Poverty reduction legislation positive; budget action must follow: 25 in 5 Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, February 25, 2008 – Making poverty reduction the law in Ontario is an important step towards achieving a poverty free Ontario, says the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. But government must take concrete next steps that extend poverty reduction targets to all Ontarians over the next decade, and to make investments now to meet its initial target.

“Legislation is critical to ensuring that poverty reduction becomes central to the Ontario government’s agenda. That’s why we need to get it right from the beginning.” said Greg deGroot-Maggetti of the Mennonite Central Committee. “We need a process to make sure the legislation that gets enacted is as strong as possible to ensure ongoing progress toward a poverty free Ontario, backed by broad public support and all-party endorsement.”

The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction is calling for a commitment from the Ontario government to hold public hearings on this Bill to make sure the legislation benefits from the experience and knowledge of Ontarians. The Network aims to see poverty cut by 25% in 5 years and 50% in 10 years, as steps toward a poverty free Ontario.

“The Poverty Reduction Act is very significant because it acknowledges that poverty is not inevitable and that government can and should create policy to reduce poverty,” said Sarah Blackstock of the Income Security Advocacy Centre. “But there is no time to waste. Concrete investments in the March budget are crucial to both stimulate the economy and reduce child and family poverty by 25% in the next 5 years.”

The Network is also calling for poverty reduction investments in the 2009 provincial budget to fully demonstrate the government’s commitment to meeting its first target. The Network’s Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction lays out concrete investments that government should make now to serve the dual purpose of economic stimulus and poverty reduction.

"The provincial budget could not come at a more critical time. Dire economic times hit everyone hard, but those struggling to make ends meet and those who are newly unemployed are even harder hit, as work becomes scarcer and prices for basic life necessities rise,” said Pat Capponi, Facilitator of Voices From the Street. “Now is the time for Ontario to step up and invest in infrastructure and programs aimed at those living in poverty.”

The Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction is available on the 25 in 5 website at http://www.25in5.ca/Blueprint.html.

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For more information please contact Sarah Blackstock at 416-523-5228.