan, people on income assistance only get a modest increase to offset the cost of living.
Source:
CBC Nova Scotia

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The Poverty Reduction Strategy Working Group has handed
government its recommendations on how to best tackle poverty in Nova Scotia
News Release
June 26, 2008
Group members come from organizations representing diverse interests, many of which work with people struggling with poverty. The group met every two weeks over the winter and spring to develop recommendations for the province's poverty reduction strategy. It presented its recommendations to Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services, and Mark Parent, Minister of Labour and Workforce Development, co-leads for the strategy, at a meeting today, June 26.
(...)
Recommendations from the group include improving access to transportation, education and training for low-income Nova Scotians, more support for the disabled, a continued increase in supports to families during the early years of a child's life, a consolidation and enhancement of low-income pharmacare programs, and a change in description of the Employment and Income Assistance Program from a program of last resort to a simple program of support.

Complete report:

Report of the Nova Scotia
Poverty ReductionWorking Group (PDF - 129K, 41 pages)
Draft dated June 26
Target Areas for Action:
* Awareness and Engagement * Employment Supports and Income * Disability Issues * Transportation
* Education and Skills Training * Housing * Child Care and Early Childhood Development * Health

Results of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Questionnaire:
A summary of the public consultation on
poverty reduction in Nova Scotia (PDF - 333K, 17 pages)
May 2008

Source:
Department of Community Services

Related link:

Fighting poverty: Major attitude shift needed
By Katherine Reed
July 10, 2008
The Working Group on Poverty Reduction appointed by the province last December released its draft report recently and immediately invoked the ire of activists by insisting on waiting for a year to actually take action. In a July 1 article in The Chronicle Herald, Wayne McNaughton, co-chair of Community Action on Homelessness, pointedly asked why this was the case and why the government was not ready with costed-out proposals to respond to the report. Why indeed? The measures required to meaningfully address poverty in Nova Scotia are substantial and would only come about as a result of a massive change of attitude and approach. I wonder if anyone has the stomach for it, frankly.
Source:
The Chronicle-Herald (Halifax)

-----------------------------------------

From the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services:

Government Seeks Public Input on Poverty Strategy
News Release
March 5, 2008
The province is inviting the public to share ideas on how to best tackle poverty in Nova Scotia. People are encouraged to fill out a questionnaire on what types of actions can be taken to reduce poverty. The public consultations will help government develop a long-term poverty-reduction strategy for Nova Scotia. The initiative is being co-led by the departments of Community Services and Environment and Labour, in co-operation with a poverty-reduction strategy working group. The group, made up of organizations with diverse interests, will make recommendations on strategy content and implementation.

There are three ways the public can share comments:
-- Fill out a short questionnaire at http://gov.ns.ca/coms/poverty.
-- Fill out the questionnaire at any provincial government building, Department of Community Services office or Access Nova Scotia location.
-- Request a questionnaire or share thoughts by calling, toll-free, 1-888-825-2111.

In November, the first phase of consultations was held with representatives from a diverse range of provincial organizations interested in the fight against poverty. The questionnaire is phase two of the consultations. The public's comments will be added to information gathered from consultations across government on a variety of issues that affect poverty.

NOTE : The consultation ended in March, 2008.

Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy:
A request for input on how to tackle poverty in Nova Scotia
[ version française ]

A message from the Honourable Judy Streatch,
Minister of Community Services

A message from the Honourable Mark Parent,
Minister of Environment and Labour

Poverty Backgrounder
Research and statistics about poverty in Nova Scotia, including:.
* How is poverty measured in Canada? * What is the low-income cut-off (LICO)? * In Nova Scotia, how many people live in low-income? What about children? * How do Nova Scotia's low-income statistics compare with the rest of Canada? * What are some characteristics of Nova Scotia's low-income population? * Where does Nova Scotia's low-income population live? * Is there any way to tell how poor low-income Nova Scotians are? * Social Trends in Nova Scotia - 2007 * Statistical Links

Related links:

Our Kids Are Worth It: Strategy for Children and Youth
December 3, 2007

Our Framework for Social Prosperity - Weaving the Threads: A Lasting Social Fabric
November 30, 2007

Government to Hold Poverty Reduction Consultations
October 10, 2007
(starting November 1)
The provincial government will hold a series of consultations this fall designed to get the community's input on how to best tackle poverty in Nova Scotia. The consultations will be part of the government's development of a poverty strategy for Nova Scotia. The initiative will be co-led by the departments of Community Services and Environment and Labour.
Source:
Department of Community Services

Poverty fight needs credibility
October 15, 2007
Many Nova Scotians would agree that the province needs a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy, especially to improve the lot of the 19,000 children living below what’s conventionally regarded as the poverty line. But now that the government is promising to develop, one the question is how sincere the Tories are and when we might see such a thing implemented.
The government is planning a two-day consultation with anti-poverty groups and other experts for Nov. 1 and 2, after which a public consultation is planned as well. The government has been studying anti-poverty strategies in jurisdictions such as Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ireland.
Source:
The Cape Breton Post

Framework for a Poverty Reduction Strategy in Nova Scotia (PDF - 351K, 38 pages)
October 17, 2007
"(...) The framework includes the context, key concepts and strategies that will be necessary to reduce poverty in Nova Scotia."
Source:
Nova Scotia Poverty Reduction Strategy Coalition

- Go to the Nova Scotia Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nsbkmrk.htm

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[The links below are in reverse chronological order.]

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New Brunswick Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 445K, 12 pages)
November 2009
In November 2009, New Brunswick joined the ranks of provinces that have adopted comprehensive poverty reduction strategies. Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan has set a target of reducing income poverty by 25% and deep income poverty by 50% by the year 2015.

Version française:
Rapport sur la pauvreté des enfants et des
familles au Nouveau Brunswick • 2009 (PDF - 456Ko., 12 pages)
Novembre 2009

Source:
Human Development Council - Saint John

Related link
Campaign 2000

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From the
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal:

Poverty plan deserves support
November 17, 2009
By Peter Smith
Almost lost amid the din of the war of words over the proposed sale of NB Power is a plan that has both the premier and the leader of the Opposition sitting at the same table. New Brunswick's first poverty reduction plan was announced in Saint John late last week. This represents a significant move towards helping some of the province's most vulnerable citizens. (...) The statistics on poverty change little from year to year and always seem grim. According to figures available on the Social Development website, more than 100,000 New Brunswickers live in poverty. More than 13,000 single parents live in poverty, and that figure represents 45 per cent of all single parents. More than 23,000 children are living in poverty in this province, which is about one in every six children. About one in 10 senior citizens live in poverty, and about 39,000 New Brunswickers are on social assistance.

Bring an end to poverty
November 16, 2009
In August, the provincial Poverty Reduction Initiative released a landmark report [ A Choir of Voices - The What Was Said Report ]. Drawing upon the testimony of more than 2,500 people, it gave voice to the frustration and isolation experienced by those living on marginal incomes. It also called attention to the degree to which public policy has backfired, trapping families and communities in lives of hardship. The intent is to reduce poverty through co-ordinated action. On Friday, co-chairs Gerry Pond, Léo-Paul Pinet and Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock emerged from a two-day forum with a plan of action. Government, businesses, communities and non-profit groups must to pull together to accomplish its goal: a 25-per-cent reduction in poverty by 2015.

Cut the roots of poverty with a living wage
October 21, 2009
By Janice Harvey
Finally, poverty reduction is a legitimate public debate. Shawn Graham's government has embarked on a poverty reduction strategy, the preliminary results of which will be revealed sometime next month. PC Leader David Alward has recently announced the Conservatives will eliminate the so-called economic unit policy, increase the amount people can earn before being penalized on their welfare payments and adjust the way prescription drug coverage is handled.
(...) At a legislated minimum wage of $8.25 an hour, an individual can work the legislated work week of 40 hours and still fall below the poverty line. This should not be the case. This amounts to legislated poverty.
(...) Second, we have to consider those who cannot work, whether temporarily or permanently. Green parties from their inception have advocated for an annual guaranteed livable income. It's an idea whose time has come.
(...) A guaranteed annual income, sometimes called a negative income tax, replaces all the piecemeal, ineffective measures now administered by provincial agencies including welfare payments, various supplements, prescription drug coverage and many others. It treats people with dignity and provides a basic level of well-being across the community without discrimination. A living minimum wage and a guaranteed livable income for households are essential (but not the only) elements of a structurally fair economy. To not address them is to perpetuate the current structural injustice while trying to paper over its worst abuses.

---

From CBC New Brunswick:

N.B. unveils sweeping changes to social assistance
November 13, 2009
The provincial government is promising sweeping changes to its social assistance system as part of a new poverty-reduction plan. Some of the changes will take effect immediately, while others will be implemented over the next five years, Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock said Friday after a two-day poverty forum in Saint John. Social assistance rates will immediately increase by 80 per cent for people on the "lowest rung" of the system, who currently live on less than $300 a month, he said. It's unclear how many people are included in that "single, employable adults" category. A 2008 report by the National Council of Welfare found New Brunswick paid the lowest amount by far to members of that group in 2007 — $3,258 a year. That rate would have to double to reach the Atlantic provinces average, the report said.

New Brunswick poverty strategy coming: premier
Premier Shawn Graham says poverty reduction must involve business and education initiatives.
November 12, 2009
Changes to combat poverty in New Brunswick could be implemented during the next year, says Premier Shawn Graham. About 50 people representing the non-profit sector, industry and government gathered in Saint John on Thursday to talk about ways to reduce poverty in the province. It is the final in a series of forums held across New Brunswick during the past year to help develop a strategy to reduce poverty and drive social change.

Graham promises money for poverty issues
October 9, 2009
Premier Shawn Graham is committing to give Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock the money he needs to fix New Brunswick's welfare system. Lamrock criticized successive governments, including his own, in a speech Thursday in Saint John and said he wants to put an end to welfare policy that tries to push people off assistance simply to save money.

N.B. minister slams own government on poverty issues
Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock proposes changes
October 8, 2009
The New Brunswick government came under intense criticism for its handling of poverty issues Thursday, but not from the Opposition. Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock accused his own government of nickel-and-diming the poor and proposed some big, and likely expensive, changes. In an extraordinary speech to a group of Saint John business leaders, Lamrock trashed social assistance policies as being bureaucratic and designed exclusively to save money, not to help the poor.

