E NewsSummer 2012

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Campaign 2000s E-Bulletin, Summer 2012 -- Page 1 of 11

END CHILD & FAMILY POVERTY IN CANADA

Campaign 2000 E-BulletinJuly 2012

Working for a National Plan to Make Canada Poverty-Free

Updates from the National Scene

New federal All-Party Anti-Poverty Caucus is launchedA new federal All-Party Anti-Poverty Caucus was launched on June 12and Campaign 2000s Laurel Rothman attended its first event onParliament Hill. With at least 40 MPs and Senators signed up, this

promises to be a valuable forum for poverty issues.

The Caucus co-chairs are the Hon. Michael Chong, MP (Conservative),Jean Crowder, MP (NDP) and Hon. Art Eggleton, Senator (Liberal). Thecaucus treasurer is the Rev. Don Meredith, Senator (Conservative).Weencourage you to send a message of thanks and support to each ofthem: [email protected],[email protected],[email protected], and [email protected].

Well be watching closely as this caucus starts its work in the months and years to come.

MP Scott Brisons study on income inequality in Canada (M-315)In June, a majority of MPs from all parties approved a motion to study income inequality initiated by the Hon. Scott Brison, MP forKings-Hants, Nova Scotia. The Finance Committee is expected to begin the study later in the year and will accept briefs of up to fivepages. For the latest news and all related details on the debates and discussions of the motion, please search M-315 at:http://openparliament.ca/

Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food sparks concerns about the governments failure toaddress widespread hunger

Campaign 2000 was pleased to be part of the civil society presentations when Olivier de Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur met inToronto as part of his cross-Canada travel organized by Food Secure Canada. His report expressed concerns about the failure oCanada, as a wealthy country, to deal adequately with hunger and to meet its human rights obligations. Most unfortunately, severafederal ministers rejected de Schutters comments. More than 100 other organizations, including Campaign 2000, sent a stern letter tothe Prime Minister.

Inuit activists in Nunavut highlighted the deplorable conditions in which nearly 75% of pre-schoolers live in families which do not havea reliable supply of food. Along with visits from both Liberal critic, MP Caroline Bennett and NDP MP Jean Crowder, people acrossNunavut continue to protest. The Faceboook site Feeding My Family now has 22,000 members almost half the population oNunavut!

New CCPA video calledA Day in the Life of TaxesCanadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) has made a video celebrating a day in the life of taxes. It's time to start having theconversation about how our taxes contribute to a healthy society -- public health care, garbage pick-up, safe food, clean water, public
http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170497&Language=Ehttp://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170315&Language=Ehttp://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers/Senate/SenatorsBiography/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=2774&sortord=N&Language=E&M=Mhttp://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers/Senate/SenatorsBiography/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=2871&sortord=N&Language=E&M=Mmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://openparliament.ca/http://openparliament.ca/http://issuu.com/familyservicetoronto/docs/fst-annual_report-webversion?mode=window&viewMode=doublePagehttp://openparliament.ca/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers/Senate/SenatorsBiography/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=2871&sortord=N&Language=E&M=Mhttp://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers/Senate/SenatorsBiography/isenator_det.asp?senator_id=2774&sortord=N&Language=E&M=Mhttp://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170315&Language=Ehttp://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=170497&Language=E


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parks, emergency services, higher learning - the chance to live in great communities, with the hope of reaching our personal dreamsTaxes, they're the gift we give each other. The video, produced in partnership with the Scretariat Intersyndical des services publics(http://www.sisp.qc.net/), is available in Englishhttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/multimedia/day-life-your-taxesand French.

International UpdateThe new UNICEF Report Card #10 on child poverty in rich nations reveals that Canada is 24 th out of 35 wealthy nations inchild poverty using internationally comparable measures. As UNICEF wisely counsels, poverty is the one line we want ouchildren to cross! And its not happening fast enough. Children remain more likely to live in poverty than the overall population. Fomore information, visit:http://www.unicef.ca/en/discover/article/unicef-report-card-10

Donate to Campaign 2000

With poverty reduction strategies in place or being developed in most provinces and territories, were continuing to makeprogress. Your ongoing support is crucial at this time of the year -- with your renewed support, we can keep the momentumgoing. Please send your donation today to Campaign 2000, c/o Family Service Toronto, 355 Church Street, Toronto, ONM5B 1Z8 or donate online through Canada Helps atwww.campaign2000.ca Thank you for your support!

Updates from Regional Partners

British Columbia

Province Introduces Community Poverty PlansLast November when First Call published the 2011 BC Child Poverty Report Card showing BC still had the highest child poverty rateamong all the provinces, the provincial government responded with a promise to develop regional poverty reduction strategies. Workingwith the Union of BC Municipalities, the province has since announced 7 pilot communities and its intention to have local povertyreduction plans in place in each community in BC by 2014/15. No additional provincial funding has been announced for this project.

