Community Updates – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

October 26, 2024May 30, 2025 Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Community Updates, Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update 212

Reconciliation begins with a commitment to truth-telling. However, the burden of truth telling should not be placed solely on the shoulders of survivors. Reconciliation requires institutions, governments and individuals to live up to their own responsibilities and complete/fulfill the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action.

The most recent Annual Report from the National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation reports that the voices of Residential School deniers are getting louder. The truth is that 699 Indian Day Schools were established and operated by the Canadian Government since the 1920’s, with an estimation of over 200,000 Indigenous children attending.

Seven of these schools were located in Bruce County – 4 in Nawash – Sydney Bay, Little Port Elgin, St. Mary’s Junior and St. Mary’s Senior School; and 3 in Saugeen – French Bay, Saugeen Village and Scotch Settlement.

We need to find more opportunities for truth telling. Please read the full report here: 2024-NCTR-2023REPORT-LAYOUTS-FIN-WEB.pdf

FOOD INSECURITY

United Way, OSHaRE and Owen Sound The Salvation Army: have rung alarm bells saying that there will come a day when they won’t be able to keep up with the unsustainable rate of demand for free food. They are calling for income solutions such as the Guaranteed Basic Income. Food banks and soup kitchens in Owen Sound struggle to meet growing demand | CTV NewsDemand for food charity skyrocketing
- OSHaRE served 20,000 meals in September 2024; they provided 20,000 in all of 2020.
- OSHaRE served over 146,000 meals so far this year, the same as in all of last year.
- The Salvation Army Owen Sound is providing groceries to 1,300 clients/month, up 20% from last year alone.
- The Salvation Army Owen Sound is providing over 30,000 lbs (13,610 kgs) of food to families each month. They have provided over $1.5 million of practical food assistance in one year to a community of 21,000 people.
- 125-130 families are attending the bi-weekly Family Assist Market.
Food Affordability and Food Insecurity Report: was released by Grey Bruce Public Health and they are calling for income solutions to food insecurity.Food Affordability and Food Insecurity
- Almost 1 in 5 Grey Bruce households struggle to purchase the food they need and are food insecure (18.3% averaged over 3 years).
- The report determined the cost of groceries for a family of four in Grey-Bruce in 2024 was $289 per week or $1,250 per month, representing a 1% increase from 2023. A single adult, meanwhile, must spend about $434 a month on food to meet Canada’s Food Guide recommendations, which is also a 1% increase from 2023.
- A full-time worker (40-hour week) earning minimum wage, which in Ontario is now $17.20 per hour, earns a gross monthly income of $2,752.
- Female-led single parent and lower income households are vulnerable to food insecurity. In 2022, 41.2% of households with children led by female lone parents were food-insecure.
- In Meaford, a response to the report had Meaford Councillor Harley Greenfield state that municipalities are increasingly being drawn into these sorts of social issues, largely due to pressure from the public, but municipalities aren’t equipped to address social issues, as they have always been outside of the scope of a municipal council. The largest, and likely most important role that municipalities can take on in order to help to find solutions to the housing crisis, or the food insecurity crisis, or the opioid crisis, is that of an advocate by pressuring upper levels of government, who are supposed to oversee such issues, and who are equipped and funded for such problems. GBPH’s Report on Food Affordability Highlights What Many Already Know | The Meaford Independent

Parent Infant Feeding Support: a free virtual infant feeding support group starts up in Hanover (October 16th to December 4th) to support ALL families with food support. They also offer free individual infant feeding support at the Family Health Team.

