Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security

67% OF HOUSEHOLDS IN ONTARIO WITH SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AS THEIR MAIN INCOME ARE FOOD INSECURE

Incremental, unpredictable, small bumps to social assistance rates are not going to bring social assistance incomes anywhere close to a liveable rate.

The longer people living on social assistance rates are forced to wait for rate increases, the more they will be forced to suffer food insecurity, ill health effects, housing precarity, risk of abuse, and increased vulnerability to violence.

Send the letter to your MPP and let them know that you support doubling the rates. Double OW and ODSP Rates Now! – Income Security Advocacy Centre

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security

52% OF HOUSEHOLDS IN ONTARIO RECEIVING SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE FOOD INSECURE

Provincial and federal governments have multiple policy options to ensure people can afford basic needs like food and rent. Starting with repairing our social safety net.

A guaranteed livable basic income, indexing social support to inflation and reducing clawbacks, income tax changes that enhance credits for low-income households can all contribute to an income floor sufficient for affording basic needs like food and rent.

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security

When HAVING A JOB DOES NOT HELP YOU GET AHEAD

Stagnant or precarious incomes combined with rising costs of living are a recipe for food insecurity.

Having a job is not enough to protect families from food insecurity and poverty. Grey Bruce’s 2023 Living Wage is $22.75 – well above minimum wage. Living Wage – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

Action that improves job quality and opportunities and ensures a Guaranteed Livable Basic Income is needed to counter institutionalized food insecurity.

Join the Basic Income Network to learn more at: Home – Basic Income Canada Network

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security

Real SOLUTIONS TO FOOD INSECURITY ARE INCOME BASED

If food charity isn’t a solution, then what is? We need policies that target the root causes of food insecurity. Share your support for these evidence-informed policies:

  • Living wages for all workers
  • Quality jobs with benefits
  • A Guaranteed Livable Basic Income
  • Tax credits for low-income households
  • Increasing low-income tax thresholds
  • Improving access to tax benefits through automatic tax filing
  • Increasing social support and indexing benefits to inflation

Food insecurity is a policy choice and we all deserve better.