Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

A Future Without Poverty: National Dialogue 2025 October 17, 2025 | 🕛 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST Online Webinar

Join us on the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty for a national conversation on poverty and inequality in Canada.

This virtual event will bring together organizations, advocates, and individuals from across the country, including members of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force, to spotlight solutions, amplify voices, and build momentum for lasting change. Together, we’ll examine the systemic drivers of poverty, share innovative strategies, and strengthen connections among communities working toward a future where everyone can thrive.

Poverty isn’t just something happening “somewhere else.” It’s here — in Grey and Bruce — and it’s affecting more of our neighbours every year. Across Canada, more people are struggling to make ends meet, and the same challenges are showing up in our local communities.

Since the pandemic, poverty has gone up in every province. Nationally, about 1 in 5 children now live in poverty, and the rate is even higher for single-parent families, especially those led by women. Across the country, 1.5 million people with disabilities are also living in poverty, often without enough income to cover basic needs.

“We know poverty is solvable,” adds Jill Umbach, Coordinator of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “But it takes all of us — governments, organizations, and residents — working together to make it happen. On October 17th, we are coming together under the Campaign 2000 banner to raise the alarm on the UN International Day of Poverty Eradication.”

Food insecurity is rising too. Nearly 10 million Canadians – that’s 1 in 4 – experienced food insecurity in 2024. Locally, food banks, emergency shelters, and housing programs are seeing record demand. Workers in low-wage and precarious jobs — many of whom are women — are finding that even full-time employment doesn’t guarantee stability or dignity.

The Living Wage in 2024 for our region is $23.05/hr, the 2nd highest in Ontario after the GTA and yet we have some of the lowest wages in the province.  In Grey Bruce, the median after-tax income for men was $42,000, while women earned $32,000. This is a pay disparity with men making 31.3% more, on average, than women.

UPDATE: You may watch webinar at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZI7hLQvh-M or read the Facing the Realities of Poverty in Canada Briefing Note for Members of Parliament

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update #202

Dear Colleagues,

Ontario would not exist as it is today without treaties. They form the basis of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Although many treaties were signed more than a century ago, treaty commitments are just as valid today as they were then.

More on our local treaties can be found at: Treaty Recognition Week: SON-Crown Treaties | Saugeen Times for Nottawasaga Purchase, 17 Oct 1818, Treaty #18, Saugeen Tract Purchase, 9 Aug 1836, Treat # 45 ½ and Saugeen Peninsula Treaty, 10 Oct 1854, Treaty # 72.

Read more: History of treaties in Ontario | ontario.ca

Treaties Recognition Week (5-11 Nov 2023) was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF) to increase treaty awareness and provide students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter. For more resources go to: Treaties Recognition Week | ontario.ca Map of Ontario treaties and reserves | ontario.ca

We All Belong: Voices of Lived Experiences is a 10-segment series of interviews being produced by Rogers TV.  New segments of the series are aired each week and can be shared from the Rogers TV Grey County website. We All Belong: Stories of Lived Experiences – Grey County (rogerstv.com)

The Poverty Task Force is a member of Campaign 2000. We complete surveys to contribute to some of their reporting:

FOOD SUPPORT

INCOME SUPPORT

HOUSING SUPPORT

Stay well, Jill

jillumbach Advocacy, Research, Upcoming Events

Ontario Poverty Reduction Consultations 2.0 – Update & Discussion Questions

By late July 2013, the Ontario government plans to start consultations on the second phase of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), which are expected to be completed by the end of September. The first 5 year phase of poverty reduction efforts focused on reducing child poverty by 25% between 2008 and 2013. Ontario Campaign 2000 and others have been tracking the government’s progress in following through on poverty reduction policies and keeping to the first PRS’ targets and timelines.

Child Poverty Trends in Ontario:

  • The most recent data from Statistics Canada shows that the overall child poverty rate in Ontario declined by 9.2% between 2008 and 2011 (Low Income Measure After Tax).
  • In 2011, the child poverty rate in Ontario was 13.8%
  • In 2011, 371,000 children lived in poverty in Ontario[1].
  • The 2012 Ontario Report Card explores social assistance reform, child care, housing, youth issues, employment and more. You can download it here for more context: http://www.campaign2000.ca/Ontario/reportcards/2013ReportCardOnChildPovertyOntario.pdf

Poverty Reduction Strategy Refreshers:

You can find Campaign 2000’s latest chart from the 2012 report card below on page 3. Read it for a sense of key commitments and whether or not they had been met as of February 2013.

Review the Poverty Reduction Strategy document (2008). To see what was proposed, visit http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/breakingthecycle/report/index.aspx.

You can also check out The Poverty Reduction Act (2009) outlining government’s responsibility to assess the current strategy, consult the public and formulate the next PRS:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/statutes/english/2009/elaws_src_s09010_e.htm

A questionnaire has been circulated to Poverty Task Force members for the pre-consultation planning.  Look for more to come on the community and partner consultations.

[1] Statistics Canada.  CANSIM Table 202-0802 using LIM AT for 2011.