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On September 17, the government announced that were going to continue funding the Homelessness Partnering Initiative, the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and the Affordable Housing Initiative.  The total commitment is for 1.9 billion dollars over the next five years.

This sounds impressive.  However, 350 million dollars per year spread across the entire country will barely maintain the status quo.  If you factor in the rising costs of delivering these programs and the growing need, we will be no further ahead in solving the housing problem five years from now than we are today.

Canada remains one of the only developed countries without a comprehensive national housing strategy.  The funding announcement that was made is a good downpayment that may prevent us from slipping even further behind.  However a new government must be committed to bringing all the stakeholders together from government, non-profit housing providers, homebuilders and community agencies to develop a national housing strategy that will see the kinds of resources committed to solving this problem.

It is refreshing to see that Canada's national newspaper supports government spending in infrastructure and community services as a way making sure that we are competitive in our ability to attract business investment.  An editorial in todays edition points out that Canada already has one of the most competitive business tax rates among G7 nations and cautions against assuming that lowering tax rates further will entice more business investment.

They cite a KPMG report that says, among other things:

On average, companies say that tax makes up only one-fifth of their  "location-sensitive" costs

The Globe editorial points out the need for government investment, supported by a strong tax base, in things like transportation infrastructure and health care.  They also mention quality of life indicators like crime rates and public schools.

The following editorial from the Toronto Star of Sunday, May 4 about says it all:

Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews has begun the process of consulting with communities about how to reduce poverty in this province. But already anti-poverty groups are raising concerns about how she is going about it.

"Matthews, who heads a cabinet committee drafting the government's promised poverty reduction strategy, announced Thursday that she is holding 13 consultation meetings across the province. But the meetings are by invitation only and behind closed doors. "

That has led to fears among groups in the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction that the consultations will exclude those who need to be consulted the most: people living in poverty.

"We are glad she is getting into the field but we're concerned about how this has been organized and about getting communities engaged to take part," says Peter Clutterbuck of the Social Planning Network of Ontario, a partner in the 25 in 5 Network.

Read the full post

April 14, 2008
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

MacDonald Block
900 Bay Street, Toronto

25 in 5: Network for Poverty Reduction is hosting a day-long froum on April 14 to build momentum for Ontario's poverty reduction plan.  Share strategies on how to keep working to ensure Ontario gets a real plan to reduce poverty.  Hear from people lining in poverty, those working on poverty reduction at the community level, and practical ways to bring more people into the conversation

Breakout sessions include the opportunity to learn more about:

• How to make change locally
• How to engage the private sector in poverty reduction
• Racialization of poverty
• Communicating for change
• Organizing communities out of poverty
• How to reduce poverty in urban and rural areas
• Cross-community collaboration

There is no fee to register.  However, space is limited.

Please contact the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto to register
416-351-0095 extension 251
25in5@cspc.toronto.on.ca