Governments logic is that each community and family has differen t needs that willhave to be met in order to move out of poverty. In their fact sheet on this project,they emphasize access to jobs and skills training as a means of poverty reduction.However, we know that many working families remain in poverty in 2009, 48% ofBCs poor children lived in families with at least one parent working full -time, full-year. While the minimum wage has recently been raised, it needs to go up to atleast $11 an hour to keep even a single full-time worker above the poverty line.

Also, not every parent is able to go to work. Barriers to working include caring foryoung children and other family members, lack of access to child care, anddisabilities, among others. Families on income assistance must also be supportedto reach an adequate standard of living.

BC is now one of only two provinces without a provide-wide poverty reduction strategy. Read First Callssummary and commentary onthe community plans, and theminutesfrom our recent coalition meeting attended by the Deputy Minister responsible for the plans.

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

The PRC has been doing outreach work with youth in high schools, focusing on educating them about charity versus justice-basedapproaches to reducing poverty. The Coalition has also launched a research project on poverty in BCs queer and transgendecommunities, and will focus on support for a provincial poverty reduction plan leading up to the provincial election in a years time. Visitheir website atwww.bcpovertyreduction.ca.
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/multimedia/day-life-your-taxeshttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/multimedia/day-life-your-taxeshttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/multimedia/day-life-your-taxeshttp://www.unicef.ca/en/discover/article/unicef-report-card-10http://www.unicef.ca/en/discover/article/unicef-report-card-10http://www.unicef.ca/en/discover/article/unicef-report-card-10http://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/BC%20poverty%20reduction%20plans.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/BC%20poverty%20reduction%20plans.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/BC%20poverty%20reduction%20plans.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/BC%20poverty%20reduction%20plans.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/minutes%20may%209.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/minutes%20may%209.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/minutes%20may%209.pdfhttp://www.bcpovertyreduction.ca/http://www.bcpovertyreduction.ca/http://www.bcpovertyreduction.ca/http://www.bcpovertyreduction.ca/http://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/minutes%20may%209.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/BC%20poverty%20reduction%20plans.pdfhttp://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/BC%20poverty%20reduction%20plans.pdfhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.unicef.ca/en/discover/article/unicef-report-card-10http://www.policyalternatives.ca/multimedia/day-life-your-taxes


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Living Wage for Families Campaign

Hosted by First Call, Living Wage for Families has now certified over 25 employers in Metro Vancouver, includingVancity, Canadas largest credit union; the United Way of the Lower Mainland; the Canadian Cancer Society BCand Yukon Division; and the Vancouver offices of SAP, one of the worlds largest enterprise software companiesThe campaign is currently focusing on a research project on living wages at Simon Fraser University, listeningcircles with low wage parents, and organizing with faith groups. Living Wage for Families is also providing supportto living wage campaign efforts in BC communities outside Metro Vancouver. Find out more at

www.livingwageforfamilies.caandwww.lwemployers.ca.

MLA Lives on Welfare for a Month

The Raise the Rates Coalition successfully organized with Jagrup Brar, a member of theprovincial legislature, to live on the welfare rate of $610 for the month of January. MLA Brardivided his time between a rooming house in Surrey and an SRO room in VancouversDowntown Eastside, and met with numerous community groups. The media coverage of hisexperience was intense, and resulted in a lot of debate and recognition of the inadequacy owelfare rates. However, Brar and his colleagues in the provincial NDP have yet to state thatthey support raising the rates. You can read Brars blog about his experiences a

www.mlaonwelfare.com.

The publicity around Brars experience and the publication of another Cost of Eating report bythe Dietitians of Canada, BC Branch boosted advocacy efforts to get both the current Liberalgovernment and the opposition NDP to commit to raising welfare rates. Read an op-ed co-authored by First Calls Adrienne Montanihere.

School teachers, community colleges and community groups across the province have beenvery active in organizing public forums on the depth and impact of child poverty in BC.

Alberta

The 2012 Alberta Budget was passed immediately before a provincial election was called. The April 23rd election saw Albertas

Progressive Conservative dynasty returned to power with a record 12th

majority. The Conservatives successfully withstood a strongchallenge from the right wing Wildrose Party in part through a budget and election platform designed to appeal to progressive voters.

The most significant budget initiative was a $400 increase in monthly income benefits for severely disabled adults. Albertans on sociaassistance saw a much more modest 5% increase to benefits after a 2.5-year freeze. The yearly income level for families accessingchild care subsidies went up by 40% to $50,000 for full subsidy. Supports for formerly homeless persons were increased (thoughfunding to build additional affordable housing units was reduced).

The biggest surprise came after the mid-point of the provincial election campaign. If re-elected, the Conservatives promised to adopt a10-year plan to reduce poverty, and a 5-year plan to end child poverty. This promise was not part of the partys original electionplatform, nor had it been costed. The claim was made that the poverty elimination plan could be funded by finding savings elsewherewithin the Human Services Ministry. Campaign 2000 partners quickly pointed out that additional public investment will clearly berequired to achieve such an ambitious goal.

