Poverty 101

Poverty is when a person does without basic resources such as food, clothing and shelter. It is also when a person has no friends, family or mentors to help in times of need.

Poverty is also when a person’s physical, mental or emotional condition prevents them from being able to learn or go to school, seek medical help, have a sense of purpose, find a stable job and participate in social activities.

Situational poverty is generally caused by a sudden crisis or loss and is often temporary.

Generational poverty occurs in families where at least two generations have been born into poverty.

Poverty is not neutral. Indigenous People live in poverty as a direct result of Colonial and federal laws that stripped people of their traditional lands, languages, livelihoods, cultures and children.

Climate Justice is an approach that applies a social justice framework to the ways we understand and respond to climate change. The approach seeks to equitably distribute the cost and benefits related to adaptation and mitigation measures by centering the well-being and wisdom of those most impacted by climate change.

Health Equity means that ALL members of the community have opportunities to be healthy and receive quality care that is fair and appropriate to their needs, no matter where they live, what they have or who they are (Health Quality Ontario, 2018).

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force supports the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy – Opportunity for All. Specifically to invest in more programs that

lift people out of poverty, in a dignified manner, by ensuring they can afford basic needs—such as safe and affordable housing, healthy food, and health care
ensure economic barriers – such as daycare, transportation, racial and gender discrimination – are reduced
promote full participation in society and equitable opportunities for all people

Housing is a basic right in Canada. A Housing First approach and investment in wrap around human services is essential to reducing poverty, ending homelessness, preparing people for employment; and creating healthy and safe communities.

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force supports A Place to Call Home – National Housing Strategy. Specifically to invest in more programs to:

build affordable and supportive housing
address critical gaps in homelessness for women and youth
develop an Indigenous Housing Strategy for rural Indigenous people who live off-reserve
protect existing rental housing

A sustainable recovery must incorporate a climate lens in all policies, especially those addressing poverty and vulnerable people.

Food insecurity exists in Bruce County and Grey County. 1 in 5 people in Grey Bruce experience food insecurity. Learn more about food insecurity, its impact on peoples’ health and how to find local food resources in this video – Food Insecurity in Grey Bruce (Jennifer Kingsland). For the latest data on community food programs go to: FoodBruceGrey.com

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force supports Everyone at the Table – Food Policy for Canada. Specifically to:

ensure people can afford healthy food
invest in Community-based interventions that increase access to food, with the potential to provide social, health, environmental, and economic benefits
enable all Canadians and stakeholders to collaborate on food policy goals including those to reduce food waste
support Indigenous food security and sovereignty

Enough to Thrive On: Equitable Recovery = A Better Normal