Earlier this month the Government of Ontario released their long-awaited strategy to reduce poverty over the next five years. The new Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy, Realizing Our Potential 2014-2019, was welcomed by members of the Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination almost one-year after providing input via an official submission to the province and participating in community conversations with members of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction.

The Poverty Task Force applauds the Government of Ontario for taking bold steps toward ending poverty by identifying broad goals to move forward on. In particular, the PTF is pleased to see the new strategy expand its focus from children to include other vulnerable groups, including newcomers and unattached adults, as well as to set a clear commitment to ending and preventing homelessness. Additionally, promises to explore opportunities to expand health benefits to all long-term Ontarians, reform the social assistance system, and invest in supporting local solutions to poverty are all positively received by the Poverty Task Force.

“Ensuring that everyone has a place to call home as well as access to the resources and supports that they require to live with dignity are key priorities for the Poverty Task Force,” commented PTF Co-chair Stuart Beumer. “We are pleased to see how the issues identified in the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy align with the goals of the PTF.”

However, the Poverty Task Force, along with other anti-poverty initiatives across the province, is disappointed to see a lack of clear targets and timelines included. The PTF is calling on the Province of Ontario to introduce a clear implementation and investment plans that will ensure the goals outlined within the new strategy are achieved.

“We want to see the goals outlined in the strategy become a reality for people living in poverty in our community,” said Sarah Haanstra, PTF Co-chair. “We think targets and timelines are an incredibly important part of keeping the Government of Ontario accountable and on track.”

Members of the Poverty Task Force will closely follow the progress of the renewed Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy and look forward to potential opportunities to work with the province to bring results to Guelph and Wellington. The full Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy is available online at http://www.ontario.ca/home-and-community/realizing-our-potential-poverty-reduction-strategy-2014-2019.