Major urban centres including the Cities of Calgary and Edmonton have recently adopted municipal poverty reduction strategies. Thisis a moment of great opportunity having unexpectedly achieved what many of us having been advocating for years. But, a lofty goahas been set without any real sense of the effort, policy changes and resources required to achieve it. This creates the risk of failure orpolicy reversal down the road.

Public Interest Alberta recently released new statistics on the number of low-wage workers in Alberta that shows that close to one infour employed Albertans make less than $15/hour. 78% of these workers are over 20 years of age with 25.6% over the age o45. 61% of low wage workers in Alberta are women. For more details check out Public Interest Albertas websitewww.pialberta.org
http://www.livingwageforfamilies.ca/http://www.livingwageforfamilies.ca/http://www.lwemployers.ca/http://www.lwemployers.ca/http://www.lwemployers.ca/http://www.mlaonwelfare.com/http://www.mlaonwelfare.com/http://www.timescolonist.com/health/welfare+recipients+need+immediate+relief/6477605/story.html#ixzz1sWWjV2mkhttp://www.timescolonist.com/health/welfare+recipients+need+immediate+relief/6477605/story.html#ixzz1sWWjV2mkhttp://www.timescolonist.com/health/welfare+recipients+need+immediate+relief/6477605/story.html#ixzz1sWWjV2mkhttp://www.pialberta.org/http://www.pialberta.org/http://www.pialberta.org/http://www.timescolonist.com/health/welfare+recipients+need+immediate+relief/6477605/story.html#ixzz1sWWjV2mkhttp://www.mlaonwelfare.com/http://www.lwemployers.ca/http://www.livingwageforfamilies.ca/


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Saskatchewan

On January 17, 2012 the Regina Urban Aboriginal Strategy (RUAS) released the Coffee House Report based on discussions abouhomelessness and housing. In partnership with the Collaborative City, RUAS held the Coffee House Conversations from Septembe2010 to March 2011 with the objective of raising awareness of the issue in the city of Regina. You can read the report on the PovertyFree Saskatchewan website:http://www.povertyfreesask.ca/news-and-events

While recent news releases from the Saskatchewan provincial government indicate positive gains, citing additional funds for housing

initiatives and the lowest unemployment rates in the country, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in Saskatchewan is cautiouswith the governments prosperity through austerity budget plan that was released in March. CCPA believes that the best way toensure that the Saskatchewan Advantage benefits everyone is a fair return on the provinces natural resources and a fair re turn fromthe corporations that profit from these natural resources. You can obtain the full response herehttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/ccpa-saskatchewan-2012-budget-response. The Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry(RAPM) also questioned why austerity was the main thrust of the budget when the government of Saskatchewan delivered a budgetsurplus and the economy is booming. Its time for investing in social programs especially those that low-income people need, RAMPPeter Gilmour added.

In April 2012, the Childrens Advocate Office tabled its 2011 Annual Report in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. With a newtone under the leadership of Childrens Advocate Bob Pringle, the report called for more urgent action on developing a Saskatchewanpoverty reduction strategy to address social and economic drivers of the child welfare and criminal justice systems, and improvingservices and outcomes for Aboriginal children, youth and their families, with substantial supports, interventions and opportunities tosucceed and counter the inter-generational trauma experienced by First Nations and Mtis families and communities. Full report isavailable at:http://www.saskcao.ca/

The Disability Income Security Coalition was pleased with the recent (June 1) transfer of all people with disabilities to the SAID(Saskatchewan Assured Income for the Disabled) program. Each beneficiary completed a self-assessment explaining the impact thathe disability has on her/his daily life. SAID was previously for people with disabilities who were living in institutional settings. As parof the transfer, all beneficiaries received a minimum of an additional $200. per month. The Coalition sits on several workingcommittees with government officials and is pleased with the governments commitment to work toward socially acceptable levels obenefits.

Manitoba

Campaign 2000 (Manitoba) has been very active in 2011 and 2012, particularly at an organizational level, in partnership with a numberof local social service agencies. As well, because two elections took place last year, it was an opportunity to raise poverty as a publicand political issue.

The Campaign 2000 committee organized two important consultations. The first in March focused on how local organizations couldcoordinate common advocacy activities. About 30 agencies took part and recommended how they could share information andsupport, and how the Social Planning Council could play the role of local conductor of the advocacy orchestra. A second

consultation, following the provincial election and drawing in over 40agencies, focused more on what the policy change agenda should befor Manitoba.

As part of the Make Poverty History (Manitoba) coalition, Campaign2000 worked to get child and family poverty recognized as an electionissue. None of the four main political parties highlighted poverty in theirplatform statements, though at least the Green Party and the LiberalParty raised the issue in some of their statements.

