Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security, Media, Poverty Task Force

Don’t Miss Out: Filing Your Taxes Could Unlock the Financial Support You Need

July 22, 2026 – Bruce Grey, Ontario – For many Canadians, tax season is viewed as something to simply check off the list each year. But for individuals and families living on a low income, filing an income tax return can be one of the most important financial decisions they make.

United Way of Bruce Grey is encouraging all eligible residents to file their income taxes, even if they earned little or no income. Filing a tax return is the key to unlocking valuable government benefits (Many available in the month of July) and credits that can help cover the cost of everyday essentials such as food, housing, transportation, and raising a family.

Many federal and provincial benefit programs require an up-to-date tax return to determine eligibility. Without filing, people may miss out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars in financial support each year.

Benefits that may be available to eligible individuals and families include:
• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (formerly the GST/HST Credit) – July 3 and October 5
• Canada Workers Benefit – July 10
• Ontario Trillium Benefit – July 10
• Canada Child Benefit – July 20

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) also notes that filing on time helps ensure benefit payments continue without interruption. While late filers can still receive eligible payments after their return is assessed, those payments may be delayed. People who have not filed for previous years may also qualify for retroactive benefit payments once outstanding returns have been submitted and processed.

“Many people assume there’s no reason to file if they didn’t earn enough income to owe taxes,” said Garit Reid, Fundraising Lead at United Way of Bruce Grey. “In reality, filing a tax return can open the door to financial supports that make a meaningful difference for individuals and families who are already stretching every dollar.”

According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), filing taxes is about much more than reporting income. It is how the government determines eligibility for many benefit and credit programs that help Canadians manage rising living costs. Beginning each July, benefit amounts are recalculated based on the previous year’s tax return.

United Way of Bruce Grey recognizes that filing taxes can feel overwhelming, particularly for seniors, newcomers, individuals experiencing financial hardship, or those who have never filed before. Fortunately, free tax clinics are available in many communities through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), helping eligible individuals complete their returns at no cost.

“No one should miss out on benefits simply because they didn’t know they had to file,” Reid added. “A tax return is more than paperwork. It can be the first step toward greater financial stability.”

  • To learn more about available benefits, visit Canada.ca/taxes
  • Call 211 to find the nearest free tax clinic.
  • Click here to see the Grey Bruce 211 free tax clinics list.
  • To get a complete list of each benefits payment date on Service Canada, click here.
  • Prosper Canada also has a Benefits Wayfinder that can help guide you to government benefits you may be eligible for.
Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security Action Group, Media, Poverty Task Force

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program in Grey Bruce needs volunteers!

Volunteers are needed in Bruce and Grey Counties to support people who need help in preparing basic income tax returns.

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program offers free clinics and virtual filing to people with modest incomes in Grey and Bruce Counties.

In 2022, 3,050 people were helped to file their taxes in Bruce, Grey, and Huron Counties at a return of $11 million dollars to our communities.

This is an incredible opportunity to have an impact on the income of seniors, families, and others in our community. You don’t need to be a tax expert to help. Training is provided and you can join other volunteers in your community.

The Poverty Task Force is encouraging people who are interested in volunteering with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program to call 211 or go to volunteer4bgtaxes.ca

To find a free income tax clinic go to: www.freetaxclinics.ca

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Media, Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 86

Dear Colleagues, 

When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, the Tamarack Institute and its members – including the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force – had been celebrating Canada achieving the lowest level of poverty in the country’s history.  However, in 2020 and 2021 many of the successes around poverty and inequality reflected in Canada’s Official Poverty Dashboard have been reversed. 

  • Tamarack Institute’s Communities Ending Poverty Impact Report reports from community stories that income, housing and food insecurity have risen; there is a decrease in physical, mental and emotional well-being; and developmental losses for toddlers 6 years and under are being experienced. With the end of the CERB, emergency savings are depleted and the number of low income individuals and households are increasing. 
  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario reports a disturbing increase in mental health disorders of children and youth through the pandemic. Many are dealing with complex mental health issues beyond anxiety and depression. 
  • Enhanced access to customary care arrangements: the provincial Government is taking action to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous children and youth in the care of children’s aid societies through amendments to Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act so children and youth can remain closer to home, helping ensure they remain connected to their culture and traditions.