---

New Brunswick: one step closer to a poverty reduction strategy
By Mariel Angus
August 11, 2009
In 2002, Quebec became the first province in Canada to introduce a poverty reduction strategy. Seven years later, four other provinces – Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia – have established strategies as well. Now, New Brunswick is one step closer to establishing its own strategy to reduce poverty for the approximately 100,740 people in the province living on low income.
Source:
Citizens for Public Justice

---

From New Brunswick Social Development:

Report on poverty reduction dialogue sessions released
August 6, 2009
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The leadership team of the New Brunswick Poverty Reduction Initiative has released A Choir of Voices - The What Was Said Report. The report summarizes public dialogue sessions held last winter as the first phase of Bringing the pieces together, the comprehensive public engagement initiative that aims to develop a poverty reduction plan for the province. (...) A Choir of Voices is the basis of discussions being held during Phase II of the initiative, during which participants in round-table sessions will develop options for how poverty can be reduced. This process is intended to ensure that the voices of New Brunswickers are heard.

A Choir of Voices - The "What Was Said" Report (PDF - 1MB, 57 pages)
June 2009
In preparation for moving ahead with Phase II of the public engagement initiative to develop a poverty reduction plan for New Brunswick, this report presents a summary of the input received from New Brunswick residents who participated in Phase I – The public dialogue. The comments are based on personal experiences. Throughout the dialogue a lack of education, income, job opportunities, and information about community supports and resources were heard often as the causes of poverty. In addition, many great solutions were suggested, and are summarized in this report.

News Release:
New Brunswickers invited to help reduce poverty
October 17, 2008
MONCTON (CNB) - The provincial government is inviting New Brunswickers to become involved in the development of a poverty reduction plan. (...) The province is launching a public engagement initiative called Bringing The Pieces Together, which will give New Brunswickers the opportunity to become involved in reducing and preventing poverty. This initiative, to be completed by the end of 2009, will be conducted in three stages: a dialogue phase; a round table phase; and a final forum phase. The result will be the publication of a poverty reduction plan for New Brunswick.

Booklet - A Poverty Reduction Plan (PDF - 267K, 8 pages)
October 2008
Background

Fact Check - Poverty in New Brunswick
October 2008
* People * Income * Costs * Employment / Pensions * Community Services

A snapshot of New Brunswick
October 2008
* People * Work * Education * Housing * Health * Community Services

Source:
New Brunswick Social Development

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---

Common Front for Social Justice (CFSJ) Press Conference (PDF - 113K, 3 pages)
October 30, 2008
"The Common Front for Social Justice [is] interested in the initiative presented by the Minister of Social Development in her endeavour to launch a Poverty Reduction Plan and for her decision to have public participation, including people living in poverty. However, let us be clear, the process to develop this plan will take over one year and there is nothing right now to address immediate problems. (...) We urge the present government to adopt immediate measures to alleviate the sufferings of people and to allow them to have a minimum amount of comfort throughout the winter months. In our view, the government must adopt measures, as soon as possible, in four specific areas:
- heating costs,
- current legislation regarding minimum wage,
- basic welfare rates, and
- housing assistance."
Source:
Press releases (links to 30 releases going back to 2003)
[ Common Front for Social Justice ]
The Common Front for Social Justice is fighting to build a more human society based on the respect and dignity of all. We want a New Brunswick without poverty. We want a society which give each and everyone a decent living, in particular by having a minimum wage and social income on which citizens can to live on and not just exist.
[ more CFSJ Documents ]

Poverty is everybody's business in N.B.
October 2, 2008
By Elsie Hambrook
Nasty prejudices still get in the way of concerted action on poverty. Some people paint all the poor with the same brush. They think the poor are "lazy" or "irresponsible", that if they made different choices, worked harder or "smarter", they could pull themselves out of poverty. Denial is also a stumbling block, as in "I'd never go on welfare, it'll never happen to me." The reality is that many people work full-time but earn less than the poverty line, juggle part-time or seasonal jobs, education and training along with family responsibilities and still can't make ends meet. For some New Brunswickers, poverty is as close as a few missed paycheques, the result of a separation or divorce for women, or of an illness or disability that strikes before the Old Age Pension kicks in.
Source:
Times & Transcript
[ Author Elsie Hambrook is the new Chairperson of the
New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women ]

Related link:

Shouldn't we have a plan to reduce poverty?
A Woman's View (PDF - 63K, 2 pages)
We should be hard-headed about poverty in New Brunswick – “hard-headed” as in focussed and scientific about finding and doing what works to eliminate poverty. Some current poverty programs, here and in other jurisdictions, may have the effect of keeping people poor, for all the care that goes into what gets called a “poverty program”. What is worse, effective programs may be undone by other initiatives, given the lack of coordination and of monitoring.
From the column by Ginette Petitpas-Taylor
Former Chairperson of the
New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women
in the Times & Transcript, July 17, 2008.

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NOTA: vous trouverez les liens ci-dessous en français sur la page de liens du Québec pour francophones:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/qcbkmrk.htm

----------------------------

National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
With its National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, under the theme, “The Will to Act, The Strength to Succeed”, the Québec government intends to progressively transform Québec, over a ten-year period, into one of the industrialized societies with the least poverty.
- incl. links to: * Summary of consultation process * Bill * Parliamentary committee * Useful links * Policy statement * Summary of policy statement * Report on government action

Source:
Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (English home page)

----------------------------

Among its many provisions, the statute establishes two related entities: a multisectoral advisory body to oversee the implementation of the Action Plan and an "observatory" where information on poverty and social exclusion is collected and disseminated. These two entities are discussed below.

Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale
(Advisory committee in the strategy against poverty, set up under the National Strategy)
- incl. links to : Comité consultatif (About) - Initiatives to combat poverty and social exclusion - Feedback - Press releases - Publications - Useful links
---
NOTE: The Comité consultatif is a public body whose role is to advise the Québec Minister responsible for the application of the Action Plan to combat poverty and social exclusion. This mission is not unlike that of the National Council of Welfare (NCW) at the federal government level with respect to the Minister responsible for Human Resources and Social Development Canada, that is, to represent the interests of all Canadians in offering counsel to the HRSDC Minister in all matters relating to social development. Both the Comité consultatif and the NCW carry out evaluations and other studies, and they present their views and and recommendations directly to the Minister responsible and also to the public. Both groups also monitor the social policies of their respective governments with a special focus on the impacts of new policies on the incidence of poverty and social exclusion.

Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion (CEPE)
(Centre for the study of poverty and exclusion)
The Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion is an observation, research and discussion centre entrusted with providing reliable and rigourous information, notably of a statistical nature, on poverty and social exclusion issues. Created within the context of the Act to combat poverty and social exclusion, the CEPE acts under the aegis of the Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MESS) and is managed in collaboration with a steering committee composed of members working in the academic research or government sector, or working with people who are experiencing poverty or social exclusion.
- incl. links to:
* Introduction to the CEPE * Statistics * Research activities * Publications * Lexicon * Useful links

Recent release from CEPE:

Taking the Measure of Poverty, Proposed indicators of poverty,
inequality and social exclusion to measure progress in Québec:
Advice to the Minister (PDF - 311K, 80 pages)
Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion
2009
One of the mandates of the Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion is to propose, to the minister of Emploi et Solidarité sociale, measures and indicators of poverty, inequality and social exclusion to measure progress in Québec in the implementation of the Act to combat poverty and social exclusion. This advice is a first proposition in that direction.
[ more reports by CEPE ]
Source:
Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion (English home page)
The Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion (CEPE) is an observation, research and discussion centre entrusted with providing reliable and rigourous information, notably of a statistical nature, on poverty and social exclusion issues. (...) One of the main mandates of the CEPE is to develop and recommend to the Minister a series of indicators to be used in measuring poverty and social exclusion and social and economic disparities, as well as other indicators of poverty.

Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CCLP) - English page
[Consultative Committee on the Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion]
"...The primary role of this committee is to advise the Government of Québec on the actions implemented under the National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion."

More selected reports from the
Centre d’étude sur la pauvreté et l’exclusion and the
Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale

Release of the first recommendation of the
Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale
April 3, 2008
Rates that exclude, solutions that unite
The advisory committee makes its first recommendation
Today, April 3, 2008, in Montréal, the chair of the Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l'exclusion sociale, Mr. Tommy Kulczyk, addressed the repercussions of rate increases on the living conditions of low-income individuals with the release of the advisory committee’s first recommendation. The committee illustrates how rate increases on basic commodities like heating, electricity and transportation compromise the ability of the impoverished and socially excluded to integrate society. These increases contribute to social exclusion by forcing these people to spend too much of their meagre resources on basic commodities and increasing their isolation.
The members of the advisory committee feel there is an urgent need to act on a situation that is creating a breach in the efforts made by Québec to fight poverty and social exclusion. The committee has drawn up eleven unifying recommendations comprising short-, medium- and long-term actions that are fully sustainable in approach.

L’urgence d’agir relativement aux répercussions des hausses tarifaires (PDF - 46K, 2 pages) - available in French only.
Communiqué
Montréal, le 3 avril 2008 – Le président du Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale, M. Tommy Kulczyk, a rendu public aujourd’hui le premier avis de cet organisme créé pour conseiller le ministre responsable de la mise en œuvre de la Loi visant à lutter contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale sur les actions à entreprendre pour lutter contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale. Cet avis s’intitule « Des tarifs qui excluent… Des solutions qui rassemblent ».

Les répercussions des hausses tarifaires sur les
conditions de vie des personnes à faible revenu (PDF - 1.1MB, 28 pages) - currently (April 6/08) available in French only (although a note on the inside cover page states that "this document is available in English; check the Committee's English home page to see if the English has now been posted on their site.)

Source:
Comité consultatif de lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale (CCLP) - (English home page)
[Consultative Committee on the Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion]

Related link:

Quebec poor getting poorer: report
April 3, 2008
By Kristy Rich
QUEBEC CITY - The Quebec government must do more to protect the buying power of the poor from the rising costs of living, says a government advisory commitee created to ensure the government is respecting its Anti-Poverty Law. Though the cost of electricity and public transit are increasing, committee Chair Tommy Kulcyzk says the government has not fully indexed welfare payments.(..) The report's 11 recommendations include compensating welfare recipients for the cost of increasing tariffs by comparative increases in their sales tax refund; and cutting the cost of public transit fares in half over the next decade.
Source:
CJAD (Montreal AM radio)

Recent CEPE reports:

February 7, 2008
Report on low incomes in Québec
This document describes poverty trends in recent years and the proportion of low-income family units among Quebecers, the gap between their income and low-income thresholds, the duration of their situation, and their main sociodemographic and economic characteristics. More detailed information is provided about unattached persons and last-resort financial assistance recipients.
Details and document
Press release (PDF, 94 ko) (French)

February 7, 2008
New "Other Documents" section
You can now consult the new Other Documents section, which comprises a number of documents that are considered to provide important information for understanding poverty-related phenomena.