Leading up to the provincial election, the 2011 Child and Family PovertyReport Card emphasized that the poverty numbers have not changedmuch over the years, despite government efforts. In Manitoba, the rateof food bank use among children is more than twice as high as inCanada as a whole, at almost one in ten children.
http://www.povertyfreesask.ca/news-and-eventshttp://www.povertyfreesask.ca/news-and-eventshttp://www.povertyfreesask.ca/news-and-eventshttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/ccpa-saskatchewan-2012-budget-responsehttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/ccpa-saskatchewan-2012-budget-responsehttp://www.saskcao.ca/http://www.saskcao.ca/http://www.saskcao.ca/http://www.saskcao.ca/http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/updates/ccpa-saskatchewan-2012-budget-responsehttp://www.povertyfreesask.ca/news-and-events


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Ontario

Whats New?With the release of our most recent provincial Report Card, Poverty Reduction in an Age of Uncertainty and Change in February2012, Campaign 2000 alerted the province to the plight of the 393,000 children living in poverty in Ontario. Recommendations includedthe need for a stronger social safety net, with a focus on housing, childcare, post-secondary education and training, especially for ouryouth. To read the full Ontario Campaign 2000s latest Report Card, click here:http://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/reportcards/2011Ont.%20Report%20Card_Feb2012.pdf

In March 2012, prior to the provincial budget release, Ontario Campaign 2000, with other networks, initiated a strong Open Letter toPremier Dalton McGuinty, supported by over 40 local and provincial partners as well as numerous individuals. The main messagewas: stop building the economy on the backs of the poorest in the province.

In response to the provincial budget released in April, Ontario Campaign 2000 expressed disappointment with the complete disregardfor poverty reduction. In this minority government, the negotiation between Premier McGuinty and NDP Opposition Leader AndreaHorwath and pressure from civil society resulted in a 1% increase in social assistance rates, transitional funding over three years toassist childcare services as full day kindergarten is implemented, and a wealth surtax on those who earn over $500,000 a year. TheOntario budget in the end was passed narrowly in the Legislature in June.

Ongoing Efforts

The Commission for the Review of Social Assistance will be releasing its final report in September 2012, and Ontario Campaign 2000has been active in meetings with partner organizations and people who may be directly affected by the changes to determine possibleresponses. Submissions and responses have also been contributed at every step of the consultation process, including a recensubmission on the importance of a gender lens on social assistance rates, with our partners at YWCA Toronto and the Income Security

Advocacy Centre. With the current provincial budget including only a 1% increase in social assistance rates, the recommendations othe Commissions report will be critical if transformative change is to become government action.

In partnership with Alliance for a Poverty-Free Toronto, an educational kit on How to Lobby your MPP was developed as an importancommunity engagement tool. A webinar was held in May on how to lobby MPPs with many of our provincial supporters involved. Thelobby kit and other resources are available at:http://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/resources.html

Looking Ahead

With the addition of a Youth Engagement focus to Ontario Campaign 2000, and our Witnesses of Poverty volunteer project unfolding(see our YouTube video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sYVmPF1XJIs) we are looking forwardto a creative approach to anti-poverty education and awareness raising with local youth in Toronto. Hopefully that conversation wicontinue province-wide.

We continue to honour the relationships and progress made in the first phase of the Bringing in Womens Voices project by con tinuingour social media work, by sharing the unique and important experiences of low-income marginalized women in our work and by activelyseeking funding for the next phase.

Quebec

The Collective for a Poverty-Free Qubec (Collectif pour un Qubec sans pauvret), a coalition of more than 35 Quebec-wide

organizations, unions, community, labour, religious, feminist, student, cooperatives as well as fifteen regional collectives, was active inthe extraordinary community mobilization that began as a student strike against proposed post-secondary tuition increases. As SergePetitclerc, spokesperson at the Collective, expressed it, the problem of funding university education is not only a fiscal problem its amatter of a political vision. Which vision will (the government of) Quebec choose? One that leads to impoverishment and growinginequality or, conversely, one that is inspired by a real social solidarity? The Collective has made its choice by walking with thestudents.

In response to the March provincial budget, le collectif decried that there were no measures to improve the situation for singles, thepoorest group in Qubec. Between 2003 and 2009, the rate of low-income single people, according to the Market Basket Measure(MBM), increased to 25.7% from 21.5%. In other words, more than one person in four in Quebec does not have the income to cove
http://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/reportcards/2011Ont.%20Report%20Card_Feb2012.pdfhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/reportcards/2011Ont.%20Report%20Card_Feb2012.pdfhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/resources.htmlhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/resources.htmlhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/resources.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sYVmPF1XJIshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sYVmPF1XJIshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sYVmPF1XJIshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sYVmPF1XJIshttp://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/resources.htmlhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/reportcards/2011Ont.%20Report%20Card_Feb2012.pdf


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their basic needs. For single women, it's even worse: more than one in three lives in poverty. Yet, the budget did not address this oany other group in poverty.

The May 1st increase to the minimum wage brought it to $9.90 from $9.65. While this is a 2.6% hourly minimum wage increase, theconsumer price index increased by 3% in Quebec. To make work truly a pathway out of poverty, le collectif recommended setting theminimum wage at $11.20 for 2012.

