Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 112

Dear Colleagues, 

We wish you all a peaceful holiday season.  We acknowledge all the hard work each and everyone one of you does to support and uplift our communities.  We recognize that many organizations’ staff and community volunteers will continue to work throughout the holidays. Thank you! 

Yesterday’s winter Solstice celebration reminds us to honor the changes of the season and our connection to nature. Key outcomes announced this week from COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference and the signing of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework gives us hope that world leaders are taking action.

“We have become the impatient species, too busy to let nature replenish itself and too puffed up with our own sense of importance to acknowledge our utter dependency on its generosity.” – David Suzuki

The Framework recognizes that without a social justice perspective, climate policies risk exacerbating the already unacceptable gap between rich and poor:

  • High-income families are responsible for a disproportionate share of the emissions that lead to climate change;
  • Low-income families can’t afford electric cars, retro-fitting homes or other measures that are usually proposed to reduce emissions;
  • Low-income residents risk being adversely affected by the carbon tax, higher electricity bills and other pricing measures than wealthier citizens. 

Climate change is influencing our community wellbeing, creating greater risks to both physical and mental health. Read more about local action: 

SAFE SPACES

Creating safe spaces that allow us to recharge in the winter is a luxury. For many, these safe spaces don’t exist but collective efforts are happening to carry out wellness checks, provide support and services. We have a mental health & addiction crisis fueling a homelessness crisis. 

  • Grey Bruce Coordinated Access: reported that in November 2022 there were 198 households active on the By Names List (BNL), with 156 of these households identified as experiencing chronic homelessness.
    • Bruce County (40 HHs) actively homeless and Grey County (158 HHS) at the time of their referral. 
    • The average number of months experiencing homelessness for households on the BNL is 9. 
    • The average acuity (scale from 1-10) is a 4.5. This would indicate that those experiencing homelessness are from vulnerable demographics and/or experiencing tri-morbidity and/or sleeping rough.
  • Short Term Shelter Program: will be operating through the holidays. Call 211 for anyone experiencing 211 to access emergency housing support in Grey County and Bruce County.  Coordination with hospital discharges and shelter have been anticipated and negotiated to ensure people will be housed. 
  • Despite any bans against accessing services, everyone will be offered a room until January 4th. Outreach workers will be working through the holidays to check on people in motel shelters.  

WARMING STATIONS

Lower tier municipalities, cities and towns will respond with plans under an Extreme Weather Warning.  Warming Stations are listed on 211. 

However, this year we may experience extreme weather on the holiday weekend when most of the organizations are closed on Dec 25th.

Safe Spaces

To know who is open/closed during the holidays for support please call 211. Please update your Holiday schedules with 211 online or by emailing John Meakin,  jmeakin@communityconnection.ca.

  • Safe N Sound: extended hours are in place M-F 9am-3pm. 5pm-10pm and Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 12pm – 10pm but will be closed Dec 25th and 26th. 
  • M’Wikwedong IFC Housing: staff will be on call through the holidays for emergency housing support.
    • M’Wikwedong IFC: 2 Spirit Youth drop-in, Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30. 
    • M’Wikwedong IFC: adult drop-in, Mondays, 5-8pm, starting in January 2023.
  • South East Grey CHC: shall be closed Dec 23rd to Dec 27th Markdale office, Dec 23rd to Dec 30th at Dundalk location. 
  • If you are a woman experiencing gender-based violence, and need immediate assistance, call 911. 
  • St. Georgen’s Anglican Church: – Open each Thursday (except December 29).  3 to 4:00 p.m. in the Hall – a safe and inclusive space.

FOOD SUPPORT 

Many food hampers, gift cards and toys have been distributed by organizations across Grey Bruce. Many of them required early registration. An incredible outpouring of Christmas cheer meant that many families have support for the holidays. Big and small efforts are always appreciated. 

211 has the full list of Christmas hampers and meals. 

