Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

News Release: Grey Bruce Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Case Study released

October 17th is the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This is a day devoted to presenting and promoting concrete activities for the eradication of poverty.

Poverty is a violation of human rights. We need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected.

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force along with the United Way of Bruce Grey and The Grey Bruce Community Foundation are thrilled to release a Grey Bruce Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Case Study. The study focused on the free income tax programs offered at The Meeting Place/Tobermory and the South East Grey Community Health Centre in Grey Bruce.

Together, The Meeting Place CVITP and South East Grey Community Health Centre CVITP helped 332 residents access over $1 million ($1,165,528) in income benefits, tax credits and refunds across 5 municipalities. On average, each beneficiary received $3,100 ($3,099.81).

The Meeting Place helped 62 individuals in North Bruce Peninsula access $281,932 in income benefits, tax credits and refunds after filing 76 returns. On average, each beneficiary received $3,710 ($3,709.63) with some individuals filing more than 1 year.

South East Grey Community Health Centre helped 270 individuals in 4 municipalities (Southgate, Grey Highlands, West Grey and Chatsworth) access $883,596 in income benefits, tax credits and refunds after filing 300 returns. On average, each beneficiary received $2,945 ($2,945.32).

There are 14 organizations throughout Bruce and Grey Counties that are registered with the CRA, to provide free income tax services. In 2022, 3,550 returns were filed by 3,050 individuals in Bruce, Grey and Huron Counties. Based on the findings of this Case Study, the overall CVITP contributed to a potential return of $11 million to households in 3 Counties.

“There are too many people across Grey Bruce facing poverty and in need of support. The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program has been instrumental in assisting many constituents file their taxes to ensure they have access to important government benefits and entitlements. This latest study shows just how impactful this program along with our dedicated community volunteers are in helping those in need. My thanks to all those involved for #makingadifference.”- MP Alex Ruff.

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty’s 2023 theme is Decent Work and Social Protection. Being able to file your income tax and receive additional financial benefits has a significant impact on local people enduring poverty.

For local people, filing their taxes is a significant opportunity to gain further income and supports for their household.

The Poverty Task Force is encouraging people who are interested in volunteering with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program to connect with local Grey Bruce organizations listed at: www.freetaxclinics.ca

Learn more:

• Free Income Tax Clinic Information page of 211
• Poverty 101
• Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Support to Community Income Tax Services
• UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Income Security Action Group, Resources

A Rise in Living Wage in 2017

The United Way of Bruce Grey updated its Living Wage Rate 2017. It found that in 2017, a family of three consisting of a single parent, a 15-year-old and an eight-year-old would need the sole earner to work 40 hours a week making $21.01 an hour to get by.

The rate was last updated in 2015, using 2014 data. Housing costs have significantly increased total household costs. The average rent across Ontario is now $1,115 and the United Way has found that many rental units in Bruce Grey are priced over the $1,000 threshold.

The rate has been updated by the United Way Bruce Grey at a time when the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force and partners are engaged in discussions about Ontario’s minimum wage being raised to $15 an hour.

In May 2017, Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government announced its plans to raise the minimum wage from its current $11.40 to $14 on Jan. 1, 2018 and $15 on Jan. 1, 2019.  The change has been welcome by some economists and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force who say it can help the economy by increasing people’s ability to get by and be better consumers in local economies.

The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017   (Bill 148) proposes important changes to address Ontario’s outdated labour laws and seeks to reduce precarious work.  The proposed legislation, which also includes equal pay for part-time workers, increased vacation entitlements and expanded personal emergency leave, started committee hearings on July 17th that are traveling across the province.

On July 17th, the City of Owen Sound Council approved a motion to request the government carry out an economic impact study of the increase in minimum wage within 2 years. On July 21st,  the Owen Sound and District Chamber of Commerce held a town hall meeting on the issue, held in conjunction with the Keep Ontario Working Coalition.  The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force and its partners were at both discussions.  David McLaren shared  ON Labour Reform Facts on Need  for a $15/hr minimum wage which references 7 decades of economic impact studies of raising the minimum wage.

With the increase in a living wage, this educates people on why the United Way Bruce Grey and other organizations are in favour of the wage increase.  The FairWorkplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 goes beyond cathcing up with the rising costs of living in Ontario and address practices of precarious work that are the new norm in the workplace.

Living Wage Rate 2017