Nova Scotia

Whats New

The 2012-13 budget was rather disappointing in regard to poverty reduction. The emphasis continues to be on deficit reduction andholding the line on social spending. Despite modest increases in income assistance (IA) benefits, the NS Child Benefit, and anincrease in the Poverty Reduction and Affordability tax benefits, these barely kept up with the increase in the cost of living. There waslittle mention of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. We had also heard that the PRS was not amongst the 7 or 8 strategies that thegovernment is rolling out in the coming weeks/months. At a recent meeting organized by the Community Coalition to End Poverty(CCEP-NS) with the Deputy Minister to the Premier, it was confirmed that the Poverty Reduction Strategy that had been developed latein the previous governments mandate was now off the table. We understand that the reasoning behind this decision was that a) it wasnot an NDP strategy; and b) poverty reduction does not resonate with voters. We are not sure what this means for the future of povertyreduction in Nova Scotia.

Several other strategies which have either been announced or are in the offing (mental health; affordable housing; transportation; earlychild development) could contribute to poverty reduction if they are designed with this in mind. The mental health strategy announcedrecently received mostly good reviews from the mental health communitythough the governments support for the restructuring oyouth support at the IWK Health Care Centre and the layoff of youth support workers gave a rather mixed message for the future. Nolong ago the government also announced a consultation on early child development and care with a view to a strategy announcementlater this summer (see discussion paper at http://www.gov.ns.ca/earlyyears/pub/Early%20Years_Discussion%20Paper_EN.pdf)Poverty reduction and womens rights advocates are hopeful that this will include the development of a properly-funded early learningand childcare system in Nova Scotia.

Ongoing Efforts

Work on poverty reduction continues at the grass roots level. A new affordable housing network has been organized and thegovernment has promised to work with this group on a new affordable housing strategy. However, funding for affordable housing islimited and there is some skepticism that it will satisfy the growing need in rural communities and Halifax Regional Municipality(HRM)expected to see increased housing prices when the Ships project gets going. Regional and community groups also continue towork on poverty reduction at a community level; one of the more promising and forward looking is in Antigonish which is combiningpoverty reduction work with a green approach. The Womens Action Coalition also continues to advocate with the government onaffordable housing, poverty reduction and violence issues. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives-NS continues to raise povertyissues wherever there is an opportunity and CCEP has joined with CCPA-NS and other organizations to put on several Lunch andLearn events in Halifax on poverty related issues (Bill C-10; public pensions; the federal and provincial budgets to name just a few)These have been well attended.

Looking Ahead

Now that the previous governments PRS is off the table and given that there will be an election within the year, there may be moreroom to push for a more progressive poverty reduction strategy. CCEP has now been incorporated under the Nova Scotia Societys Acso that we can attract more members, develop the Coalition with accountable and effective decision making processes, and seekfunding for at least a part time coordinator.


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New Brunswick

Grim and Grimmer

The Provincial Poverty Reduction strategy, announced by the previous Liberal Government in 2009, is limping along. The Legislatureunanimously passed the Economic and Social Inclusion Act in November 2009 and created a Crown Corporation the Economic andSocial Inclusion Corporation (ESIC). Targets and timetables were se t out in the legislation: by 2015, the province will have reducedincome poverty by 25% and deep income poverty by 50%.

On June 12, the government announced a new dental and vision plan for children of low-income families. The plan will cover about22,000 children aged 18 and under. Low income is determined according to the Market Basket Measure for New Brunswick families. Afamily of four with two children, for example, would be eligible to receive benefits if their after-tax income is at or below $31,142.

Subcommittees that were created to examine social assistance reform, social enterprise and prescription drug plans for low incomeresidents continue to meet. The province has been carved up into twelve Community Inclusion Networks (CINs) and each has acoordinator and a Community Plan.

A recent increase in Social Assistance (SA) caseloads is a clear reminder of the importance of keeping poverty reduction a priorityWhile the government focuses on balancing its operating budget with cuts - the province's Taxpayer Protection Act requires areferendum if government wants to introduce a new tax, raise the HST or impose highway tolls - food bank operators report an

increase in demand. In March, more than 41,200 residents were on Social Assistance.

In the meantime, proposed federal Employment Insurance (EI) reforms will impact all jobless Canadians who apply for benefits and wilhit hardest repeat claimants such as seasonal workers. According to Statistics Canada, 43,410 New Brunswickers collected EI inMarch.

The numbers are daunting. More than 84,500 residents are receiving EI or SA. According to the last census New Brunswick had apopulation of 755,000.

Prince Edward Island

Community disappointed with government plan to reduce poverty

On May 30 the government of P.E.I. announced what many expected to be a Poverty Reduction Strategy. Campaign 2000 partner, theMacKillop Centre for Social Justice, prefers the term Poverty Eradication because the word reduction is devoid of real commitmentand doesn't make a strong enough statement about the need to end poverty. The P.E.I. government calls it a Social Action Plan toReduce Poverty. It is a very disappointing paper, more like a report of past action than a plan or strategy for the future. It places muchemphasis on the past tense and commits few resources and does not reflect the situation of those in poverty.

