Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 201

Dear Colleagues,

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day.  Many events are being held today to honour and remember those who have passed. This day is an annual global event that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths.

  • City of Owen Sound Hall will be illuminated with purple lights in honour of International Overdose Awareness Day from August 30-31
  • Safe N Sound and partners will host an event at the Farmers Market on from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre will hold a community vigil and full moon ceremony from 7-8:30pm.
  • In Hanover, a candlelight vigil will take place at the Heritage Square Gazebo from 6:30-8pm.
  • In Port Elgin, the Harm Reduction Team of the Grey Bruce Public Health will hold a candlelight vigil at the Coulter Parkette from 6 – 7:30pm.  

Rainbow Registration: Saugeen Shores has made history by being Canada’s first Rainbow Registered municipality. The Town meets standards that ensure 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted. The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce also received this accreditation. Saugeen Shores: Rainbow Registered Accreditation – Saugeen Shores

HOUSING SUPPORT

FOOD SUPPORT

  • Children First Canada: has released its Raising Canada 2023 report.  The report highlights how children and youth have compounded, complex, and urgent needs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data also reveals that equity-deserving children and youth are disproportionately impacted by the top 10 threats – including young First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, people from racialized communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young people with disabilities. Raising-Canada-2023_V1d.pdf (childrenfirstcanada.org)
  • Ontario School Nutrition Program: Canadian school food program operators are seeing the highest demand ever as children prepare to go back to school. They say it points to the urgent need for a national school food policy.
  • Data from Statistics Canada found that in 2022, 1.8 million households reported experiencing some level of food insecurity, compared to 1.1 million in 2021. Higher rates of food insecurity were found in households with children. As cost of living soars, school food programs struggle to fill growing need | Globalnews.ca

INCOME SUPPORT

  • Student loan interest cancellation:  Federal government has permanently eliminated interest on the Canada Student Loan and the Canada Apprentice Loan. Interest accrual on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans was temporarily paused beginning in 2020 and become permanent April 1, 2023.
  • Free Income Tax Services: are still offered year-round in Grey Bruce. Go to freetaxclinics.ca, Free Income Tax Services Grey Bruce or call 211 for available services.  

TRANSPORTATION

  • Bruce County has been conducting a Transit Demand and Feasibility Study to get input on the need and demand for transit solutions for County residents, workers, students, and visitors. Input from the public through the Phase 1 survey, combined with valuable consultation with municipal partners and stakeholders, has identified key transportation needs across Bruce County.
  • The County is now looking for public feedback on the transportation needs identified across Bruce County in Phase 1 of the study, and to help prioritize those needs. Phase 2 Survey will help shape the kinds of services and solutions that will be considered for our region. Submit the Phase 2 Online Survey by Friday, September 1, 2023. www.brucecounty.on.ca/TransitStudy

Stay well, Jill