The Income Security Advocacy Centre released a new policy report In Their Own Words: The State of Social Assistance in Ontario. Read the full report here.
Join us on Thursday June 25, from 10:30 to 12 pm, for the launch of the Income Security Advocacy Centre’s new report, In Their Own Words: The State of Social Assistance in Ontario, including a community discussion about the findings AND how to turn this data into action!
The event will be hosted and moderated by ISAC’s Community Organizer, Claudia Calabro.
If you haven’t had a chance to read the report but are curious about the findings, or, you want to hear about how we can use the info in the report to push forward advocacy on social assistance and workers’ rights issues, this is the event for you.
Note: This event will likely not be recorded, so please register: http://bit.ly/3Sm0X9D
Vital Signs 2026 is a community check-up that measures vitality, identifies significant trends and supports action on issues that are critical to our quality of life. Our report contains important data on 6 topics related to life in Grey Bruce: health and wellness, the environment, living standards, arts and culture, education, and community connections.
This report is part of a nation-wide movement where numerous Community Foundations from across Canada release their individual Vital Signs reports. Visit the Vital Signs website at www.vitalsignscanada.ca to read reports from other regions.
The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force is a contributing member of the Vital Signs Advisory Committee along with other partners. Our partner perspective is featured in the 2026 Report in the section on living standards. Living standards refers to the distribution of wealth and economic security, including employment opportunities, housing and homelessness, poverty, food security and transportation.
Affordable housing and addressing homelessness are major considerations in providing community health, economic vitality, and reducing public costs on health care and emergency services. This Report has a dedicated section focused on housing and homelessness. This follows up on the Vital Conversations on Housing Report 2021.
Between 2021 and 2023, 18.3% of households in Grey Bruce experienced food insecurity, an increase from 17.5% in 2020. At the same time, the cost of groceries has become unaffordable for many families. In 2024, a family of four required approximately $1,250 per month for groceries alone.
These are not just statistics —they show a crisis in our communities rooted in poverty, policy, and systemic inequality. Food insecurity is not a matter of charity. It is a matter of justice.
The Poverty Task Force’s recent Written Submission to the Federal 2026 Pre-Budget Consultation urges the Government of Canada to take immediate action in its 2026 Budget to address rising poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, and economic inequality in rural communities. Across Grey and Bruce Counties, local organizations are facing unprecedented demand for emergency food programs, housing supports, and financial assistance while families struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Rural communities are increasingly being asked to compensate for gaps in public policy through charitable food programs and emergency supports. While these programs are vital, they cannot replace strong income security systems, affordable housing, accessible childcare, and equitable social supports.
Food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty are not caused by individual failure. They are the result of inadequate incomes, unaffordable housing, low wages, and insufficient public investment in social infrastructure. Budget 2026 presents an opportunity for the federal government to strengthen Canada’s social safety net and ensure that all Canadians can meet their basic needs with dignity.
A Call to Action
Food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty are not caused by individual failure. They are the result of inadequate incomes, unaffordable housing, low wages, and insufficient public investment in social infrastructure. Budget 2026 presents an opportunity for the federal government to strengthen Canada’s social safety net and ensure that all Canadians can meet their basic needs with dignity.
The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force recommends the following federal priorities:
Improve transportation and employment opportunities for youth.
Reduce household food insecurity through stronger income supports and investments in equitable food systems.
Strengthen the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
Increase the Canada Disability Benefit to end disability poverty.
Simplify and expand eligibility for disability-related federal benefits.
Invest in affordable childcare and the early learning workforce.
Expand affordable and supportive housing in rural communities.
The United Way of Bruce Grey/Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force and community partners are expanding their commitment to senior well-being with a series of webinars designed to help older adults better understand and navigate retirement income.
Retiring on a Low Income for Seniors in Grey Bruce Webinarswill deliver a series of accessible webinars for seniors living with low-income and the professionals who support them in community hubs in Grey and Bruce Counties.
Friday, May 8th, 2026 10:30am-12:30pm: What Seniors Get (Government Incomes)
Friday, May 22nd, 2026 1030am-12:30pm: Income Tax Systems
Friday, June 5th, 2026 10:30am-12:30pm: Parallel Universe (the financial reality for low-income seniors, when conventional financial wisdom does not apply)
These free webinars are designed for individuals aged 45 to 65, particularly those with low or moderate incomes, as well as those navigating programs such as Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Registration is requested to ensure space and availability at each location.
Expert-Led by Leading Policy Specialist
With thanks to funding from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce, we are pleased to bring John Stapleton, founder of Open Policy Ontario, a leading expert in income security and social policy to our screens.
John Stapleton brings 28 years of experience with the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and has held key advisory roles on national poverty reduction strategies, income security and social assistance policy reform. He is currently a Policy Fellow at the National Institute on Ageing and has published extensively on financial security issues affecting seniors and low-income populations.
“John’s expertise ensures participants receive clear, practical guidance grounded in real-world policy and experience,” said Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of United Way of Bruce Grey.
Addressing a Growing Need
With more than one-quarter (26.2%) of the local population aged 65 and older and many households earning below $72,500 annually, financial insecurity remains a significant concern in Grey and Bruce Counties.
Many seniors with low-income rely on programs such as Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), yet barriers such as program complexity can prevent them from accessing available government supports.
“These webinars are about helping seniors understand financial strategies for retiring better when faced with no other option but to retire low-income,” said Jill Umbach, Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “Join us to learn more, ask questions and access supports.”
Community-Based and Accessible
Webinars will be hosted in-personat 11 community hubs:
South East Grey Community Health Centre (Dundalk and Markdale)
Beaver Valley Outreach (Thornbury)
Meaford Public Library (Meaford)
YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce (Owen Sound)
M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre (Owen Sound)
Ontario Disability Support Program/Ontario Works (Owen Sound)
The Salvation Army (Wiarton)
Bruce County Public Library (Kincardine and Port Elgin)
Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce (Hanover)
Open Policy Ontario is a social policy consultancy led by John Stapleton that focuses on research, analysis, and practical solutions to address poverty and income insecurity. The organization works to help governments, community agencies, and advocates better understand complex policy issues, particularly those related to social assistance, retirement income, and benefits systems. Open Policy Ontario