There are a few positive points: allowing people to keep more of their assets when they are forced to go on short-term assistance butthe details are not given; follow up on a report with the Disability Action Council; interdepartmental cooperation among threedepartments; move towards establishing measures to enable generic medications to be purchased by government at a lower price -routine work by the dept. of health.

Some weaknesses include: few resources committed; no measurable targets; no measurable timelines; no mention of a wholegovernment approach involving all ministries; no mention of an annual report to the Legislature and no mention of a senior cabineminister to account to the public and see the plan through. But why should there be since there really is no strategy or evidence thatgovernment understands the complexities of poverty or the depth of the poverty people in this province are experiencing?

When this Plan is measured against the proposed cuts to EI; the imposition of an HST which will hit low income people harder and theelimination of many provincial part-time jobs on highways and in government departments, there is really nothing to celebrate. Coalitionmembers are left with a feeling of having been misled by the provincial government. This begs the question: Where do we go fromhere?


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Other resources and sites:

Missed Opportunity for PEI Poverty Strategyhttp://www.progressive-economics.ca/2012/05/31/missed-opportunity-for-pei-poverty-strategy/

The Cost of Poverty in PEI http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/cost-poverty-prince-edward-island-2011 Progressive Economics Forum Blog http://www.progressive-economics.ca/relentless/

Newfoundland and Labrador

The week of May 27th to June 1st marked the Early Childhood Educators Week in Newfoundland and Labrador and to mark theoccasion, the Community Sector Council, our provincial partner, released a new tool kit called From the ground up: lessons fromVibrant Communities playgroup tool kit (May 2012). Against a background ofsome significant boosts in support of ECE beingannounced by the provincial government, its worth stopping to think about what having viable, accessible child care really means, andthats exactly what CSCs Vibrant Communities team has been doing.

Poverty Reduction and Supporting FamiliesCSC presented to a pre-budget hearing and identified the following key issues that need to be addressed in the provinces povertyreduction strategy:

Literacy levels of school age youth A disturbing number of students in school are evidencing lack of literacy skills and there is a concurrent shortage o

opportunities within the system for youth who wish to remain in school to get individualized support to improve theirliteracy levels

Community groups are identifying that many young people who are still in school have been moved along without havinga reasonable level of literacy. This causes considerable stress

Employers are remarking that a considerable number of youth entering the work force are missing even the basic skillsrequired to perform on the job. This is not supportive of building a top level labour force.

Insufficient quality child care and early learning spaceso The pressing array of barriers, constraints and affordability is a problem for low-income and middle-income families

especially BUT is also a problem for all income levels in terms of consistent quality and accessHigh cost, too few spaces, long waiting periodsPart time needs but people have to pay full time fee level to attendOffering tax credits helps only those who pay taxes, those who use formal care (who have official receipts). Credits areof little value to those who cannot afford to pay and wait for a return upon tax filing

Limited support for child care subsidies while parents are seeking workRestricted hours of service do not meet flexible work shifts

Budget brings modest increases to spending on poverty reduction

The 2012-13 budget contained $150 million for poverty reduction measures including an additional $11 million (estimated) more thanlast year. The province is continuing its long-term approach to social investments in both income support programs and a range ocommunity services that both prevent and ameliorate poverty. Some key budget items are:

Indexation of social assistance rates and expansion of the Earned Income Supplement which enables working loneparents on social assistance to achieve economic independence

Additional funding to expand the Rent Supplement program Additional funds for the Residential Energy Efficiency Program which provides energy savings to households Funds to construct an additional 245 affordable housing units and to assist up to 2,500 low-income households with

repairs

Continued funding to help at-risk youth remain in school
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2012/05/31/missed-opportunity-for-pei-poverty-strategy/http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2012/05/31/missed-opportunity-for-pei-poverty-strategy/http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/cost-poverty-prince-edward-island-2011http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/cost-poverty-prince-edward-island-2011http://www.progressive-economics.ca/relentless/http://www.progressive-economics.ca/relentless/http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/cyfs/0525n12.htmhttp://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/cyfs/0525n12.htmhttp://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/cyfs/0525n12.htmhttp://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/cyfs/0525n12.htmhttp://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/cyfs/0525n12.htmhttp://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/cyfs/0525n12.htmhttp://www.progressive-economics.ca/relentless/http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/cost-poverty-prince-edward-island-2011http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2012/05/31/missed-opportunity-for-pei-poverty-strategy/


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The post-budget announcement of the commitment to double annual budget for child care by 2021-22 to approximately $56 millionunder the 10-Year Child Care Strategy was also welcomed.

The Territories

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories (NWT) Premier Bob McLeod announced in February his government would work collaboratively on an NWT anti

poverty strategy (http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/what-we-heard-from-northerners-about-poverty/). A Social Envelope Committee, chairedby Minister Glen Abernethy, was created as a special committee of the NWT Cabinet to lead the interdepartmental work. TheGovernment said it intends to complete the Strategy by December 2012.