  • The Salvation Army Owen Sound: provides $40,000 worth of groceries to local families every month. ⁣⁣⁣In 2022, they served 800 individuals/month (an increase from 600 individuals in 2021).   
  • St. Aidan’s Grey/Bruce: provided over 10,000 frozen meals for programs across Grey Bruce in 2022. 
  • Owen Sound: takeaway meals served at noon at OSHARE, 946 3rd Ave East. Please call 519-371-0957 for more information. Closed on January 1st.  Safe N Sound is hosting a Christmas Dinner for participants on Friday December 23rd at 5:30pm  Closed Dec 25th and 26th. 
  • Hanover: Grace United Church, 310 12th Street. Doors open at 11:30am and dinner will be served at 12:00pm. Please let Faye know you’re coming. 519-377-9774.
  • Wiarton: For residents of the townships of South Bruce Peninsula, a dinner will be available either as sit-down or take-away on December 21st at The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church. Delivery available. Sit-in: 1 pm & take out: 2:30 pm. Call 519-534-0353. 576 Edward Street. 
  • Saugeen Shores: on December 24th, dinner will be delivered and is heat-and-serve in Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation. Register by Dec 20, 2022. Delivery: Dec 24, 2022, 3 pm-5 pm. To order your delivery, contact Chuck or Linda at: 519-832-6003 or SSChristmasdinner@gmail.com. 
  • Grey Highlands: Registration up to Dec 19, 2022. Pickup: Dec 23, 2022 12:30 pm-2 pm. Gentle Shepherd Community Church (Eugenia Campus; 426176 Concession 8). Call Mary at 519-924-3832 to register. 
  • Kincardine: Register by Tue Dec 20, 2022. Call 519-396-2001. Doors open at 12:30 pm Christmas Day with the meal starting at 1 pm. St Anthony’s of Padus Catholic Church (749 Russell St). 
  • Durham: on Christmas day, doors open at 1 pm and dinner is served at 3 pm. Durham Community Centre, 451 Saddler St W. 

TRANSPORTATION 

  • GOST: due to the potential weather moving into the area, the GOST afternoon departure at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, is cancelled.
  • Owen Sound Transit: will continue to operate on the regular schedule. When a change to scheduled service is required, customer alerts are posted on the City’s website as soon as possible. For the most up-to-date information, people can check owensound.ca/transit or call Voyago directly at 519-465-0783

Mental Health Supports

  • The Métis Nation of Ontario is offering a 24HR Mental Health and Addictions (MHA) 24/7 Crisis Line for anyone discharged from hospital, 1-877-767-7572.

Consider how you or your organization can create slower lanes this holiday!  

Stay well, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update #110

Dear Colleagues, 

On November 24th, 1989, all federally represented parties voted unanimously in the House of Commons to end child poverty by the year 2000. The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) has been a main tool for the government to reduce poverty rates.

A recent Parliamentary Budget Office report shows that approximately 791,000 families will have their payments reduced by an average $606 in the 2022/2023 benefit year as a result of having received pandemic benefits such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB). Those families to be hardest hit are led by single Mothers with moderate earned incomes of $33,000 and multiple children. 

The Government of Canada has repaid full clawed back amounts from the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) to low-income seniors and protected future GIS payments with legislative changes. Campaign 2000 has initiated a petition and letter writing campaign to the government asking for amnesty on clawbacks to low income families and to protect future CCB payments.  Learn more here. 

Maytree released the 2021 Welfare in Canada report. This annual report breaks down the welfare incomes available to 4 types of households that qualify for social assistance in each province and territory. The Ontario breakdown is found here. 

LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN

NEW FUNDING STREAM

  • Community Services Recovery Fund is a new federal grant ($400 mill) to support charities and non-profits for pandemic recovery. The United Way of Bruce Grey, Community Foundation Grey Bruce and the Red Cross are managing the grant application process.  
  • Visit www.communityservicesrecoveryfund.ca to learn more about how to apply to the Community Services Recovery Fund. The Fund will accept applications from Jan 6, 2023 until Feb 21, 2023. 

INCOME SUPPORT

  • The Ontario government has announced new income supports in the Fall 2022 Economic Statement:
    • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) the monthly earnings exemption will increase from $200 to $1,000 per month. Each dollar earned above that amount would reduce benefits by 25 cents. This is in addition to a 5% increase in monthly payments to ODSP recipients (about $1,227/month).  Core allowances under the ODSP will be adjusted to inflation annually, beginning in July 2023.
    • Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities program will be adjusted to the maximum monthly amount and annually to inflation, beginning in July 2023.
    • Gas Tax and Fuel Tax Rates the rate of tax on gasoline and fuel (diesel) will remain at 9/litre until Dec 31, 2023.
    • Guaranteed Annual Income System payment will be doubled for all recipients for 12 months starting January 2023, a maximum increase of almost $1,000 per person in 2023. 
  • Utility Support: The federal government has announced a grant program ($250 mill) to help  low and medium income households convert from oil furnaces to electric heat pumps in 2023.  Eligible homeowners will be able to combine the new grant with existing federal and provincial programs that assist with home heating up to $5,000. 
  • Climate Action Incentive payments will increase in the spring 2023. 

