For Immediate Release March 25, 2008 2008 Budget Confirms Commitment to Poverty Reduction Strategy: ISAC says, Don’t Forget People on Social Assistance encouraged that this budget restates the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for – “We’re the most economically and socially vulnerable Ontarians,” said Mary Marrone, Director of Advocacy and Legal Services at the Income Security Advocacy Centre. that this government understands the importance of “And taking an active role in reducing poverty.” In addition to previously-announced projects for dental care, social housing repair, and nutrition ‘kickstart’ programs, the budget includes a 2% increase in benefit rates for people receiving Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program benefits, mirroring similarly-sized increases since 2005. the widely-acknowledged inadequacy of social assistance incomes must be part of the Poverty “Addressing Reduction Strategy,” said Marrone. 2% increase announced today will keep people on social assistance “The from falling further behind, but we look forward to a strategy that actually begins to reduce the depth of their poverty.” A single mother with one under 12 receiving Ontario Works benefits currently lives more than $5000 below Statistics Canada’s post-tax Low Income Cut-Off. Singles and couples without children are even further below the poverty line. ISAC is concerned that people receiving social assistance, who are among the most vulnerable low-income Ontarians, not be forgotten in the government’s plans to reduce poverty. low-income people in part means ensuring their ability to participate in the government’s upcoming “Including poverty reduction consultation process,” said Marrone. look forward to hearing in the coming weeks that “We dedicated funding will allow for an inclusive, broad-based consultation.” The Income Security Advocacy Centre is a specialized community legal clinic with a provincial mandate to improve the income security of people living in through test case litigation, policy advocacy and community organizing. - 30 - For more information: Jennefer Laidley, Research and Policy Analyst 416-597-5820 x 5150
For Immediate Release March 25, 2008 2008 Budget Confirms Commitment to Poverty Reduction Strategy: ISAC says, Don’t Forget People on Social Assistance – “We’re encouraged that this budget restates the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the most economically and socially vulnerable Ontarians,” said Mary Marrone, Director of Advocacy and Legal Services at the Income Security Advocacy Centre. “And that this government understands the importance of taking an active role in reducing poverty.” In addition to previously-announced ‘kickstart’ projects for dental care, social housing repair, and nutrition programs, the budget includes a 2% increase in benefit rates for people receiving Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program benefits, mirroring similarly-sized increases since 2005. “Addressing the widely-acknowledged inadequacy of social assistance incomes must be part of the Poverty Reduction Strategy,” said Marrone. “The 2% increase announced today will keep people on social assistance from falling further behind, but we look forward to a strategy that actually begins to reduce the depth of their poverty.” A single mother with one under 12 receiving Ontario Works benefits currently lives more than $5000 below Statistics Canada’s post-tax Low Income Cut-Off. Singles and couples without children are even further below the poverty line. ISAC is concerned that people receiving social assistance, who are among the most vulnerable low-income Ontarians, not be forgotten in the government’s plans to reduce poverty. “Including low-income people in part means ensuring their ability to participate in the government’s upcoming poverty reduction consultation process,” said Marrone. “We look forward to hearing in the coming weeks that dedicated funding will allow for an inclusive, broad-based consultation.” The Income Security Advocacy Centre is a specialized community legal clinic with a provincial mandate to improve the income security of people living in through test case litigation, policy advocacy and community organizing. - 30 - For more information: Jennefer Laidley, Research and Policy Analyst 416-597-5820 x 5150
Ontario_Budget_2008_-_ISAC_Response_and_Analysis.docx