February 7, 2008
Strategic plan for anti-poverty research and knowledge transfer
The purpose of this strategy is to increase research efforts aimed at a fuller understanding of the problem of poverty and to contribute to producing lasting solutions. The strategy insists on the importance of knowledge transfer and appropriation and the need to make research results known and easy to access.
Details and document

Related reports:

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Éliminer la pauvreté : ce que peuvent faire les gouvernements (PDF - 316Ko, 9 pages)
[Available in French only]
Alain Noël, PhD
Université de Montréal
Le 17 avril 2008
« (...) Collectivement, nous devrons également garder à l'esprit que pour éradiquer la pauvreté, il ne suffit pas de miser sur la croissance économique et sur l'emploi.
Il faut aussi redistribuer le revenu. »
Source:
Petits déjeuners sur la Colline
[ Fédération canadienne des sciences humaines ]

NOTE to Anglophones:

In his April 17 presentation, Éliminer la pauvreté : ce que peuvent faire les gouvernements (What governments can do to eliminate poverty), Political Science Professor Alain Noël offers some interesting insights into poverty reduction/elimination in other countries and in Canada, with a special focus on Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the two provinces that already have a poverty reduction strategy in place. He also speaks about the recent resurgence of public interest in poverty reduction in Canada and on the world scene, and he suggests that the federal government needs to step up to the plate in terms of its poverty reduction efforts in areas such as Employment Insurance, income security for Canada's seniors, equalization, taxation and Aboriginal people.

Professor Noël's presentation (PDF - 316K, 9 pages) is available in French only.

Source:
Breakfast on the Hill Series (English home page)
NOTE: click the link above to access 46 presentations in the Breakfast on the Hill series, going right back to 1996.
[ Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences ]

From the Family Network
[Canadian Policy Research Networks ]

A Focus on Income Support: Implementing Quebec's Law Against Poverty and Social Exclusion
May 28, 2004
Commentary (13 pages)
by Alain Noël
"For the time being, it is probably good to praise an effort that was not expected and that appears, in many ways, well intentioned and valuable. From now on, however, the combat will have to continue, not only against poverty and social exclusion, but also against prejudices and a perennial lack of vision."
- assessment of the Charest government's action plan against poverty and social exclusion in Quebec (which was released on April 2) by Alain Noël, who prepared an essay on the original anti-poverty law late in 2002 (see the link below)
- comprehensive, detailed info on the new action plan, including welfare reforms taking effect over the coming year
[Click on the link above , then (on the next page), on the word "Download" under the author's name to open the document in PDF format]

A Law Against Poverty: Quebec’s New Approach to Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion
by Alain Noël
December 2002
Full Report (PDF file - 554 K, 11 pages)
"On December 13, 2002, the National Assembly in Quebec unanimously adopted a law to “combat poverty and social exclusion.” Bill 112 is a framework law that includes a National Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, a fund to support social initiatives, an “Observatory,” and an Advisory Committee on the Prevention of Poverty and Social Exclusion. This new law is unique in North America, and it constitutes a significant political innovation, if only because it makes poverty reduction an explicit and central policy priority. The bill is also the result of a remarkable process of collective action and public deliberation."

From the Collective for a Poverty-Free Québec

The Collective is a Quebec non-governmental organization whose aim is to promote a law that would eradicate poverty in the province. Visit the Collective's site to see the draft law to eliminate poverty.
[NOTE: the French version is more complete and current]

The Quebec Government Action Plan to combat poverty
Forward, backward, sideways...
April 18, 2004
"Social activists outside Québec will have been impressed by the Action Plan and by the impact of the Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion that mandated its publication. How could it have ever happened without such a law that a right-wing government invests, during its first year in office, the better part of $2.5 billion in direct improvements to the revenues of people living in poverty ?"

From the Canadian Council on Social Development(CCSD):

The fight against poverty: A model law
"An excellent article by Camil Bouchard and Marie-France Raynault on Quebec’s ground-breaking anti-poverty law recently appeared in Le Devoir."
January 22, 2003

Quebec Renews Fight Against Poverty
June 2002
"On June 12, the Government of Quebec tabled a bill in the National Assembly aimed at establishing a strategy for poverty reduction in the province. This is a major step as Quebec takes the lead in putting poverty back on the public (and legislative) agenda."
- incl. links to five key documents

- Rendez-vous à la page de liens de recherche sociale au Québec: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/qcbkmrk.htm

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______________________________________________________________________________________________

The links below are, for the most part, organized in reverse chronological order, with the most recent additions at the top.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

The City of Ottawa's
Poverty Reduction Strategy

Poverty Affects Us All:
A Community Approach to Poverty Reduction (PDF - 1.9MB, 83 pages)
Undated (PDF file date: December 11, 2009)
Ottawa's initiative builds on the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy and expands the target group to include individuals, families and children living on low income. The focus of Ottawa's Strategy is to implement local initiatives that reduce poverty, promote awareness and complement existing activities in the community.The report presents 3 Strategic Priorities and 16 Recommendations, including concrete, local actions that can be achieved and measured within a two-year timeframe. Beginning in 2010, Phase II of the Strategy will implement the recommendations and monitor progress by developing measures and tracking outcomes.
Source:
Poverty Affects Us All : A Community Approach to Poverty Reduction
Note : Report to be presented to Community and Protective Services Committee and Council
21 January 2010
By Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager (City Operations)
[ version française :
La pauvreté, c'est l'affaire de tous : une approche communautaire pour réduire la pauvreté ]

Related links:
…….. something left over at the end of the month (PDF - 167K, 48 pages)
Report from the Community Poverty Reduction Strategy Forum
held on June 25, 2008
at Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa.
Prepared by the Ottawa Poverty Reduction Network
for the Ontario Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
chaired by the Hon. Deb Matthews.

City of Ottawa Proposes Poverty Reduction Strategy
September 28, 2009
Source:
Citizens for public Justice

Ottawa Poverty Network
The Ottawa Poverty Reduction Network is a group of community organizations and anti-poverty advocates that
came together in early 2008 to support the participation of low income individuals in the development of
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Alliance to End Homelessness in Ottawa

Ontario Campaign 2000

National Campaign 2000

Ontario Making Progress On Poverty Reduction
McGuinty Government Releases First Annual Report
News Release
December 2, 2009
Ontario is delivering on its poverty reduction strategy by making historic investments in low-income families during challenging economic times. The first annual report on the Breaking the Cycle strategy released today highlights three pillars that the government has delivered on:
* Accelerating the Ontario Child Benefit
* Moving forward with full-day learning for four and five year olds
* Tax fairness for low-income families

Complete report:

Breaking the Cycle: The First Year
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, 2009 Annual Report
HTML version
PDF version (1.2MB, 23 pages)

Related link:

Ontario Deprivation Index
December 2, 2009
A 'deprivation index' is a list of items or activities considered necessary to have an adequate standard of living, but those who are poor are unlikely to be able to afford. The items in a deprivation index are not a comprehensive list of basic needs since in a wealthy society such as Ontario most households, even the poor, are likely to have most of the basic necessities. The items in the index are intended to distinguish the poor from the non-poor. According to research, the items in Ontario's index are all widely seen by Ontarians as being necessary for a household to have a standard of living above the poverty level. (...) Ontario's deprivation index was developed through a unique partnership with the Ontario government, the Daily Bread Food Bank, the Caledon Institute of Social Policy and Statistics Canada.

Source:
Ministry of Children and Youth Services
[ Government of Ontario ]

Making Good on the Promise:
Evaluating Year One of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy
December 2, 2009
HTML version
PDF version (221K, 27 pages)
A year ago, as Canada plunged into one of the sharpest recessions since the Great Depression, the Ontario government assumed long-awaited leadership to tackle poverty. On December 4, 2008 it promised to enact a plan to reduce child and family poverty by 25 per cent by 2013. Making good on that promise would lift more than 90,000 Ontario children and their families out of poverty within five years. This report evaluates what has been done so far and how much further they'll have to go to meet the goal.

Source:
25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. (...) We are asking our government for a plan to reduce Ontario poverty levels by 25% in 5 years and by 50% before 2018.

Related link:

Ontario risks missing poverty reduction targets: report
Anti-poverty campaigners say Ontario risks missing its targets just one year into its plan to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent by 2013.
December 2, 2009
The 25 in 5 Poverty Reduction Network says some good steps have been taken but warns that without immediate public support, the province's poverty rate will "explode."
In a report released ahead of the province's own update, the group also says that repeating the mistakes of the 1990s recession — especially making cuts to public sector programs and services — will make it harder for people to move out of poverty. It wants the province to review its rules around social assistance and make increases to the Ontario Child Benefit, affordable housing and the minimum wage.
Source:
CBC

From Promise to Reality – Recession
Proofing Ontario Families
2009 Report Card on Child & Family Poverty in Ontario (PDF - 234K, 8 pages)
November 2009
* Breaking the Cycle: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy - Key commitments and progress as of November 2009
* Indicators of Child & Family Poverty: A 20 Year Retrospective
* Rate and Depth of Poverty
* Working Poor Families
* Children at Greater Risk of Poverty
* Children in Families on Social Assistance
* Food Bank Use by Children
* Access to Affordable Housing
* Access to Quality, Regulated Child Care
* Looking Ahead - The Need for Strong Leadership in Tough Times
* Next Steps in Poverty Reduction – What Ontario Needs to Do Now

Version française:
D’une promesse à la réalité – prémunir les familles ontariennes contre la récession
Rapport 2009 sur la pauvreté des enfants et des familles en Ontario (PDF - 231Ko., 8 pages)
Novembre 2009

Related link:
Campaign 2000

More Support For Crown Ward Students
McGuinty Government Building Tomorrow's Highly Skilled Workforce
November 12, 2009
Ontario is helping more Crown wards succeed at college, university and apprenticeship training. Seven new Crown Ward Education Championship Teams will offer mentorship, peer support, motivation, and guidance to Crown wards across the province. This doubles the number of teams in Ontario to 14. The teams will help these students access and succeed in postsecondary education and training. Teams include volunteers from local school boards, Children's Aid Societies, postsecondary institutions, community agencies, Employment Ontario and provincial ministries. Support of Crown wards is part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, which aims to reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over five years -- lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty -- by boosting benefits for low-income families and enhancing publicly-funded education.