HOUSING SECURITY

Grey County Housing Action Plan: planning updates to Council of Housing Action Plan – Status Update include regional approaches and Grey County host a networking event in 2025 in relation to the surplus lands for affordable housing project to connect potential cross-sector community partners and explore opportunities relating to housing creation on public lands within the County. Grey County Staff Want To Network On Creating More Housing | Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre
Institute of Southern Georgian Bay: invites community members, housing professionals, and municipal leaders to explore the draft Regional Community Affordable Housing Action Plan. November 13th, 4:30-6pm, Register here: https://vist.ly/3mjjyb3 The Institute recently gave a deputation to the City of Owen Sound. Owen Sound Suntimes Deputation article and the OS Deputation Video. Their presentation starts at 11:33 minutes and runs through a series of excellent post presentation questions.
Built For Zero Canada Dashboard: includes Grey Bruce By Names List data since joining in March 2023.Grey-Bruce Counties: Community Progress Indicators – Google Sheets The Dashboard also includes data from other regions. Built For Zero Canada – Community Progress (bfzcanada.ca)
Ontario Energy Board (OEB): announced price changes for households, small businesses, and farms on Time-of-Use (TOU), Tiered Pricing, and Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) rates starting November 1. Learn more at https://westario.com/oeb-rpp-price-change-nov1/
OEB Winter Disconnection Ban: under the OEB’s winter disconnection ban electricity distributors cannot disconnect residential customers for non-payment from November 15, 2024, to April 30, 2025. Find out more about the rules electricity and natural gas utilities must follow, including those related to disconnection.

INCOME SECURITY

EmployerOne Survey: the survey collects and summarizes local workforce data directly from employers. This information is crucial to local organizations engaged in workforce attraction and retention strategies, strategic planning, and other community projects requiring local labour market data. Employer One Survey – Four County Labour Market Planning Board. Read previous results in the Employer Engagement section at www.planningboard.ca/reports
Basic Income Bill C-223 and S-233: Bill C-223, An Act to develop a national framework for a guaranteed livable basic income, was not passed on Sept 25, 2024. Bills S-233 and C-223 for Unconditional Basic Income in Canada However, Bill S-233 from the senate is still in motion asking the government to produce a report on a potential framework for Basic Income. Consider joining the campaign to support this Bill at: https://nmshr.io/s/email/ZhU1CjnEH_LpQG2rJrM=/r

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

United Way Community Impact Grants: granting call for Grey Bruce charities to apply for funding to support the broader community. Proposal deadline 13 Dec 2024. Community Impact Grants – United Way of Bruce Grey

Stay well, Jill

September 13, 2024 Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Advocacy, Community Updates, Income Security

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 211

There has been a lot of work happening over the Summer of 2024. And while we may think that we are constantly “holding the line” or “trying to keep people from dying”, the work has not gone unnoticed. We want to recognize all our partners who are on the frontlines of saving lives, feeding the hungry and keeping people housed.

The deepening homelessness and opioid crisis has been on every agenda and will continue to be so as rates of poverty and homelessness increases. We need leadership from all sectors and all levels of government to work together with all social sectors to address the issues.

MUNICIPAL ENGAGEMENT

Jill Umbach and Francesca Dobbyn made a deputation before the City of Owen Sound Council on 9 Sept 2024. We spoke to the role of municipal leaders in providing leadership and vision to address social issues in the City. Our presentation starts at the 4:45 minute mark. https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?Id=9b73088c-971b-455b-b817-f7610909e37d
Jon Farmer, City of Owen Sound Councilor spoke to the minutes of the Poverty Task Force of July 2024. Correspondence received which is presented for the information of Council – Council Meeting – Regular – July 22, 2024 (escribemeetings.com)
Jill Umbach gave an update on income & poverty work at the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Advisory Committee meeting on 6 Sept 2024.

