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
- Laidlaw Foundation: This report outlines practices being implemented at Laidlaw that can be embraced by organizations, including trust-based philanthropy and community leadership at its core. Copy of Decolonizing Granting Practices- Laidlaw (laidlawfdn.org)
- AMO 2023 Annual Conference focused on priority areas such which included serving Indigenous Peoples, housing and homelessness, municipal finance and infrastructure, etc. Busy AMO 2023 Conference Achieves Momentum Across Priorities | Human Rights and Equity | AMOAMO Human Rights and Equity | AMO
- Bruce County promotes Affordable Housing and Workforce Training at AMO Conference | Bruce County
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:
- Campaign 2000 Submission to the Comprehensive Review of the Official Poverty Line: Statistics Canada is undertaking their third comprehensive review of the Market Basket Measure as Canada’s Official Poverty Line. Read the full submission here: https://campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/C2K-Submission-to-the-MBM.pdf.
- Pre-Budget 2024 Submission: Campaign 2000 submitted a set of budget recommendations as the federal government prepares the 2024 federal budget. Read the full submission here: https://campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Campaign-2000-pre-Budget-2024-submission.pdf.
FOOD SUPPORT
- Food Banks Canada: has released its Hunger County 2023 report. They saw a 32% increase in visits from March 2022 to March 2023 and a 78.5% increase over March 2019 – the highest year-over-year increase ever reported. Read more: HungerCount – Food Banks Canada Read their Ontario Poverty Report Card – 2023 Ontario – Food Banks Canada
- BigDoor | Brockton Community Church has started weekly community meals on Tuesdays.
- Grey Bruce Food Share: we continue to advertise the opening of the GB Food Share. Grey Bruce Food Share expands (cknxnewstoday.ca) A Facebook page has been set up to advertise what is available and updates. Grey Bruce Food Share Facebook Page
- Christmas Meals and Toy Drives: are listed on 2-1-1 or you can search on Information Bruce Grey – Community Connection. 2-1-1 Christimas Toy Drives If you are offering a service, please update your 2-1-1 listing!
INCOME SUPPORT
- Speed Dating with Debt: The Income and Employment Security Action Group of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force invites front line social service workers to join us for this event which will include 3 panelist specializing in debt management. This is a free event but does require registration by November 14th, 2023. There are still spaces to join. Register here: Speed Dating With Debt – United Way of Bruce Grey
- Grey Bruce Community Volunteer Income Tax Program Case Study: was released with results. The Case Study and Tools & Resources related to the Case Study can be found here. Support to Community Income Tax Services – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force
- Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce we shall be working on Actions arising from the Case Study to support the promotion and sustainability of this program locally in 2024.
- Basic Income Guaranteed debate before the Senate Committee are listening to locals in Hamilton, including former Hanover resident Jessica Golem. Read more: Advocates take their case for a guaranteed basic income to the Senate | CBC News
- According to a survey called Southern Ontario’s Basic Income Experience, researchers found nearly 80% of respondents were somewhat or much more motivated to find a better paying job. At the same time, 37.5 % of respondents who worked before and during the pilot found higher-paying jobs.
- Op-ed: A basic income is the answer to poverty (ubiworks.ca)
- Basic income ‘unlocked dozens of doors for me,’ supporter says amid call for national program | CBC News
HOUSING SUPPORT
- Safe N Sound Overnight Warming Station: from 1 Nov 2023 until the end of winter an Overnight Warming Program will be in effect. They will be open around the clock to provide a secure and warm space for those who are unsheltered.
- Anti-Human Trafficking Program for Youth (AHT) have moved from The Women’s Centre shelter location to a new private residential location. Eight beds are available with 3 currently filled for the co-ed residence. To learn more visit www.thewomenscentre.org/aht If a young person wants to talk to someone about the program, they can call or text 226-668-0357 or email youthresidence@thewomenscentre.org.
- Grey Bruce By-Names List: 9 people have been housed from the By Names List in Bruce County. Visits to encampments are ongoing in both Counties.
- Bruce County Home Sharing Feasibility Study: Exploring Options & Opportunities for Home-Sharing in Bruce County – Human Services Committee – September 07, 2023 (escribemeetings.com)
- Housing solution must be people over profits (thestar.com)
- Submission to the National Housing Council’s review on the Financialization of Housing: Campaign 2000 with support from National Right to Housing Network submitted their recommendations. Read the full submission here: https://campaign2000.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Campaign-2000-submission-to-the-National-Housing-Council-review-of-the-financialization-of-housing.pdf.
Stay well, Jill