The ACTEW Blog

Today, Deanna attended the provincial forum at Queen’s Park led by the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction. Nearly 500 stakeholders attended, representing social services, municipal governments, health, labour, and people affected by poverty as the Network launched the 25 in 5 Declaration. The Network asks the provincial government for a plan to reduce Ontario poverty levels by 25% in 5 years and by 50% before 2018. According to the Network, it should address 3 priorities:

1. Sustaining employment


2. Livable income


3. Strong and supportive communities

Minister Deb Matthews, chair of the Poverty Reduction Cabinet Committee, spoke at the event (for more information on Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, visit our blog from Jan 22, 2008). Minister Matthews talked about the “foundational principles” the committee has agreed upon in engaging this process, which include:

• An “opportunity-based” approach—building on strengths rather than pathologies and ensuring the plan is focusing on providing opportunities for success to individuals experiencing poverty


• Develop person-centered strategies—rather than services and supports that are fractured and actually work against each other in reducing poverty


• Every person has a role to play in reducing poverty—this includes business and community leaders, a cross-section of provincial ministries, and requires the federal government to be at the table in discussions. This also includes municipal governments and local communities


• “Get smarter with the money being spent”—invest in evidence-based social policy to evaluate outcomes of programs and approaches, and invest in programs that are achieving outcomes that lift people out of poverty

Note that the committee will be undergoing an “engagement process” over the next few weeks across Ontario—as we hear of consultations and opportunities for communities, agencies and individuals to provide input into this important work we will send information along.

Labels: Issues_and_Trends, Meetings_and_Events