At the same time Premier McLeod released a report called What We Heard from Northerners about Poverty. It is a summary ofeedback from focus groups, interviews and an online survey conducted by the NWT government (GNWT) last year.http://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/2012%2002%2008%20%20What%20We%20Heard%20from%20Northerners%20about%20Poverty%20Report.pdf.

This announcement followed intensive advocacy work before, during and after the fall 2011 territorial election by members of a NoPlace for Poverty alliance (http://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/Supporters%202011%2012%2014.pdf) which began calling for astrategy in December 2010.

Collaborative work toward Poverty-Free NWT is underway

The GNWT work is being led by the Acting Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Gloria Iatridis who has beenmeeting with stakeholders, including representatives of Aboriginal self-governments and the No Place for Poverty alliance. A crossdepartmental GWNT working group and an external steering committee have been set up to guide the anti-poverty strategydevelopment. The external steering committee is made up of a representative from business, the GNWT, the federal government, NoPlace for Poverty Alliance, Aboriginal Governments and a person experiencing poverty. A key result of the Anti-Poverty Roundtable inJune was an action plan on which the participants reached consensus and a draft vision and strategic priorities. Discussions onguiding principles and goals and objectives were initiated. Participants also agreed on a theme: Poverty-Free NWT. A secondroundtable will be held in the fall to continue work on the strategy and action plan. Participants will be engaging communities indiscussions about the draft strategy and action plan in the coming fall and winter. Those discussions will include conversations abou

community action plans.

There was no funding set aside specifically for development or implementation of an Anti-Poverty Strategy in the May territorial budget(http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/budget-2012-13-highlights/) while more than $1 million was set aside for the development of an EconomicDevelopment Strategy and a Mineral Development Strategy. Members of the No Place for Poverty alliance will continue to press for apoverty perspective to be included in such strategies.

In the meantime, background research is being provided to the June roundtable on topics such as Early Childhood Care and Educationand family violence which were not addressed in the What We Heard from Northerners about Poverty document. We are also workingwith the GNWT to compile findings and recommendations from previous initiatives, such as the Social Agenda and the Truth andReconciliation Commission.

The Anti-Poverty Strategy will be informed by the Mental Health Strategy launched in June. As in Nunavut, an NWT anti-povertystrategy is likely to differ from existing provincial strategies with more attention paid to the mental health, trauma and addictions issueswhich are a legacy of our colonial history and residential school experience.

YUKON

Whats new?

Three publications were recently released on the issue of poverty and housing. Nick Falvo, PHd candidate fromCarleton released: Poverty Amongst Plenty, Waiting for the Yukon Government to Adopt a Poverty ReductionStrategy (www.homelesshub.ca). The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition released its progress report on A Home fo
http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/what-we-heard-from-northerners-about-poverty/http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/what-we-heard-from-northerners-about-poverty/http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/what-we-heard-from-northerners-about-poverty/http://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/2012%2002%2008%20%20What%20We%20Heard%20from%20Northerners%20about%20Poverty%20Report.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/2012%2002%2008%20%20What%20We%20Heard%20from%20Northerners%20about%20Poverty%20Report.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/2012%2002%2008%20%20What%20We%20Heard%20from%20Northerners%20about%20Poverty%20Report.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/Supporters%202011%2012%2014.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/Supporters%202011%2012%2014.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/Supporters%202011%2012%2014.pdfhttp://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/budget-2012-13-highlights/http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/budget-2012-13-highlights/http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/budget-2012-13-highlights/http://www.homelesshub.ca/http://www.homelesshub.ca/http://www.homelesshub.ca/http://www.homelesshub.ca/http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/budget-2012-13-highlights/http://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/Supporters%202011%2012%2014.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/2012%2002%2008%20%20What%20We%20Heard%20from%20Northerners%20about%20Poverty%20Report.pdfhttp://aged.alternativesnorth.ca/pdf/2012%2002%2008%20%20What%20We%20Heard%20from%20Northerners%20about%20Poverty%20Report.pdfhttp://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/what-we-heard-from-northerners-about-poverty/


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Everyone: A Housing Action Plan for Whitehorse(www.yapc.ca) andthe Yukon Government made public its 2010 Bridges and Barriers:Yukon experiences with poverty, social exclusion and inclusionhttp://www.abetteryukon.ca/files/bridgesand_barriers.pdf

Minimum wage was raised to $10.30/hour as of May 1, 2012 A short public consultation on the outdated Landlord and Tenant Act is currently underway. Advocates are pressing

for changes that will clearly demonstrate the balance between landlord and tenant rights and responsibilitiesincluding clarity around cause for eviction, minimum rental standards and the inclusion of rights as well asresponsibilities for landlords and tenants

Blood Ties Four Directions (AIDS, Hep C) is building a tiny house for one of their clients using donations from thecommunity. The City of Whitehorse waived the cost of sewer and water hookup. This is the only new transitionahousing currently being built in Whitehorse

The Yukon Government officials indicate that the Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Strategy is expected to bereleased this fall.