HOUSING SUPPORTS

  • Habitat for Humanity Canada has released the results of a new national survey revealing Canadians’ attitudes towards the affordable housing crisis in Canada and sheds light on the growing barriers to housing and homeownership. 
  • Bill 23 – Habitat for Humanity spoke to the Bill benefiting non-profit housing providers to deliver more affordable homes and more quickly. And with some thoughtful modifications it can be improved to be an even better platform for subsequent action on housing. Read more here.
  • Bill 23 – Association of Municipalities of Ontario spoke to changes to infrastructure financing that would shift costs from developers to municipalities, strip municipalities of the tools required to manage growth and create serious risks to the environment and human health at a time when the impacts of climate change are evident and urgent. Read more here. 
  • Home Takeover Pilot : the Grey Bruce Health Unit released its initial findings, education materials and website page. 
  • On the Way Home: is a series of podcasts that brings together voices and issues involved in ending homelessness. 

Stay well, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 105

Election Education # 7

This week some voters have begun to vote in advance polls and others will start online or via phone later in the week. 

  • Voter Information Letters have been mailed out to voters and this week voters should have received the details on how their municipality is voting.  Please contact them if you have not received a Voter Information Letter or need to verify if you are registered to vote.     
  • Each municipality has set up its own Election Help Centres. We have links to each Municipal Election website at: greybrucevotes.com (scroll to the bottom of the page). 
  • Bruce County Libraries will be available to direct you to your local Election Help Centres. 
  • Hanover Library will have a secluded computer with access to the Internet and the online voting system, with staff assistance for people using the computer to vote, but not assistance with voter’s list or registration services. 

Are candidates getting our housing message?

Housing is the greatest source of inequality in our communities right now. Paul Kershaw, of Generation Squeeze, a think-tank focused on generational equity wrote a report on housing unaffordability in Ontario. TVO also speaks to how long term renters, many who are seniors with fixed incomes, are in an increasingly precarious position. 

Many organizations raised the question of affordable housing and homelessness at All Candidate Debates, in Facebook conversations and in-person engagement with candidates. Here are a few public recordings of All Candidate Debates: 

In the papers: 

Upcoming All Candidate Debates

  • Owen Sound – Oct 12, 7pm, Harmony Centre, Owen Sound – hosted by Rebound
  • Paisley- Oct 12, 7pm, Royal Cdn Legion, Paisley
  • Port Elgin – Oct 13, 6pm, Plex, Port Elgin 
  • Shallow Lake – Oct 12, 7pm, Shallow Lake United Church – hosted by Georgian Bluffs Climate Change Action Team

Other campaign priorities: income solutions 

Thanks to pandemic benefits, Canada experienced a 18.9% drop in poverty between 2019 and 2020—the largest in decades. 

  • The largest decline in poverty between 2019-20 was among youth (-5.5%) and kids (-4.2%); the smallest was among seniors (-0.8%). 
  • It has been proven that government income support can directly reduce poverty.

 Now that pandemic benefits have expired, Canada seriously risks rising poverty. 

Join our next Poverty Task Force meeting as we discuss the rising cost of living, utility poverty and income solutions.  

Stay well, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update # 104

Election Education # 6

This week is Truth and Reconciliation Week and Sept 30th is Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. Our municipal leaders are responsible for taking leadership on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. 

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission: we encourage you to take the time to reflect, listen, and learn about the Calls to Action 
  • The Nawash Ezhiwebag has a listing of Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonies and activities happening at Neyaashiinigming First Nation. 
  • Saugeen First Nation also has a full day of events planned in partnership with GC Huston Public School including a  Zgaa-biig-ni-gaan renewal ceremony (11am) and events with various programs in the afternoon.  They will have booths on site during the day. Their focus of the day is “Our Children – Past, Present and Future”.  They are looking at what is needed today and moving into the next 7 generations to ensure the safety, protection, good health and wellbeing of their children and further, the support of the families.
  • M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre will be supporting a ceremony at the Giichi-Name-Wiiwedong Reconciliation Gardens. 
  • Many municipalities, towns, schools and libraries are holding events this week and on Friday.

