Poverty Reduction Strategy
Op-Ed
In
Ontario, poverty is a problem we can’t afford. The time for action is
now.
That’s
why on December 4, our government announced our Poverty Reduction
Strategy.
It’s
a comprehensive strategy focused on breaking the cycle of poverty so that
all kids have the chance to reach their full potential.
Most
of us agree that there is a moral case to be made for reducing poverty.
Helping people get ahead is the right thing to do.
But
right now in Ontario, the economic argument for reducing poverty is
equally compelling. It’s the smart thing to do.
A
report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks and TD Bank’s Don
Drummond found that the cost
of poverty is over $13 billion. Each year. That’s almost
$3,000 for every household in the province.
The
cost of ignoring poverty is simply too high. That’s why we’ve
developed a long-term plan to break the cycle of poverty.
Our
plan pledges to increase opportunity for all kids in poverty and reduce
the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years –
that would translate into 90,000 kids being lifted out of poverty.
The
best poverty reduction strategy is a strong, publicly funded education
system. We’re going to build on the signature investments we’ve made
in education over the past five years.
More
kids will have support to succeed in school. And we’ll invest a range of
new and enhanced pre-school, early-learning, after-school, and summer
programs, especially in high-needs neighbourhoods.
Families
living in poverty need more money in their pockets. That’s why we’re
boosting our government’s landmark Ontario Child Benefit.
1.3
million children in low-income families will get up to $1,310 a year by
the time our strategy is fully implemented. This means that the total
income of a single parent with two children under age 13 working full time
at minimum wage will be 54 per cent higher than it was in 2003.
We’re
going to have to be realistic. Reaching our 25 in 5 target relies on our
investments, a federal government that is willing to come to the table as
a full partner, and a growing economy.
But
we believe that there is cause for optimism.
For
the first time ever, Ontario has both a commitment and a specific plan in
place to break the cycle of poverty.
But
our work has just begun. We have a good, solid, ambitious plan. And it’s
going to take all of us working together to make it a reality.
Deb
Matthews
Chair
of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
Minister
of Children and Youth Services