Learn more:
* Breaking the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy
* Find out more about Ontario's colleges and universities.
* See how Ontario is helping to build a highly skilled workforce.
* ontario.ca/news
* Removing Education Barriers For Crown Wards

Source:
Newsroom - Ontario Government

Five benchmarks for social assistance
Ontario's fiscal woes come as bad news for the
growing number of Ontarians dealing with the fallout from the recent economic storm.
By Pat Capponi (Voices From the Street) and
Jennefer Laidley (Income Security Advocacy Centre)
October 27, 2009
As provincial coffers dry up, thousands of individuals and families also face increasing financial hardship. With unemployment expected to hit 10 per cent by 2010, there could soon be 400,000 of us out of work. And while federal changes to employment insurance will offer some short-term relief, they may be too little, too late. (...) The commitment to review Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program – made in the province's poverty reduction strategy last December – has been agonizingly slow to get off the ground. (...) [T]he newly appointed minister responsible for poverty reduction, Laurel Broten, and the government's poverty reduction results team must make the social assistance review their first order of business to support Ontario's strategy for climbing out of the recession. As Ontario considers its plan for moving forward, the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction offers the following five benchmarks for a social assistance review that will meet the test:
* The review must be grounded in a bold vision: economic security and opportunity for all Ontarians.
* The review must be proactive.
* A timely process to launch deep reforms must be part of the review package.
* Providing decent, adequate income supports must be a stated outcome of the review.
* People who have had to rely on Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program must have a leading role in shaping the review's recommendations.
Source:
Toronto Star

Authors Pat Capponi and Jennefer Laidley are members of the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction, a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty.

Related links:

Voices From the Street
Voices from the streets was launched in 2005 with funding from the City of Toronto’s Supporting Community Partnership Initiative to develop a speakers bureau comprised of individuals with mental health and addictions history. (...) Voices From the Street is comprised of individuals who have had direct experience with homelessness, poverty, and/or mental health issues. The organization works to put a human face to homelessness and involves people with direct experience as leaders in a public education process.

Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)
The Income Security Advocacy Centre works with and on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues of income security and poverty.

Social Assistance Review - A sub-site of the Income Security Advocacy Centre
Comprehensive source for issues, stories, resources, analysis, and news about the review
- incl. links to : About - Take Action - Tell Your Story - Resources - News

25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25 in 5 is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty.

25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
Commitments Made; Action Taken?
eBulletin for October 14, 2009
Table of contents:
1. Quote of the Week: This is Our Chance to Get it Right
2. How is the Government Doing on Poverty Reduction?
3. Action Alert: No Cherry Picking on Early Learning
4. An Update from the Housing Network of Ontario
5. Dental Treatment for Low-Income Ontarians
6. Star Editorial Suggests We "Do the Math"
7. Ontario's Food Banks Hard Hit
Source:
25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. We have organized ourselves around the call for a Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years.

No Relief in Sight This Thanksgiving: 1700 Ontarians “Do the Math” and Find Social Assistance Rates Don’t Add Up
October 8, 2009
Press Release
October 8, 2009
TORONTO – Thanksgiving is a time to remember that everyone should have enough food to eat — if not to celebrate with an abundant meal, at the very least to meet the minimum requirements for health and dignity. But data released from a new website shows what too many people lining up at food banks this Thanksgiving already know: social assistance in Ontario does not add up. The Stop Community Food Centre recently launched a web-based budgeting tool called “Do the Math” that asks people to weigh in on what they think a person on social assistance needs to survive. More than 1,700 people have completed the survey since it launched in June 2009, and results show that even the most frugal estimates fall far short of what people receive on Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Source:
Poverty Watch Ontario
Mission : To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity on the poverty reduction agenda

The Stop Community Food Centre
From its origins as one of Canada’s first food banks, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbours participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, as well as foster social connections, build food skills and promote engagement in civic issues.

Do the Math
Poverty in Ontario is at an all time high. As the economic crisis grows, so does the number of people relying on social assistance and food banks.
Does a single person on social assistance receive enough income to live with health and dignity?
Do The Math to find out!

Time for a “Made in Ontario”
Working Income Tax Benefit
Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity and Open Policy Ontario
call for improvements to Working Income Tax Benefit design in Ontario to help low-income earners escape welfare.
September 2, 2009
Press Release
Toronto – The government of Ontario should accept the invitation from the federal government to modify the design of its Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). WITB benefits should be re-oriented to support low-income earners when they work more, thereby easing their move from social assistance onto full-time employment when welfare benefits are lost.

Complete report:

Time for a “Made in Ontario”
Working Income Tax Benefit (PDF - 897K, 28 pages)
September 2009
Open Policy Ontario
John Stapleton, Principal
"Low-income Ontarians who are attempting to break out of poverty to achieve financial sustainability often find barriers in their way. In fact, many who try to break away from welfare and find employment face strong disincentives to work. They continue to struggle with insufficient work, low wages, and little-to-no wage progression. (...) This report is not about addressing the full range of welfare reform; rather, it seeks to merge the WITB and Ontario’s welfare system and thus provide greater incentives for low-income Ontarians to achieve full-time employment by reducing the barriers created by the welfare wall. (...)

Authors:

James Milway and Katherine Chan,
Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity
The Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity is an independent, not-for-profit organization that deepens public understanding of macro and microeconomic factors behind Ontario’s economic progress. We are funded by the Government of Ontario and are mandated to share our research findings directly with the public. The Institute serves as the research arm of the Task Force on Competitiveness, Productivity and Economic Progress. The mandate of the Task Force, announced in the April 2001 Speech from the Throne, is to measure and monitor Ontario’s competitiveness, productivity, and economic progress compared to other provinces and US states and to report to the public on a regular basis.

John Stapleton,
Open Policy Ontario
John Stapleton is Metcalf Innovations and St Christopher House policy fellow and an expert on social policy and income issues.

Ontario Social Assistance Review
On December 4, 2008, the Ontario government released its Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Strategy made a commitment to “undertake a review of social assistance” (p30). But what this means is still unclear. The government has not yet released any terms of reference for the Review – so there is no indication how it will proceed, who will lead it, or how people with lived experience and local communities can be involved. But we know it won’t be enough for the Review to simply tinker with program rules, changing bits and pieces here and there. Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program are built on a foundation of ideas that work against the principle of poverty reduction.
- incl. links to: About - Take Action - Tell Your Story - Resources - News
Source:
Income Security Advocacy Centre

Related links:

Are welfare laws oppressing the poor?
Activists say old social assistance rules hurt disabled, drive people further into poverty
June 24, 2009
By Laurie Monsebraaten
"(...) Queen's Park had promised to review the [welfare] system this year as part of its groundbreaking poverty reduction plan, released in December. The government repeated the pledge in its March budget but has yet to say when the review will start, how broad it will be and how the community will participate. A spokesperson for social services minister Madeleine Meilleur, whose ministry will lead the review, said the government is still committed to the initiative and "eager" to get started but has yet to determine its scope. (...) Ontario's social assistance system must be part of the government's strategy for a prosperous Ontario, said Mary Marrone, legal director for the Income Security Advocacy Centre, which staged the forum [Toronto Forum on welfare reform, held June 23].
Source:
The Toronto Star

2009 Research Roundtable Proceedings
June 14, 2009
On Tuesday, March 3, Social Planning Toronto hosted its 2009 Research Roundtable: “Research for Social Change”. The event brought together more than 125 community-based, government and academic researchers, policy analysts and activists to share information on current research initiatives, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and exchange ideas for using research to advance social change and challenge poverty in Ontario. The Roundtable provided an opportunity to share perspectives on poverty-reduction research from our various vantage points – inside and outside of government – broadly focused around Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).

Download the full proceedings (Microsoft Word format - 381K, 39 pages)

Source:
Social Planning Toronto
Social Planning Toronto is committed to independent social planning at the local and city-wide levels in order to improve the quality of life for all people in Toronto. It is committed to diversity, social and economic justice, and active citizen participation in all aspects of community life.

Town Hall a success as Toronto families remind MPs: Good jobs and public services reduce poverty
Repairing EI, establishing a national public child care program, good green jobs and investment in affordable housing identified as priorities at community town hall meeting.
June 2, 2009
TORONTO-On Monday evening, more than 100 people participated in a town hall meeting held to get input from community members who will not be given an opportunity to address Parliamentary hearings about the federal role in poverty reduction.

Related link:

Economic road bumps no excuse to slow down on poverty reduction
September 16, 2008
TORONTO - A coalition of over 100 organizations across Ontario (see the next item below from Poverty Watch Ontario) are urging Premier Dalton McGuinty to follow through on his promise to actively and comprehensively address poverty in this province. "The threat of an economic downturn makes leadership on poverty reduction more important than ever," said 25 in 5 spokesperson Jacquie Maund, of Ontario Campaign 2000. "And it's a signal that we can't afford to delay implementation of a plan."
Source:
CNW Group (formerly Canada Newswire)

The report:

Summary Report:
Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy Consultations
(March-August 2008) (PDF - 101K, 15 pages)
September 8, 2008

Source:
Poverty Watch Ontario
Poverty Watch Ontario is a joint initiative of the Social Planning Network of Ontario, Ontario Campaign 2000 and the Income Security Advocacy Centre. These organizations have partnered since early 2008 to promote a cross-Ontario community dialogue on a poverty reduction strategy for the province.

Related links:

25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. (...) We are asking our government for a plan to reduce Ontario poverty levels by 25% in 5 years and by 50% before 2018

Social Planning Network of Ontario
The Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) is a coalition of social planning councils (SPC), community development councils (CDC), resource centres, and planning committees located in various communities throughout Ontario.

Ontario Campaign 2000
Ontario Campaign 2000 is a provincial partner in Campaign 2000, with 66 member organizations across the province.
[ Campaign 2000 ]

Income Security Advocacy Centre
The Income Security Advocacy Centre works with and on behalf of low income communities in Ontario to address issues of income security and poverty.

From the Government of Ontario:

YOUR TWO CENTS' WORTH, PLEASE!!

1. First, read the poverty reduction brochure:
Growing Stronger Together:
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Plan (PDF - 288K, 9 pages)
"Because together we can make a difference"

2. Then click the link below and complete the short questionnaire
and return it to the government by email, regular mail or fax.

Help Us Tackle Poverty
"Your answers to these questions will help us move forward with a plan that delivers more opportunities for success for Ontario families."
This link takes you to a six-question survey that you can complete and submit for consideration by the Ontario Government Committee that's working on the province's poverty reduction strategy.
PDF version of the questionnaire (24K, 2 pages) - download and complete the questionnaire, then send it in by mail [ Growing Stronger Together, Whitney Block, Room 4620, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, ON - M7A 1A1 ] - or by fax (416-314-0367)

Email: growingstronger@ontario.ca
Telephone (Toll Free): 1-866-614-5953
TTY: 1-800-387-5559

Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
"(...) Members will work to develop poverty indicators and targets, and a focused strategy for reducing child poverty and lifting more families out of poverty. The goal of this committee is to make progress in the fight against poverty over the course of the government's four-year mandate."

