Dear Colleagues,
It is budget time again.
Today the Federal government announces its 2024 budget. We have already had hints of what is included with the release of its Housing Plan. Infrastructure Canada – Solving the Housing Crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan and funding for a national school food program. Trudeau announces budget funding for national school food program – The Globe and Mail
- Secondary Suite Loan Program: As part of Budget 2024, the federal government aims to make it easier for Canadian homeowners to increase the number of units in their homes. Homeowners with extra space, such as unused basements or garages, can now convert them into rental suites. To facilitate this, a new Secondary Suite Loan Program will allow homeowners to access up to $40,000 in low-interest loans for adding secondary suites. These new rental units can provide additional housing options for Canadians and potentially serve as a source of income for seniors aging at home1.
- Rental Credit Score: Small scale Landlord Credit Bureau with tenants is available now. And we understand that you would have to be “substantially late” to have a negative impact. Federal plan would count rent toward a credit score. Who will it help — and who could it hurt? | CBC News
- Financial Inclusion Project observations: People are struggling right now because there is the risk of “bad credit” from not being able to pay rent. Rent in arrears are rising from national average of 6.5% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2023. We are in a housing crisis and more and more people, through no fault of their own, are struggling to pay their rent on time.
- National School Food Program: is welcomed by most agencies including Campaign 2000 but it is recognized that supporting an income solution to food insecurity must go hand-in-hand with feeding children. Campaign_2000_Press_Release_-_National_School_Food_Program.pdf (campaign2000.ca) The Poverty Task Force is a member of Campaign 2000. We also continue to advocate for Income Solutions to Food Insecurity social media campaign. Income Solutions to Food Insecurity – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force
- Federal Minimum wage: has beenincreased to $17.30/hr. Ontario’s current minimum wage is $16.55/hr and will rise to $17.20/hr starting October 1, 2024. In the event of a discrepancy between the federal and provincial rates, the employer must pay the higher of the two. Federal minimum wage now up to $17.30 per hour – Sarnia News Today
- Pharmacare Plan: with the tabling of the Pharmacare Act in February 2024, the Federal government is in the first phase of delivering a national pharmacare plan. Government of Canada Introduces Legislation for First Phase of National Universal Pharmacare – Canada.ca Coverage for contraceptives will mean that 9 million Canadians of reproductive age will have better access to contraception and reproductive autonomy, reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies and improving their ability to plan for the future.
The Ontario government released its 2024 budget 2024 Ontario Budget | Building a Better Ontario
- ODSP and OW Rates: The Budget confirms that the ODSP will see an annual inflation adjustment to core allowances thanks to the government’s previous decision to index it. While any increases should be applauded, ODSP rates are still far too low. Meanwhile, the inflation adjusted rates for OW were already $200 below where the Harris government left them in 1995. The Ontario government fails to live up to its human rights commitments in Budget 2024 (maytree.com)
- Ontario Minimum Wage: will rise to $17.20/hr starting October 1, 2024 Ontario Raising Minimum Wage to Support Workers | Ontario Newsroom
- Housing: the government continues to invest in housing with investing nearly $2 billion in new municipal infrastructure funding.
INTER-GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
- Bruce County Government Relations Department: a new Government Relations department will advance Bruce County’s local priorities as part of their new strategic planning. Aaron Stauch is the new Director. Bruce County Creates Government Relations Department | Bruce County
- Approach to Homeless Encampments: The AMO Board approved an advocacy approach to the federal and provincial governments and to undertake member education about homeless encampments. On February 13th, the Federal Housing Advocate released a final report, which recommended the establishment of a National Encampments Response Plan by August 31, 2024, among other recommendations. The federal government is required to respond within 120 days. Upholding dignity and human rights: the Federal Housing Advocate’s review of homeless encampments (housingchrc.ca)
- AMO will produce an advocacy and guidance paper that reiterates municipalities’ commitments to address encampments within the context of ending homelessness, while firmly calling on the federal and provincial governments to meet their human rights obligations and support municipalities and District Social Service Administration Boards to address the root causes of encampments as a symptom of homelessness.
- Housing Focused Approaches to Encampments: the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness will host a webinardiscussing how to end homelessness for people living in encampments using housing-focused and person-centred approaches. April 22nd, 12 noon. Register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom
- City of Owen Sound and Kincardine Municipality Motions: to support income solutions and an increase for ODSP/OW rates. Owen Sound Councillor Wants Provincial, Federal Action To Enhance Income Supports | Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre and Council Meeting – March 27, 2024 (escribemeetings.com)
HOUSING
- Safe N Sound Overnight Pilot: the pilot program ran for the winter of 2023-24 (1 Nov 2023 to 31 Mar 2024). Grey County and Safe n Sound are currently evaluating the pilot including Safe n Sound staff and participants’ experiences. Grey County Staff looked at a snapshot of who was accessing SNS services in the short-term shelter program in January. They found people lived less than 3 years in Grey County (4%) 3-10 Years in Grey County (26%), 10+ years in Grey County (70%). In the first 4 days after the overnight program closed, SNS gave out 15 tents.
- Bynames List: the number of people experiencing active homelessness decreased from 217 (Jan 2024) to 162 (Mar 2024) and those experiencing chronic homelessness decreased from 144 (Jan 2024) to 130 (Mar 2024).
HARM REDUCTION
- Drug Test Provincial Pilot Program: Grey Bruce Public Health will introduce the provincial pilot program by the end of April. A take-home drug test kits containing strips that test for fentanyl, benzodiazepines (sedatives) and xylazine (a sedative or tranquilizer) will be distributed. The idea is to inform drug users and encourage them to take precautions, such as not using alone or using less of the drug.
- 40 local reports of suspected opioid-related drug overdoses in the first 3 months of 2024 – 35 (Grey County) and 5 (Bruce County.
- 4 overdose deaths (Grey County) and 1 death (Bruce County) Pilot project to offer drug users kits to test their drugs | Owen Sound Sun Times
- Overdose Remembrance: partners came together for a memorial in Owen Sound. United Way Helps Remember Those Who Died From Overdoses | Country 93
Stay well, Jill