NUNAVUT

Nunavuts Poverty Reduction: The Makimaniq PlanSince 2010, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated have been working together to create an action plan toreduce the prevalence of poverty in communities throughout Nunavut. In November of 2011, Nunavut held its first Poverty Summit inIqaluit where The Makimaniq Plan, Nunavuts poverty reduction plan, was released. The Makimaniq Plan takes a shared approach areducing the high levels of poverty by collaborating with citizens, including those with lived experience of poverty, government, nongovernment organizations, and businesses.

Implementation of the plan began in February and will continue for eighteen months. The following aspects of poverty reduction are

included in the strategy:

Collaboration and Community Participation Healing and Wellbeing Education and Skills Development Food Security Housing and Income Support Community and Economic Development

A five-year plan is to be developed following the implementation of this initial eighteen-month poverty reduction plan. To review the fulreport The Makimaniq Plan in more detailclick here:http://www.makiliqta.ca/uploads/The%20Makimaniq%20Plan_FINAL_ENG_20.12.11.pdf

Nunavuts First Public Health Strategy: Building Healthy Communities (2008-2013)

In 2008, the Government of Nunavut created Nunavuts first public health strategy, which focuses on the need to prevent and care for ilhealth conditions and diseases in order to establish and maintain healthy communities throughout Nunavut. The five year public healthstrategy has two main priorities: healthy child and family development and addition reduction.

To review the full report Building Healthy Communities (2008-2013) in more detailclick here:http://www.premier.gov.nu.ca/apps/UPLOADS/fck/file/publications_page/Public%20Health%20Strategy%20-%20English%20final.pdf
http://www.yapc.ca/http://www.yapc.ca/http://www.yapc.ca/http://www.abetteryukon.ca/files/bridgesand_barriers.pdfhttp://www.abetteryukon.ca/files/bridgesand_barriers.pdfhttp://www.makiliqta.ca/uploads/The%20Makimaniq%20Plan_FINAL_ENG_20.12.11.pdfhttp://www.makiliqta.ca/uploads/The%20Makimaniq%20Plan_FINAL_ENG_20.12.11.pdfhttp://www.premier.gov.nu.ca/apps/UPLOADS/fck/file/publications_page/Public%20Health%20Strategy%20-%20English%20final.pdfhttp://www.premier.gov.nu.ca/apps/UPLOADS/fck/file/publications_page/Public%20Health%20Strategy%20-%20English%20final.pdfhttp://www.premier.gov.nu.ca/apps/UPLOADS/fck/file/publications_page/Public%20Health%20Strategy%20-%20English%20final.pdfhttp://www.makiliqta.ca/uploads/The%20Makimaniq%20Plan_FINAL_ENG_20.12.11.pdfhttp://www.abetteryukon.ca/files/bridgesand_barriers.pdfhttp://www.yapc.ca/


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Campaign 2000s E Bulletin Summer 2012 Page 11 of 11

Special Thanks to all the contributors

Our sincere thanks go to partners and friends who contributed and shared these regional updates, including: Adrienne Montani of FirsCall: BC Child & Youth Advocacy Coalition; John Kolkman of Edmonton Social Planning Council and Bill Moore-Kilgannon of PublicInterest Alberta; Bonnie Morton of the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry; DennisLewycky and Sid Frankel of Social Planning Council oWinnipeg; Stella Lord of the Community Coalition to End Poverty in Nova Scotia; Randy Hatfield of Human Development Council, NBMary Boyd of MacKillop Centre for Social Justice;Aggie Brockman of Alternatives North; Kristina Craig of the Yukon Anti-Poverty

Coalition; Laurel Rothman, Liyu Guo, Stefanie Morra, and Pearl Mendonca of Campaign 2000; & Gilles Seguin of the Canadian SocialResearch Links:http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/index.htmas well as other partners.

Campaign 2000s E-Bulletin provides regular updates (2 - 3 times a year) on activities to reduce and eventually eradicatechild and family poverty across Canada with news and views, political analysis, commentary on government action oinaction, and links to the latest research findings and reports. To unsubscribe from Campaign 2000s E-Bulletin at any timee-mail us [email protected]. For more info, please visitwww.campaign2000.caandwww.familyservicetoronto.org. You can also download previous editions of Campaign 2000 e-bulletin on our website ahttp://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/enews.html

Campaign 2000 is proudly supported byFamily Service Toronto
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/index.htmhttp://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/index.htmhttp://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/index.htmmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.campaign2000.ca/http://www.familyservicetoronto.org/http://www.familyservicetoronto.org/http://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/enews.htmlhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/enews.htmlhttp://www.campaign2000.ca/reportCards/enews.htmlhttp://www.familyservicetoronto.org/http://www.campaign2000.ca/mailto:[email protected]://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/index.htm

E NewsSummer 2012

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