New from the Ontario Association of Food Banks:

Ontario's Food Banks present plan to cut poverty in half by 2020
News Release
August 19, 2008
The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) released a new report today, entitled Our Choice for a Better Ontario, in response to a call for submissions from the provincial government's Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction. The report sets a goal of cutting poverty in half by 2020 through a renewed investment by the federal and provincial governments.

Complete report:

Related link:

We must spend to fight poverty: report
Low-fee credit unions for the poor and a plan to help low-income households pay for heat and hydro are among a broad series of initiatives needed to fight poverty in Ontario, say the province's food banks in a report released recently. Cutting poverty in half by 2020 would lift more than half a million Ontarians out of poverty and should be the McGuinty government's "commitment of a generation," says the report by the Ontario Association of Food Banks.
Source:
Sudbury Star
September 2, 2008

- Go to the Food Banks and Hunger Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/foodbkmrk.htm

From the 2008 Ontario Budget (March 25, 2008):

Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy
The government’s Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, chaired by the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services, will focus on expanding opportunities for those living in poverty. It will develop a focused poverty reduction strategy with measures, indicators and reasonable targets by the end of 2008. The Committee will review how best to organize and align the current system of supports to ensure more effective investment and more efficient administration. The government will work with communities and other governments to expand opportunity for all Ontarians and reduce poverty over the long term.
- includes info on the following early initiatives under the Poverty Reduction Strategy : * Dental Care for Low-Income Families * Student Nutrition Program * Parenting and Family Literacy Centres * Making Education More Affordable
Source:
Budget 2008 Papers, Chapter 1, Section C:
A Better Future for Families: Improving Quality of Life
- also includes info on : * Investing in Social Housing * Asset-Building Strategy for Low-Income Ontarians * Increased Support for Social Assistance * Minimum Wage * Senior Homeowners’ Property Tax Grants * Ontario Property and Sales Tax Credits for Seniors * more...

Supporting Families Receiving Social Assistance (chart and descriptive text)
"(...) proposing to increase the basic adult allowance and maximum shelter allowance by two per cent in 2008–09."

Source:
Ontario Ministry of Finance

From the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)

Ontario: 'Poverty Reduction'? Reforming without Reforms in a Neoliberal World
by John Clarke
June 30, 2008
"(...)Clearly, the present round of Ontario Government consultations on poverty can't be wished away. It is dominating the political landscape in Ontario at the moment. In OCAP, we deplore this fact but have to recognize it. At present, we can only present our point of view and realize that we are not able to transfer community energy from talking with Liberals to mobilizing against them. However, there is one obvious limitation to the government's consultation strategy. At a certain point, the talking has to stop and the results of the process must be revealed. At that time, the striking lack of progress on poverty reduction is going to hit people in the face."
Source:
Centre for Global Research
The Centre for Research on Globalisation (CRG) is an independent research and media group of writers, scholars, journalists and activists. Based in Montreal, the CRG is a registered non profit organization in the province of Quebec.

[ more Canadian content from CRG ]

Related link:

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
OCAP is a direct-action anti-poverty organization based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We mount campaigns against regressive government policies as they affect poor and working people.
[John Clarke, author of the above article, is with OCAP.]

From the Income Security Advocacy Centre (Toronto):

Ending Poverty in Ontario:
Building Capacity and Organizing for Change
A Workshop for Engaging Low Income People (PDF - 980K, 116 pages)
Spring 2008
This manual has been developed to assist facilitators to hold community-based workshops with low income people and other community members active in ending poverty. The workshop is designed to encourage discussion about what is needed to end poverty in Ontario, and to identify actions that can be taken within your community. (...) Campaign 2000 and ISAC will be working with community partners to deliver these workshops in Thunder Bay, Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Owen Sound, Windsor, and Toronto, and will be producing a “Call to Action” report at the end of 2008 for government and the community.
NOTE : On the ISAC Resources page, you'll find links to the Word version of individual sections of the manual, along with over three dozen more Public Education Materials, Policy Papers and Legal Documents
Source:
A joint project of the Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) and
Campaign 2000 (a cross-Canada public education movement to build Canadian awareness and support for the 1989 all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000.)

Make your voice heard on Social Assistance (PDF - 36K, 2 pages)
- May 2008

Action Alert: Poverty Reduction Consultations (Word file - 60K, 3 pages)
- May 2008

Action Alert:
Back-to-school and Winter Clothing allowances end in 2008 (Word file - 49K, 2 pages)
- May 2008

OW and ODSP Recipients Should File 2007 Tax Returns (PDF - 32K, 1 page)
- April 2008

Source:
The Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)
ISAC was established in 2001 by Legal Aid Ontario to serve low income Ontarians by conducting test case and Charter litigation relating to provincial and federal income security programs.. (...) ISAC's legal work takes place in the broader context of law reform, public legal education and community development.

Related links:

25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. We have organized ourselves around the call for a Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years.
Source:
Community Social Planning Council of Toronto

From The Toronto Star:

Ontario : 'Have the guts to help,' poor tell the province
June 10, 2008
(...) Some 1.3 million Ontarians live in poverty and the Liberals have promised to have a poverty-reduction strategy – and targets to measure the government's progress – in place by year's end. Ontarians had their first chance to publicly air their views on the government's plans at three meetings yesterday across the city of Toronto attended by Liberal MPPs.

The buzz about bee stings and the poor
June 7, 2008
Laurie Monsebraaten
A provocative new book argues you can't do anything for yourself when you're being swarmed by bees. It's just an analogy, but author and philosopher Charles Karelis's take on poverty is a stinging refutation of generations of social policy.

Child poverty crusade
Editorial
June 2, 2008
The late June Callwood was a tireless activist who until her death last year fought and won many battles. Her last great crusade was to eradicate child poverty in Canada. So it is fitting that her birthday today has been declared June Callwood Children's Day in Ontario. As Premier Dalton McGuinty sees it, we should take the opportunity "to commit ourselves to action."

Gap between passion and revenue
May 23, 2008
Carol Goar
Expectations are running high. Revenues are running low. And Premier Dalton McGuinty has decreed that there will be no deficit and no tax increases. Yet Deb Matthews, who heads the cabinet committee drafting Ontario's poverty reduction strategy, is defiantly sanguine

Determining a deprivation index
Daily Bread Food Bank using survey to develop 'economic strain' guide for poverty in Ontario
April 19, 2008
By Laurie Monsebraaten

Defining poverty
April 19, 2008
As the province grapples with that question, the Star asked dozens of local experts. Here are their answers.

Definition of poverty stalls federal committee
April 16, 2008
By Joanna Smith
OTTAWA–The federal government should hurry up and define poverty so it can move on to doing something about it, said witnesses at a parliamentary committee laying the foundation for a national poverty strategy yesterday.

Getting together to fight poverty
April 15, 2008
A disparate coalition of more than 100 individuals and anti-poverty groups has done what many thought was impossible by agreeing on the broad strokes of a poverty reduction strategy for Ontario.

MPs from all parties set to tackle poverty
Committee plans to look at Regent Park's success with education program
April 4, 2008
By Richard Brennan
OTTAWA–A parliamentary committee is setting out to establish the framework for a national poverty strategy by meeting with groups and individuals across Canada already doing their bit to help the poor. The Human Resources and Social Development Committee decided yesterday it is high time for a plan, which would ultimately require federal government approval, to tackle the growing problem.

Source:
War on Poverty: Special Coverage
[ The Toronto Star ]

Campaign for poverty reduction building momentum
April 5, 2008
By Peter Clutterbuck, Social Planning Network of Ontario
Sustaining employment. Livable Incomes. Strong and supportive communities. When it comes to tackling poverty, these are the core messages that are emerging from communities across Ontario. The Social Planning Network of Ontario is currently traversing the province to build support for a bold poverty reduction vision. Local social planning members and community partners in 12 cities are bringing together Ontarians from all walks of life to discuss the best way to move forward on an anti-poverty plan.
Source:
Social Planning Network of Ontario
The Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) is a coalition of social planning councils (SPC), community development councils (CDC), resource centres, and planning committees located in various communities throughout Ontario. Each of the individual organizations has their own mandates but are connected in the cause of effecting change on social policies, conditions, and issues.
- incl. links to : * Home * News * Reports * Links * FAQs * About Us * Contact Us

New Measures to Tackle Poverty, Build Opportunity:
McGuinty Government Helps More Low-Income Families Get Ahead
News Release
March 17, 2008
Ontario's plan for a strong economy includes supporting low-income families so that everyone can have the opportunity to succeed in the 21st century economy.
- The government will invest $135 million over three years in a dental care plan for low-income families. (...)
- The Student Nutrition Program will be doubled with a three-year $32-million investment to expand existing services. (...)
- repairs to about 4,000 affordable housing units - another $100 million will be provided this year

Related Backgrounder:

McGuinty Government Announces
Three Priority Programs To Kickstart Poverty Reduction Strategy
March 17, 2008
- incl. more detailed info on the three new/enhanced initiatives in the news release above.

Related links:

Income Security Advocacy Centre's Response
to the Ontario Government's Poverty Announcement (PDF file - 36K, 1 page)
Press Release
March 17, 2008
Premier’s Poverty Reduction Announcement:
“A Good Start, but a Long Way to Go”
Toronto – Calling the Premier’s Poverty Reduction announcement “a good start,” Mary Marrone, Director of Advocacy & Legal Services at ISAC, said, “But they’ve got a long way to go.” The Income Security Advocacy Centre is a specialized community legal clinic with a provincial mandate to improve the income security of people living in Ontario through test case litigation, policy advocacy and community organizing. The Premier’s office announced funding for three priority programs this morning as a ‘kickstart’ to a Poverty Reduction Strategy, expected by the end of 2008.
Source:
Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC)

Transcript of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
January 21, 2008
Pre-budget consultations, including several presentations dealing with the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy.
- incl. submissions by : HUGH MACKENZIE * ONTARIO LONG TERM CARE ASSOCIATION * INCOME SECURITY ADVOCACY CENTRE * CANADIAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION * MYCHOICE.CA * CAMPAIGN 2000 * WELLESLEY INSTITUTE * CANADIAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS-ONTARIO * ONTARIO NON-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATION * 25 IN 5: NETWORK FOR POVERTY REDUCTION *TORONTO AND YORK REGION LABOUR COUNCIL * more...

Report of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATION 2008 (PDF - 2.4MB, 74 pages)
March 17, 2008
This report is an overview of the main issues raised by presenters during the pre-Budget consultation.

From Campaign 2000:

Work isn't working for Ontario Families
Poverty Reduction requires a Jobs Strategy, says Campaign 2000
News alert
May 12, 2008
Toronto – In the face of mounting evidence on the role of the labour market in family poverty, today Campaign 2000, the coalition working to end child and family poverty, joined with the Toronto & York Region Labour Council and the Canadian Labour Congress (Ontario Region) to call for the inclusion of a good jobs strategy in the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy. Their joint report, Work Isn’t Working for Ontario Families: The Role of Good Jobs in Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy establishes that many Ontario parents cannot achieve financial security for their families not because they can’t find work, but because they can’t find a good job.

