Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul regarding Bill 152 – Poverty Reduction Act, 2009.

 April 21 2009

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a nonprofit registered charity that has been serving our neighbours in need in Ontario since 1850.  Our volunteers help those seeking assistance by visiting them in their homes providing material assistance, friendship and hope in order to help alleviate the degrading and debilitating aspects of living in poverty.

Throughout the province of Ontario, 4600 of our volunteers made over 70,000 such visits to people seeking assistance in 2007. Our involvement in home visitations has also prompted us to become involved in other works that attempt to deal with issues of poverty in a more concentrated and specific manner.  In Toronto, we operate four emergency and transitional shelters for women funded by the City of Toronto.  Provincial funding allows us to operate three homes for the developmentally disabled and provide residential and counseling services for people battling addictions. An affiliated corporation is a registered nonprofit housing provider, operating a 164 unit affordable housing building. 

As front-line volunteers and service providers, we know first hand that the causes of poverty are diverse, complex and numerous. We support the current government’s intention to embark upon a long-term strategic planning process intended to reduce the pervasiveness of poverty in our communities. The following amendments to Bill 152 - Poverty Reduction Act, 2009 are suggested as a means of achieving the goals of the legislation in a more effective and efficient manner.

 Recommendation #1 – Right to live poverty-free.

 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul feels that the United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights should serve as a guiding document informing the spirit of Ontario’s poverty elimination strategy.  Access to adequate food, shelter, education and healthcare is a fundamental human right.

 The Preamble should be amended to read:

 The Government's poverty reduction strategy is guided by the vision of a province where every person has the right to access decent affordable housing, nutritious food, education and healthcare, unencumbered by poverty. The reduction and eventual elimination of poverty is an important component in allowing for each person to achieve his or her full potential, and contribute to and participate in a prosperous and healthy Ontario.

 Recommendation #2 – For the benefit of all Ontarians

 Poverty in Ontario is pervasive and evident in most communities.  Poverty’s effect on all types of households and individuals should be acknowledged in the Act.

 Principles (2), Number 4 should be amended to read:

4. That families and individuals be supported so that they can play a meaningful role in the reduction of poverty and in promoting opportunity.

 Recommendation #3 – Including all stakeholders and committing resources.

 It is important that any poverty reduction strategy enjoys the support of the communities, groups and individuals that are called to participate in the plan’s implementation.  Key stakeholders need to have their opportunity to participate in the development and review of any poverty reduction strategy and the public policy that flows from that strategy.

 Accordingly, Section 5, Regular Consultation, should be amended to read:

 5. The Minister shall consult annually with the Poverty Reduction Review Panel to assess the ongoing progress of the poverty reduction strategy. This panel shall be comprised of key stakeholders representing the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and individuals, including those living in poverty.

 and,…

 Section 6(2)(b) , Regular review of long-term poverty reduction strategy, should be amended to read;

 6 (2) As part of a review under this section, the Minister,

 (b) shall arrange for consultation to be carried out with the Poverty Reduction Review Panel.

To further emphasize this collaboration and the government’s commitment to success, Section 6 (3) should be amended to read:

 (3) Based on its consultation with the Poverty Reduction Review Panel and after consideration of the written and oral representations it receives, the Government shall issue a new long-term poverty reduction strategy for Ontario and commit the resources required to implement the strategy, working in conjunction with other levels of government and the private and nonprofit sectors.

 Conclusion

 The Society of St. Vincent de Paul believes these suggested amendments would strengthen Bill 152 and assist in achieving the intended goals of the legislation. It is important that Bill 152 firmly establishes the principles and institutional capacity required to work towards bettering the lives of all Ontarians through the eventual elimination of poverty. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul looks forward to working with the government in order to achieve our mutual goal of eliminating the barriers poverty presents for so many of our neighbours in Ontario’s communities.

 Advocacy Committee, Toronto Central Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Voice of the Poor Committee, Ontario Regional Council, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Go To Top