INCOME SECURITY UPDATES

ODSP Clawback on Canada Disability Benefit: 1 of 8 letters were sent to the Ontario government. We received a response from the Jason Stanely, Social Assistance Policy Branch, MCCSS and MPP/Minister of Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson.
The Federal Government invites comments on proposed regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit. This consultation will remain open until September 23, 2024.Canadians invited to comment on proposed regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit – Canada.ca Summary of the proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations – Canada.ca
Guaranteed Livable Basic Income: In Sept, the House will vote on Bill C223, for a guaranteed livable basic income. If it passes this vote, it will be the first time that basic income is studied by a federal parliamentary committee! Write to your MP and other decision makers urging them to support the bill at second reading: https://www.leahgazan.ca/glbi_letter_2024 Share the campaign at: https://www.leahgazan.ca/shareables
Welfare in Canada 2023: was published in late July 2024 and looks at the total incomes available to those relying on social assistance (often called “welfare”), taking into account tax credits and other benefits along with social assistance for each province. Welfare in Canada – Maytree
Here is the direct link to the Ontario data. Ontario – Maytree

Four key takeaways:

Deep inadequacy: In 2023, welfare incomes remained deeply inadequate. 55 out of 56 (98%) of households were in poverty, with 40 of them (71%) living in deep poverty.
Federal contribution: Despite the need, the federal government’s support for households receiving social assistance remained minimal.
Cost-of-living impact: The expiration of temporary cost-of-living-related payments in 2023 negatively affected households.
Growing gap: Income support investments varied across jurisdictions. Some made improvements, while others lagged.

Social Assistance Rates: July saw increases for ODSP, nothing for Ontario Works. Also, see the attached table. OW and ODSP rates and OCB as of July 2024 – Income Security Advocacy Centre
Canada’s Poverty Dashboard shows dramatic increases in specific areas of poverty – information that can help communities target both local strategies and advocacy to higher levels of government. Canada’s Official Poverty Dashboard of Indicators: Trends, April 2024 (statcan.gc.ca)
Campaign 2000 Pre-Budget Submission: was submitted on Aug 2nd, 2024, and comments on the patchwork nature of social supports which it finds inadequate and with major gaps. https://campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/PreBudget_2025_C2K_Submission.pdf

FOOD SECURITY UPDATES

Food insecurity continues to grow in our region. Since January 2020 to the end of August 2024, Grey Bruce community meal programs have reported over 800,000 meals were distributed. 115,000 meals were distributed in 2023. All Dashboards | Food Bruce Grey
OSHaRE Community Meal Program: 17,000 meals were distributed in the month of July 2024 and 17,500 meals in August 2024 compared to 20,000 meals distributed over the whole year in 2020. In 2024, OSHaRE shared 146,625 meals with the community.
Family Assist Market (FAM): is held bi-weekly at OSHaRE/Owen Sound. It has grown from 4 families to 80 families since its startup in June 2024. The FAM provides access to community support services with multiple agencies as well as food hampers (Good Food Box/The Salvation Army) and large family size meals from OSHaRE.
Grey Bruce Good Food Box: has released a new flyer for the Fall season. Hanover GFB has a new host organization at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Chatsworth GFB is amalgamating with Owen Sound GFB. Orders and pickup can be made through Owen Sound GFB at OSHARE. Good Food Box – United Way of Bruce Grey
Feed Ontario: has released 2024 Hunger Report saw a 25% increase in food bank visits over last year. https://feedontario.ca/news/ontarians-are-drowning-amid-surging-affordability-crisis/ Feed Ontario has the latest food bank usage data for each municipality at: Hunger in my Riding – Feed Ontario
National School Food Policy: describes the long-term vision for school food programs in Canada, as well as the guiding principles and objectives that will help make this vision a reality. It lays the groundwork for a future where all children can have access to nutritious school meals. Newfoundland and Labrador has become the first province in Canada to sign on to the federal government’s school food program. 4624-National_School_Food_Policy-E.pdf (canada.ca)