Complete report:

Work Isn’t Working for Ontario Families:
The Role of Good Jobs in Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF - 180K, 28 pages)

Media release: Campaign 2000 comments on 2008 Ontario Budget
25 Mar 08
The anti-poverty coalition Campaign 2000 is encouraged to see the Ontario 2008 budget include a number of measures that reflect the Government’s commitment to address poverty.

Media release: Poverty Reduction Missing from Budget
26 Feb 08
The federal budget passed up the chance to offer the almost 800,000 children living in poverty in Canada a shot at a better life, says Campaign 2000, the national coalition of over 120 partners working to end child and family poverty in Canada.

Media release:Time for Initial Steps in Poverty Reduction Strategy
20 Jan 08
Campaign 2000 Calls for a Down Payment on Poverty Reduction in the 2008 Budget.

A Poverty Plan for Ontario - from Ontario Campaign 2000
- includes links to Ontario Campaign 2000's pre-budget submission to the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs Pre-Budget Hearings(January 2008), the July 2007 discussion paper proposing a poverty reduction strategy for Ontario (see the link immediately below) and the 2006 Report card on child and family poverty in Ontario (plus links to child and family poverty reports for earlier years).

A poverty reduction strategy for Ontario (PDF file - 396K, 14 pages)
July 2007
"This discussion paper outlines what a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario should look like, based on lessons learned from success in the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions. It identifies indicators for measuring poverty, targets and timelines for poverty reduction, and outlines the key components of an action plan."
Source:
Ontario Campaign 2000
- includes links to many more poverty reduction papers from Ontario Campaign 2000.

25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction
25-in-5: Network for Poverty Reduction is a multi-sectoral network comprised of more than 100 provincial and Toronto-based organizations and individuals working on eliminating poverty. We have organized ourselves around the call for a Poverty Reduction Plan with a goal to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years.

25-in-5 Resources - links to websites and reports (local, provincial, national and international) on the subject of poverty reduction

Source:
Community Social Planning Council of Toronto

Time for a Fair Deal: Report of the Task Force on
Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age Adults (PDF file - 282K, 67 pages)
May 2006
Recommended income security reforms for Canada and Ontario:
- Reform Employment Insurance to address the significant decline in coverage of the unemployed and the related decline in access to employment supports and training.
- Create a new refundable tax benefit consisting of a basic tax credit for all low-income working-age adults and a working income supplement for low-income wage earners.
- Create a new national disability income support program for persons whose disabilities are so substantial that they are unlikely to enter the paid labour force.
- Increase the National Child Benefit to an adequate level.
- Establish an independent provincial body, with representation from labour and employers, to recommend periodic increases to the minimum wage and monitor the employment and economic effects.
- Implement an integrated child benefit platform for all low-income parents with children that pays benefits outside the social assistance system.
- Provide basic health (prescription drugs and vision care) and dental coverage to low-income workers.

Source:
Task Force on Modernizing Income Security for Working Age Adults ("MISWAA")
MISWAA was formed in the fall of 2004 by the Toronto City Summit Alliance, a broad-based coalition of civic leaders in the Toronto region, and by St. Christopher House, a multi-service neighbourhood centre that works with low-income people in Toronto. The Task Force is a diverse group made-up of over fifty experts and leaders from major employers, policy institutes, labour unions, academia, community organizations, advocacy groups, foundations and governments, as well as individuals with first-hand knowledge of income security programs.

[ More MISWAA papers ]

- Go to the Ontario Government Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/onbkmrk.htm

[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]

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The links below are, for the most part, organized in reverse chronological order, with the most recent additions at the top.
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Poverty statistics misleading
By Harvey Stevens
December 5, 2009
The recently released November 2009 Manitoba Child and Family Poverty Report Card 2009 (PDF - 458K, 25 pages) states that "Manitoba is once again the Child Poverty Capital of Canada, tied with British Columbia for having the highest number of citizens under the age of 18 living in poverty." It goes on to show how Manitoba has held that highest ranking for eight of the last 19 years and second highest ranking for an additional five of those years. Unfortunately, these are very misleading statistics which are extremely unfair to Manitoba because they are based on a faulty yardstick -- the pre-tax low income cutoffs (LICOs) developed by Statistics Canada more 40 years ago.
Source:
Winnipeg Free
[ Harvey Stevens is a retired civil servant who worked for 18 years as a senior policy analyst with Family Services and Housing. His area of expertise is poverty measurement and income assistance policy. He tried championing the use of the MBM for setting welfare rates while in government but was unsuccessful. ]

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20 Years Lost: The Poverty Generation
Manitoba Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 458K, 25 pages)
November 2009
All of the children living in poverty in Manitoba today were born since the members of the House of Commons passed the resolution to eliminate child poverty in 1989. (...) In Manitoba, 47,000 children live in poverty. That’s 18.8 per cent of all children, nearly one in five. Manitoba is once again the Child Poverty Capital of Canada, tied with British Columbia for having the highest number of citizens under the age of 18 living in poverty. That’s almost four percentage points above the national average.
Source:
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

One is too many (PDF - 75K, 2 pages)
Media Release
November 24, 2009
Winnipeg Manitoba—a report released today by the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg (SPC) shows that Manitoba has regained the title of Child Poverty Capital of Canada, with nearly 1 in 5 children living in poverty.

Related link:
Campaign 2000

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Winnipeg:

Consensus growing to fight poverty
By Harry Finnigan
October 16, 2009
According to Statistics Canada, in 2006 15.7 per cent of Winnipeggers were living in poverty. That translates into almost 100,000 people in Winnipeg being affected every day by not having enough to eat, a proper place to sleep, nor the freedom to live their lives with dignity. For people younger than 18, the percentage is even higher -- 21 per cent fall below the Low Income Cutoff indicator. Though we are no longer known as "the child poverty capital of Canada," those numbers are still cause for alarm as too often it is the children who are the victims of poverty.
Source:
Winnipeg Free Press

Related link:

Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council
The mission of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council is to significantly reduce poverty in Winnipeg in hopes of creating A City Where Everyone Belongs.

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All Aboard Manitoba’s Poverty Train (PDF - 47K, 10 pages)
By Sherri Torjman, Ken Battle and Michael Mendelson
September 2009
This report summarizes the core elements of the newly-introduced poverty reduction strategy in Manitoba . Announced on May 21, 2009, All Aboard represents an annual investment of $744 million, including $212 million in new funding. To tackle the numerous factors that create and sustain poverty, the province is investing in four clusters of intervention: safe affordable housing; education, jobs and income support; strong and healthy families; and coordinated programs and services. The strategy has several elements of success: It is a whole-of-government approach rather than the effort of a single department. It invests in recognized pathways out of poverty and engages partners outside government in the diverse interventions. The strategy provides direct (albeit modest) payments to households with children to boost their incomes immediately. All Aboard includes a process to coordinate its many components and monitor its impact.
Source:
Caledon Institute of Social Policy
The Caledon Institute of Social Policy does rigorous, high-quality research and analysis; seeks to inform and influence public opinion and to foster public discussion on poverty and social policy; and develops and promotes concrete, practicable proposals for the reform of social programs at all levels of government and of social benefits provided by employers and the voluntary sector.

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From the
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:

Manitoba’s poverty reduction plan:
All Aboard – Destination Unknown (PDF - 500K, 2 pages)
June 22, 2009
On May 21st, the Manitoba government released All Aboard: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. The 8-page glossy document outlines some solid “values and guiding principles” that provide a foundation for a plan, as well as a list of initiatives that the NDP government has introduced since first elected in 1999. (...) However, All Aboard falls seriously short as a comprehensive plan and their “strategy” will be meaningless without a clear destination and a map to get there. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba recently released The view from here: Manitobans call for a poverty reduction plan. Our plan, developed in collaboration with Make Poverty History Manitoba and others brings together several years of research and consultation with individuals and community organizations directly involved with Manitoba’s most vulnerable citizens. Over 70 organizations representing thousands of Manitobans have now endorsed The view from here and more continue to sign on. (...) Our plan is comprehensive, and most importantly it outlines timelines and targets that, if implemented within the context of a legislated framework, would hold governments, present and future, accountable to ensuring that poverty is significantly reduced. But the Doer government has been consistently resistant to setting timelines and targets and they appear unlikely to pass supporting legislation.

Related links from CCPA:

The view from here:
Manitobans call for a poverty reduction plan (PDF - 1.9MB, 76 pages)
June 2009 (file dated May 21)
This report looks at the emergence of poverty reduction plans in other jurisdictions; it outlines the essential components of a meaningful poverty reduction plan; it makes the case for a made in Manitoba poverty reduction plan; it includes the latest poverty statistics for Manitoba; it proposes indicators with targets and timelines to measure progress; and it outlines a large package of policies and programs that should be at the heart of a comprehensive poverty reduction plan, highlighting items for immediate action.

Research for Communities:
The view from here – Manitobans call for a poverty reduction plan - PDF File, 177K, 4 pages)
Spring 2009
This booklet offers information about elsewhere in Canada, what should be included in a poverty reduction plan for Manitoba, common elements of successful poverty reduction programs, etc.
Source:
Manitoba Office - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
[ More publications from CCPA-Manitoba ]
[ Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - National Office ]

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May 25, 2009
New resource from the
Canadian Council on Social Development:

Manitoba:
Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs in Manitoba (PDF - 371K, 34 pages)
By Tom Carter and Chesya Polevychok, University of Winnipeg

Source:
Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs
Social Development Report Series, 2009
[ Canadian Council on Social Development ]

Also from CCSD :

Poverty Reduction Policies and Programs in Canada (PDF - 341K, 29 pages)
By David I. Hay, Information Partnership

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A Poverty Reduction Plan in Manitoba
The government of Manitoba has come up with a plan to reduce poverty in the province. But the plan doesn't commit to specific timelines and targets to reduce poverty, nor does it ask for significant input from community groups or those most affected by poverty.
Source:
Make Poverty History

$212 million to battle poverty
Province to place greater emphasis on housing needs
May 22, 2009
WINNIPEG — After years of sniping from left-wing critics that it has done too little to fight poverty, the Doer government fired back Thursday with a new "comprehensive" strategy that brought kudos from social agencies and business leaders alike. The province announced it has earmarked $212 million in new funding this year for bricks-and-mortar projects, as well as programming for low-income Manitobans.
It also signalled a change in how it deals with people with mental-health issues and addictions, placing greater emphasis on housing. The "housing first" approach means the government will try to put a roof over a person's head before offering other supports.
Source:
Winnipeg Free Press

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Poverty and Social Exclusion
Solving Complex Issues through Comprehensive Approaches (PDF - 249K, 4 pages)
September 2008
* Definitions of social exclusion
* Government strategies to address poverty and social exclusion (Europe - Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador - Québec - Ontario)
* Common features of poverty and social exclusion strategies (targets - timelines - citizen consultations - action plans/strategies - accountability and reporting - evaluation of progress)
* Why Manitoba needs a Strategy
Source:
Manitoba Office - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
[ More publications from CCPA-Manitoba ]
[ Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - National Office ]

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United Way commends province for new measures to reduce poverty
May 22, 2009
United Way of Winnipeg is thrilled with a new provincial strategy to reduce poverty, announced May 21, 2009.
(...) Among the organizations acting in conjunction with ALL Aboard is the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council.
United Way of Winnipeg is founder of, and provides office space and technical assistance to the council.