Housing remains a critical municipal election issue as municipalities play an important role in facilitating the development of affordable rental housing. We have updated the Poverty, Voting and Election page with recent reports and questions for candidates and voters to consider: 

  • The Municipal Role in Housing studies (Munk School, 2022) emphasizes the role of municipalities in setting zoning policies and approval processes that can help meet the need for housing in their regions.
  • Grey County has announced updates to its official plan.  Some of the changes include allowing for more Additional Residential Units (ARUs) in existing dwellings, as well as a separate structure on a property. Currently, you can have one or the other, not both. This would allow for tiny homes, employee housing and co-housing.
  • Bruce County Housing announced a new Municipal Housing Allowance program that enhances housing security and helps vulnerable residents maintain their rental units.
  • Grey County Affordable Housing Task Force September report on surplus public land available for housing. 
  • Grey County Housing launched its new Short Term Shelter Program effective Sept 21st, 2022. Contact 211 for intake if someone is or at risk of being homeless. 
  • Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce poses 5 questions for candidates and voters to consider. Municipal councils can ensure their local policies and programs do not discriminate against people with diverse backgrounds and can set the tone through welcoming and inclusive policy initiatives.

What is your candidates’ strategy to address housing & homelessness? 

Councils play a role in the public messaging on how to show respect and compassion for people who are experiencing homelessness. We encourage you to look up candidates in your municipality and ask about their position on housing & homelessness. 

  • 34 Mayoral candidates are running and 4 have been acclaimed. Many candidates are publishing their housing plans as part of their platform.  For example, Ottawa Mayoral candidate Catherine McKenney proposes building vibrant, mixed-income neighbourhoods that offer affordable housing in her Plan for Housing Affordability. https://www.mckenney2022.ca/housing
  • Rebound Owen Sound and NDP party members took action in front of the City Hall of Owen Sound and posed questions to the current council on their housing strategy.  
  • Grey County Life/Rogers TV: we recently spoke with Grey County Life about housing & homelessness as an election issue and the launch of the RentSafe Tenant Survey.  Go to the 10 minute mark for the interview. As of Sept 26th, 547 people have completed the survey. 

Representation on the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

The Poverty Task Force has been coming together for 10 years to collectively address poverty-related issues across Bruce County and Grey County. We have benefited from the leadership and core support of both Counties. We have had many Wardens, Mayors and Councillors actively involved. Recently the City of Owen Sound passed a motion to have a permanent representative to the Poverty Task Force. This is another way for our discussions to be formally reported to the Council and the public. 

When complex issues such as homelessness are very visible in our communities, we must work together to reduce the Not-In-My-Backyard approach and look at our local responsibilities. Everyone deserves a safe home and access to services where they choose to live. 

ALL CANDIDATE DEBATES

Some debates have already taken place in communities such as Kincardine, Lion’s Head, Meaford and Wiarton but here are more coming up! 

  • Ayton – Thurs, Sept.29, 7 pm,  Normanby Arena Auditorium, Ayton hosted by
  • Kemble – Wed, Sept 28, 7pm, Kemble United Church
  • Mennonite Corners – Oct 4th, 7pm, Canadian Reformed Church 
  • Meaford – Thurs, Sept 29,  7pm, (for Mayor, School Board Trustees),  Bognor Hall,  Bognor 
  • Owen Sound – Thurs, Sept 29, 6pm – Meet the Candidates, 7pm – Debate, Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound
  • Shallow Lake – Oct 12, 7pm, Shallow Lake United Church – hosted by Georgian Bluffs Climate Change Action Team
  • Tobermory – Thurs, Oct  6, 7pm,. Tobermory Community Centre, Tobermory
  • Walkerton – Wed, Sept 28,  7:30 pm, Victoria Jubilee Hall, Walkerton

VOTING INFORMATION

Many libraries and other outreach services are offering support to voters:

  • The SOS Mobile Outreach will be at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market on Oct 5th, 1-4pm.  The City Elections team will be attending to assist people to register to vote. 
  • Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library: offers computers to vote online. Staff will take a confidentiality oath to allow them to assist people to vote online. 
  • Simply Voting has released an instructional video for those municipalities voting by phone or online. 
  • A Date of birth is critical to register to vote. If a voter gets a letter with a warning of an incomplete date of birth they will need to contact their election help desk. 

Stay well, Jill