HOUSING SECURITY UPDATES

Bruce County is excited to launch a new $100,000 pilot program that offers up to $50,000 to homeowners who wish to build an affordable Additional Residential Unit (ARU) on their property. https://www.brucecounty.on.ca/news/2024-sep-12/additional-residential-unit-funding-pilot-bruce-county-homeowners-50000-build
National Encampments Resource Plan: in the 2024 Federal Budget, the federal government announced an additional $250 million to address encampments in Canada. This follows the Federal Housing Advocate’s call for a National Encampments Response Plan.
National Right to Housing Network: their recent pre-budget submission, which emphasizes calls for measure of accountability; to make sure this $250 million only supports rights-based activities by local governments. NRHN – National Right to Housing Network’s 2025 Pre-Budget Submission (housingrights.ca)
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO): has released a publication on municipal perspectives on encampments.Homeless Encampments in Ontario: A Municipal Perspective (amo.on.ca)
Ontario Big City Mayors: 444 municipalities have launched a new Ontario municipal campaign urging the provincial government to step up. Take Action – Solve Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis (solvethecrisis.ca)Ontario municipalities call on province to address homelessness, opioid crises | TVO Today
Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights: the federal government’s 2024 Budget called for a new Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights. Consultations with tenants’ rights groups has been happening over the summer with the aim to strengthen tenant protections all across the country. Backgrounder: Solving the housing crisis: Canada’s Housing Plan – Canada.ca Chapter 1: More Affordable Homes | Budget 2024 (canada.ca)
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights: has released a new report Nowhere to Go: Gender-based violence and housing insecurity in Ontario – Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (housingrightscanada.com)

Thanks to Pam Hanington for pulling together these latest Housing Reports.

Stay well, Jill

April 16, 2024 Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Community Updates

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 207

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 home 1.
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

March 8, 2024 Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Community Updates, Income Security Action Group, Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update #205

Dear Colleagues,

Happy International Women’s Day!

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion International Women’s Day 2024 (internationalwomensday.com)

INCOME SECURITY

We want to direct you to the Income Solutions to Food Insecurity page and how it looks when we have several infographics and blog posts released. https://povertytaskforce.com/food-security/income-solutions-to-food-insecurity/

We completed a few interviews for radio, tv and print as part of the campaign.
Grey Bruce task force calls for income solutions for food insecurity | The Shoreline Beacon
Grey Bruce Poverty Task Force calling on government to fix food insecurity cknxnewstoday.ca)
Local task force calling for income solutions to fight food insecurity | Owen Sound Sun Times
Health Link – Grey County (rogerstv.com)

CVITP/Income Tax Promotion

Partners are very busy with the start of income tax season! Thank you to the incredible organizations and volunteers that provide this service; and find creative solutions to meet the demand across Grey Bruce.

A reminder that the 211 Grey Bruce Free Income Tax Listing is being regularly updated at freetaxclinics.ca and you can also call 211 to access the same information.

Income Tax promotion and financial literacy: the United Way of Bruce Grey has been involved in income tax information sessions and promotion. If your organization is interested in having us come to your program, please reach out. There are also other CVITP experts in the network that may be available as well.

In the Media: We have just started some radio promotion: The Open Line with Dave Carr | 560 CFOS

Available Postcards: We have printed a postcard for the promotion of the CVITP program that is available to partners to circulate. These are being distributed to various programs and partner organizations. Please contact the United Way of Bruce Grey if you would like postcards for your organization. Thank you to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce for the funding to produce and distribute the postcards.

CRA Updates: the government has announced it is expanding the SimpleFile by Phone service. Starting in Summer 2024, the CRA will also pilot SimpleFile digital and paper options in all the provinces and territories. The CRA plans to consult with stakeholders, community organizations, and tax professionals on the next phase of Canada’s automatic tax filing plan beyond 2025. The Government of Canada is helping lower-income individuals more easily access the benefit and credit payments they are entitled to – Canada.ca

CVITP Volunteer Recruitment: In January- February, the Poverty Task Force assisted with volunteer recruitment and partners are now busy providing services. We have paused the recruitment for this tax season but will be looking for volunteers to join in the Fall for next year’s tax season. While we take names of local volunteers, all volunteers must apply and be screened/approved by the CRA. Community Volunteer Income Tax Program in Grey Bruce needs volunteers! – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

Stay well, Jill