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Province acknowledges progress in fight on poverty, but there is more to do: Mackintosh
$4.3 Million to Support Manitobans to Move Into Jobs, Increase Shelter Welfare Rates
May 6, 2008
"(...) Adding to the $27.6-million commitment made last year, the extra $4.3 million in new Rewarding Work initiatives will help people with disabilities, single parents and other low-income people"...
- includes the following:
* Effective 07/08, increases to shelter rates and rooming house rates directly from the Manitoba Shelter Benefit (see the link below)
* Effective 11/08, Rewarding Work Rent Allowance, a $50-per-month benefit to help non-disabled single adults and couples without children pay their rent after they leave welfare for work.
* Effective 02/09, Get Started! - a one-time benefit (ranging from $175 to $325, depending on the case classification) will be paid to people who leave welfare for work to help them pay for costs related to starting a new job.
* Effective 12/08, the Rewarding Work Health Plan will be provided to single parents and persons with disabilities who leave welfare for work; it extends coverage for prescription drugs and dental and optical services for up to two full years after people leave assistance.
(...)
Rewarding Work is part of the province’s anti-poverty strategy [bolding added], which includes Family Choices, Housing First and HOMEWorks, substantially increased education funding, increases to the minimum wage and other related measures to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the growing economy."

Rewarding Work
Manitoba’s Rewarding Work is a four-year Manitoba strategy to address poverty by giving people hope and dignity through employment. Rewarding Work programs will provide benefits to low-income working families. They will also help Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) [welfare] participants move from EIA to work by increasing the advantages of employment over EIA.

Recommended reading:

Year One Investments
- Rewarding Work investments in 2007/08 are helping low-income Manitobans in three areas:
(incl. links to more detailed info on the various initiatives)
* Helping low-income families (Manitoba Child Benefit, Manitoba Child Care Program)
* Supporting people to move from welfare to work (enhanced work incentives in the EIA program, new job seekers' allowance, a new training and education policy to help Manitobans on EIA find permanent work, job preparation, minimum wage subsidy for employers who hire and train people on EIA, allowances for work-related costs for all employed EIA clients, mentorship program for youth
* Improving benefits and services for persons with disabilities (marketAbilities, marketAbilities fund, marketAbilities team, personal attendant community education program, Sara Riel Inc. work placement force program, increase in financial assistance from Income Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (IAPD)living in the community, doubling of the EIA liquid asset exemptions for EIA clients with a disability

Year Two
In the second year of the strategy, Rewarding Work will focus on assisting people to prepare for and make a smooth transition from income assistance to work.
Examples include an 18% shelter rate increase for non-disabled single adults receiving EIA (starting 07/08), a monthly rent top-up for up to one year (starting 11-08) for non-disabled single adults and childless couples who leave income assistance for work and live in private rent, new one-time work startup allowance (starting 02/09), drug, dental and optical benefits to be extended (starting 12/08) for 24 months (up from 12 months), and more to come...

Manitoba Shelter Benefit (MSB)
The Manitoba Shelter Benefit (MSB) is a monthly benefit to help low income seniors, families, and persons with disabilities pay their rent. The benefit replaces the current Shelter Assistance for Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Shelter Assistance for Family Renters (SAFFR) programs.
The MSB helps three groups of people:
* families
* seniors
* persons with a disability

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Province Fights Poverty With Jobs: Ministers
October 17, 2007
Rewarding Work Invests $4.75 Million To Remove Barriers to Employment
Four new programs to get Manitobans off welfare and into work under the Rewarding Work strategy were announced today by Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh and Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Jim Rondeau.
Source:
Family Services and Housing
Competitiveness, Training and Trade

Related links:

Backgrounder (Word file - 35K, 1 page)
October 17, 2007

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Rewarding Work
Last April ['07], the province announced Rewarding Work, a four-year, $27-million plan to bring down barriers to employment and help Manitobans on employment and income assistance find employment. The program complements other poverty-fighting measures announced in the last budget including tax changes that benefits 6,000 low-income Manitobans and an enhanced property credit of $125 a year for working low-income renters and homeowners. Other supports for low-income Manitobans include a minimum wage increase to $8 per hour last April and lower child-care costs.

`REWARDING WORK' TO HELP LOW-INCOME WORKING FAMILIES,
AND MOVE MORE MANITOBANS FROM WELFARE TO WORK: MACKINTOSH
New Child Benefit, Lower-cost Child Care, Stronger Work Incentives, And Skills Package in 10-point Reconstruction of Income Supports
News Release
April 10, 2007
Filling thousands of job vacancies and increasing family prosperity are the objectives of a ground-breaking, four-year action plan to move Manitobans from welfare to work, Family Services and Housing Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today. “Manitobans should always be better off working than on welfare. Yet in getting a job, too often you lose. Benefits are reduced for child allowances, child care, drug, dental and optical coverage, which makes work less attractive,” said Mackintosh. “We must dismantle this welfare wall.”

Backgrounder:

Rewarding Work - Gateway To Opportunities (PDF file - 21K, 3 pages)

Source:
Province of Manitoba

Related link:

Reducing Poverty in Manitoba (PDF file - 134K, 17 pages)
Budget Paper E
Source:
Manitoba Budget 2007 (April 4, 2007)

Google Search Results Links - always current results!
Using the following search terms (without the quote marks):
"Manitoba, "Rewarding Work", welfare"
Web search results page
News search results page
Blog Search Results page
NOTE: the Blog Search Results page had zero results as at April 11 (early morning).
However, because these are dynamic links, the results will vary depending on when you access the above links for all three types of search results pages
Source:
Google.ca

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A Province Left Behind.... Where's our poverty eradication plan,
Prime Minister Harper, Premier Doer and Mayor Katz? (PDF file - 971K, 38 pages)
November 2007
Source:
Social Planning Council of Winnipeg

Related links:

Child poverty rate in Manitoba remains too high: Social Planning Council of Winnipeg (November 26, 2007)
Source:
CBC

Campaign 2000 Report on Child and Family Poverty in Canada
Main page - includes links to both the French and English media releases and reports, as well as links to national report cards for previous years and for selected Canadian provinces.
[ Campaign 2000 ]

November 26, 2007
Anti-poverty initiatives to help Manitobans help themselves : Mackintosh
New Manitoba Child Benefit, Stronger Work Incentive New Job-Seekers' Allowance Announced
Under Rewarding Work, a four-year action plan to move Manitobans from welfare to work, three new measures effective Jan. 1, 2008, include:
· A stronger work incentive allowance will help to ensure people are better off working and keep more of their earnings. Earnings exemptions for 4,200 Manitobans on assistance will almost double so workers can keep $200 of net monthly earnings plus 30 per cent of net monthly earnings over $200. Under the existing program, participants can keep up to $115 and 25 per cent of earnings above that amount, depending on their case category.
· A new $11-million Manitoba child benefit will ensure parents will not lose all support for their children when moving off welfare. Up to 33,000 families with children will benefit. This means an initial gain for low-income, working families of up to $420 tax free each year for every child. Monthly payments will begin in January 2008. For a single parent of three children working full or part time and earning $15,000 or less, this totals $1,260 with partial benefits for parents who earn $15,000 to $20,000.
· A new job-seekers’ allowance will help single, non-disabled adults and childless couples who actively participate in an employment plan. Effective January 2008, the allowance program will provide $25 per month to participants, assisting 3,900 recipients through an annual investment of $1.17 million.

Source:
Manitoba Family Services and Housing

Related link from the CBC:

Manitoba increases welfare shelter rates
May 6, 2008
For the first time in 15 years, Manitoba is raising the shelter rates it gives to adults on social assistance.
- the same news release includes: * Health benefits extended * Poverty rates dropping, says government
"(...) The total number of Manitobans living in poverty fell to 11.4 per cent in 2006 from 14.9 per cent in 1999.
Still, Manitoba has the third-highest ranking in the country for poverty."
Source:
CBC News

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Reducing Poverty in Manitoba (PDF - 134K, 17 pages)
April 2007
Budget 2007 introduces “Rewarding Work” – a new four-year plan to refocus the low-income support system to help more people gain employment and higher incomes. This new plan focuses on enhancing opportunities for education and training, expanding employment, making work pay for families, easing the transition from welfare to work and helping people retain jobs.
Source:
Manitoba Budget 2007

[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]

Saskatchewan Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 239K, 8 pages)
November 2009
* 35,000 Children in Poverty in Saskatchewan
* No Consistent Improvement Over Time
* Comparing Three Measures of Poverty
* Third Highest Provincial Child Poverty Rate
* 45% of Aboriginal Children in Low-Income Families
* More than One in Three Immigrant Children Poor
* 40% of Children in Female Lone-parent Families in Poverty
* Families Deeply in Poverty
* Saskatchewan Child Poverty Often Long Term
* One in Three Poor Children in Families with Full Employment
* Government Transfers Benefit Children
* Growing Gap Between Rich and Poor
* Child Poverty Rate High by International Standards
* Poverty Measures
Source:
Social Policy Research Unit
[ Faculty of Social Work ]
[ University of Regina ]

Related link
Campaign 2000

We Must Do Better: Alberta Report on Recent Forums in the Province (PDF - 2.1MB, 20 pages)
November 2009
During 2009, nearly 400 people came together at seven forums around Alberta to share experiences and thoughts about economic poverty. The Edmonton Social Planning Council and Public Interest Alberta helped organize the forums around the 2008 “We Can Do Better” report.
[ Highlights (PDF file - 58K, 2 pages)]

We Can Do Better: Toward an Alberta Child & Family Poverty Reduction Strategy (PDF - 2.1MB, 20 pages)
November 2008
We Can Do Better outlines the most current statistics on child and family poverty in Alberta & offers solutions that would allow us to do better for our most vulnerable children and families.