HOUSING SUPPORT

  • Housing Outcome for Rural and Urban (Off Reserve) Indigenous Peoples: has released a new Research Insight report. The project revealed 4 outcomes, which are described in detail in the Research Insight:
    • Among Indigenous peoples, perceived general and mental health is better for homeowners. The same holds true for those with affordable and adequate housing.
    • Indigenous youth living in multigenerational households are less likely to attend school. This is mitigated by homeownership and housing suitability and increased household income.
    • Homeownership is associated with a greater likelihood of participating in the labour force and having full-time employment.
    • Indigenous children living in subsidized rentals are most likely to speak an Indigenous language regularly at home. This is followed by children living in market rentals and then by those in owned dwellings.
  • M’Wikwedong Indigenous Housing Support Program: are seeing on average 95 clients/month. 
  • YMCA Housing: provided 1,048 nights for 141 households housed in February 2022. 
  • Safe N Sound: in 2021, SNS gave out 200+ tents and over 1,000 sleep bags.  A reminder that there are laundry facilities at SNS and laundry soap available. Over the next 6 weeks, South East Grey CHC will be carrying out drop-off income tax clinics with guests.  
  • Homelessness Prevention Program: the provincial government is investing an additional $25 million annually to help more people experiencing or at risk of homelessness find the right housing services and other supports. As of April 1, 2022,  three existing programs will be combined: Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative, Home for Good, and the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program. The new investments can be used to fund the operation of supportive housing units created through the province’s $1 billion Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF).
  • Grey County Housing Task Force: received a report today on progress of new supported housing build and exploring the use of public land for housing. 

ADDICTION SUPPORT

  • Naloxone Kits in the workplace:  the provincial government has introduced legislation that will require workplaces that are at risk of a worker opioid overdose to have naloxone kits.
  • Needle Syringe Program site at Grey Bruce Health Unit (101 17th St E Owen Sound) has reopened. Open 8:30am-4:00pm, Monday to Friday.

FOOD SECURITY SUPPORT

  • Love You No Matter What tailgate soup kitchen; are now providing meals for up to 80 people each Sunday both downtown Owen Sound as well as at area motels. Since November 2021, they have served about 750 meals. 
  • Eat Local Grey Bruce: has found a new home in Meaford. 
  • School food literacy: the provincial government announced food literacy will be mandatory for all Ontario students in grades 1-12 to ensure that students are given opportunities to grow food, prepare food and learn about local foods. 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SUPPORT 

SENIORS SUPPORT 

  • Seniors Community Grant Program the provincial government announced funding of $6 million in 2022-23 for seniors-based projects that help Ontario’s seniors stay safe, healthy, active and connected to families and friends in their communities. Applications are open until April 28, 2022, at Ontario.ca/getfunding for community organizations, municipalities and Indigenous organizations. 

TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT

  • Ontario Good Roads Conference: Bruce and Grey counties will be requesting delegations with the Minister of Infrastructure at the 2022 Ontario Good Roads Conference to talk about the challenges of providing public transportation in rural communities. 
  • The delegation and request to the minister would ask the Ontario Government to investigate and report back on the potential to extend the Community Transportation Program, with the aim of developing a comprehensive Provincial Rural Transit program.
  • Ad Hoc Transportation Action Group: The Poverty Task Force will be calling an Ad Hoc Transportation Action Group meeting to discuss ongoing issues ranging from challenges with transit routes & accessibility, volunteer drive programs, etc. under COVID19. Contact Jill Umbach if this impacts your work and are interested to join the discussion.

Stay well, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Advocacy, Income Security Action Group, Media

Putting a spotlight on poverty

United Way of Bruce Grey and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force wants to put a spotlight on poverty in our community.

Basic needs are increasingly out of reach for people living on low-income, and people with insufficient income face impossible choices every single day. For people living with disabilities, further barriers related to employment, social exclusion, and higher cost of living make it even more difficult to thrive without comprehensive supports.

After the 1.5% rate increase in October 2018, a single person receiving Ontario Works will still be 65% below the poverty line receiving only: $ 732/month.

On average,1 949 households per month access Ontario Works in Grey County and Bruce County in 2018.

July 2018 profiles:

Of the July case load:

  • 1148 clients, or 62% were single,
  • 595 clients, or 31%, were sole supporting parents
  • Balance were dual parent families or couples with no children.

ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) has a caseload of 6855 households in Grey Bruce. A single person on ODSP is 55% below the poverty line receiving $1 151.

Ontario’s low income cut-off puts the poverty line at $2 080 for a single person.

The lonely girl cries in the street

Any increases to Ontario Works caseloads are attributed to positive changes in regulations around income supports such as child support no longer being considered income, increase asset limits which allow people to keep more of their earned income and savings as well as the eligibility requirements for youth 16 and 17 living on their own.

Transitioning people out of poverty and to a life of sustainability requires many supports. Access to transportation, childcare that is affordable and fits the schedule of the jobs available.

We also need to ensure that the right supports are there for the right demographic of people needing supports. With 62% of recipients being singles, we need to ensure there are supports beyond those just focused on children and families.

The United Way of Bruce Grey and the Poverty Task Force look forward to working with the new Provincial government on addressing rural poverty needs.

Microsoft PowerPoint - PTF Election Graphics_4August2018

 

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