It's Time to Make Alberta Poverty-Free:
Albertans Call on Governments to Work Together to
Establish a Poverty Elimination Strategy
Media Release
November 24, 2009
A provincial network of people and organizations is calling upon the provincial, federal and municipal governments to work together with community organizations and others to develop a plan to eliminate poverty in Alberta.
Source:
Public Interest Alberta
Edmonton Social Planning Council

Related link:
Campaign 2000

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From Calgary's Poverty Talks (antipoverty coalition):

Action Plan to Eliminate Poverty in Calgary (PDF - 2MB, 4 pages)
September 2009
On September 18, 2009, a coalition of community organizations in Calgary called "Poverty Talks" released a local Action to Plan to Eliminate Poverty. The plan is the result of a series of consultations with hundreds of low-income Calgarians over the past 18 months. It provides a street-level view of what needs to be done to end poverty as defined by those who are living in poverty, rather than by social workers, academics and politicians.
[ News Release - September 18 ]
Source:
Poverty Talks
- no website as such, but see:
* Poverty Talks Facebook page (current)
* Poverty Talks Blog (not updated since fall 2008)
Poverty Talks is the project of a Calgary-based non-profit coalition seeking to raise awareness of poverty ~ especially as an electoral issue ~ and to advance and support the democratic engagement of low-income Calgarians. So, we invite you to take this report, talk to politicians and decision makers, and become an influence for change.
Why? Because poverty can happen to anyone. And ending poverty benefits us all.

Related link from Poverty Talks:

Detailed Action Plan to Eliminate Poverty in Calgary (Word file - 210K, 23 pages)
In over 45 community meetings between 2008 and 2010, several hundred people answered the following questions: As a low income person, what would make a difference in your life? and What would you like to see changed? This report outlines what low-income Calgarians and people living in poverty say we need to achieve to make our city and province a good place to live for everyone. Never before has there been such a need for an all-round poverty reduction plan and strategy to tackle the problem. The goal of Poverty Talks is to raise awareness of poverty issues, especially in the electoral process, and to advance and support the democratic engagement of low-income Calgarians. Each section of the report starts with a "We said" section which includes some of the words and/or ideas from the project participants. These are followed by recommendations based on participants’ ideas.

Related external links:

Women Together Ending poverty (WTEP)
We are a Calgary-based diverse group of women working together to educate ourselves and other women about the root causes of poverty and to empower ourselves and other women to take action against poverty.
- incl. links to:
* Welcome * Our Principles * Our Platform * Our Regular Activities * Our Current Focus * Past Events * Future Events * Videos * Poverty Talks * Our Contact Info * Links

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From Vibrant Communities Calgary:

* Cost of Living Factsheet - August 2009 (PDF - 1.2MB, 4 pages)
* Poverty Fact Sheet - August 2009 (PDF - 653K, 2 pages)
* Living Wage Fact Sheet - August 2009 (PDF - 1.8MB, 4 pages)
Source:
Vibrant Communities Calgary
Vibrant is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively, with various stakeholders and partners, seeking to engage Calgarians and to advocate for long-term strategies that address the root causes of poverty in Calgary.
[ Vibrant Resources ]

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Vibrant Communities - Calgary
(from the Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement)
- incl. * Calgary's Approach * Update * Contact Info * Key Documents
Source:
Vibrant Communities
Vibrant Communities is a community-driven effort to reduce poverty in Canada by creating partnerships that make use of our most valuable assets – people, organizations, businesses and governments. It’s a unique approach to poverty reduction that allows communities to learn from — and help — each other. Vibrant Communities links communities across Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, in a collective effort to test the most effective ways to reduce poverty at the grassroots level.

The Vibrant Communities partnership includes the following communities from across Canada:
* Abbotsford * Calgary * Edmonton * Hamilton * Montreal * Saint John * St. John's * Surrey * Trois-Rivières * Victoria * Waterloo * Winnipeg
[ Learn more about Vibrant Communities ]
[ Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement:
Tamarack exists to build vibrant and engaged communities in Canada. Our work will result in more collaborative approaches and less poverty. ]

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Poverty Reduction Coalition
In 2004, United Way of Calgary and Area formed the Sustained Poverty Reduction Initiative to leverage people, resources and influence to reduce the causes and effects of poverty. The initiative was later renamed Poverty Reduction Coalition [ 2007 Backgrounder (PDF - 52K, 2 pages), and it is a community collaborative supported by United Way of Calgary and Area.
NOTE: this site hasn't been updated since late 2008, but it contains some interesting Calgary-focused reports going back a few years that are worth checking out...

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Community & Neighbourhood Services --- [City of Calgary]
"Community Strategies supports fledgling community issues and initiatives, works with The City of Calgary's not-for-profit partners and provides research, planning and marketing for community vitality and protection-related services at The City."
[ Publications, Guides & Directories ]

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Alberta poverty strategy sought
April 21, 2009
Canada’s richest province, Alberta, is trailing behind others in reducing poverty, says an advocacy group that wants to create a provincial strategy. “We think Alberta, of all provinces, should be a leader in this,” said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, executive director of Public Interest Alberta. The independent public advocacy group is planning meetings across the province — starting with a forum in Red Deer on April 29 — to examine what can be done to give more Albertans the tools to succeed.
Source:
Red Deer Advocate
[ See Public Interest Alberta ]

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We can do better : Toward an Alberta Child Poverty Reduction
Strategy for Children and Families (PDF - 2.9MB, 20 pages)
November 2008
Source:
Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC)

[GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE]

The remaining BC links ppear in reverse chronological order.

Twenty Years Later - A Second Look (PDF - 15K, 2 pages)
January 11, 2010
This is the first in a series of monthly reports by First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition on child poverty in British Columbia. The series is a continuing call to the BC government to start getting serious about fighting child and family poverty. The provincial government has spent the last several years trying to explain away the poverty statistics.
The latest shots came on November 24 on the government web site:
[ http://www.gov.bc.ca/fortherecord/childpoverty/cp_poverty.html ]
None of the figures were incorrect, but they gave the misleading impression that BC is a leader in fighting poverty.
The technique is what statisticians call “cherry picking,” using selected figures that seem to reinforce the argument you’re trying to make...
Source:
First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
First Call is a cross-sectoral, non-partisan coalition of provincial and regional organizations, engaged communities and individuals whose aim is to raise public awareness and mobilize communities around the importance of public policy and social investments that support the well-being of children, youth and families. First Call grew out of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. When Canada ratified that Convention in 1991, its advocates gathered in a National Conference and agreed that it is time to give children a first call on our resources and on our advocacy efforts. The BC representatives were drawn from a variety of sectors: education, health, justice, social services, and others.

Related links:

British Columbia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 886K, 23 pages)
November 2009
- includes nine fact sheets that analyze various aspects of child poverty in BC. and Measures of Poverty (Appendix)
Source:
First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition

Campaign 2000
Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public education movement to build Canadian awareness and support for the 1989 all-party House of Commons resolution to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. Campaign 2000 began in 1991 out of concern about the lack of government progress in addressing child poverty. Campaign 2000 is non-partisan in urging all Canadian elected officials to keep their promise to Canada's children.

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British Columbia Report Card on Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 886K, 23 pages)
November 2009
The BC Child Poverty Report Card includes nine fact sheets that analyze various aspects of child poverty in BC.:
1. BC Had the Worst Record – Six Years in a Row
2. Child Poverty Over the Years
3. Child Poverty by Family Type
4. Persistence of Poverty
5. Child Poverty and Working Parents
6. Families with Children on Welfare
7. I ncomes of Families with Children
8. Child Poverty and the Importance of Government Help
9. What Needs to Happen
Melanie’s Story – The Human Face of Child Poverty
Appendix : Measures of Poverty
Source:
First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition
Relate link:
Campaign 2000

BC Child poverty rate still the worst in Canada:
when will the provincial government take action? (PDF - 79K, 2 pages)
News Release
November 24, 2009
For six years in a row, British Columbia has had the highest child poverty rate in Canada tied only with Manitoba in 2007. Figures released today by First Call, the BC partner in Campaign 2000, show BC at a rate of 18.8 percent of children living in poverty in 2007. The Canadian average in that same year was 15 percent.

Sign the petition for a
BC Poverty Reduction Plan
Source:
BC Poverty Reduction

From the BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives:

The Time is Now
A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC (video slideshow)
by Goh Iromoto, Shannon Daub & Seth Klein
March 27, 2009

Poverty Amid Plenty:
A Slideshow About Welfare in BC (video slideshow)
by Goh Iromoto, Shannon Daub & Seth Klein
March 27, 2009

Source:
BC Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (BC-CCPA)
[ CCPA National Office ]

The time is now for a legislated poverty reduction plan:
200 organizations and community leaders to BC political parties
News Release
February 5, 2009
(Vancouver) Two hundred organizations from across the province joined together today in a call for all-party support for a legislated BC poverty reduction plan.
The 200 groups are signatories to an open letter released today calling on all political parties to commit that, if elected in May, they will implement a comprehensive poverty reduction plan that includes:
* Legislated targets and timelines to reduce BC’s poverty rate by one third within four years, and end street homelessness within two years; and,
* Policy actions in seven key areas that would end deep poverty, improve conditions for the working poor, and focus on groups that are most vulnerable to poverty.

BC Poverty Reduction (home page)
On February 5, 2009, more than 200 organizations and community leaders joined together to call on all BC political parties to commit to a comprehensive, legislated poverty reduction plan. This groundswell of concern about BC’s unacceptably high levels of poverty and homelessness comes from many different communities in BC. It comes from all regions of the province, and from faith leaders, health organizations, doctors, businesses, First Nations and Aboriginal groups, labour unions, immigrant and refugee organizations, community service agencies, municipal councils, women’s groups, and many more.
- scroll to the bottom section of the home page to see the list of organizations (and some individuals who are partners in and supporters of this initiative.

Recommended targets and timelines:
* Using Statistics Canada’s low-income cut off after tax (LICO-AT), reduce BC’s poverty rate from 13 per cent to 9 per cent in four years, and to 3 per cent in ten years (meaning, effectively, a one third reduction within the mandate of the next government, and a 75 per cent reduction within a decade).
* Ensure the poverty rate (using the LICO-AT) for children, lone-mother households, single senior women, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and recent immigrants likewise declines by 30 per cent in four years, and by 75 per cent in ten years, in recognition that poverty is concentrated in these populations.
* Within two years, ensure that every British Columbian has an income that reaches at least 75 per cent of the poverty line (using the LICO-AT).
* Within two years, ensure no one has to sleep outside, and end all homelessness within eight years (ensuring all homeless people have good quality, appropriate housing)

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