Task Force Blog

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

United Ways of Ontario Call for the Province to repeal Schedule 12, Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025

Ontario is at a critical point. Housing need is rising, homelessness is growing, federal investment is starting to move but new home construction is slowing in Ontario. The Province’s goal to create conditions for faster homebuilding, through predictable approvals and transit-oriented projects makes sense but decisions made now will set the course for years.

The legislative changes to the Residential Tenancies Act in Schedule 12 of Bill 60, move policy in the wrong direction and will serve to escalate the homelessness crisis across Ontario. They weaken security of tenure, speed eviction and narrow review windows. This is not a solution for people who are precariously housed and will level even greater pressure on municipalities and community agencies struggling to address need.

The focus should be on keeping people housed while new supply comes online. That means maintaining reasonable grace periods for arrears, ensuring tenants can raise legitimate health and safety concerns without undue barriers, preserving fair compensation and clear standards in no-fault evictions with consequences for bad-faith cases and keeping review and appeal timelines workable so disputes are resolved on their merits. These measures protect due process, prevent avoidable evictions, and steady the system as we build.

We join colleagues from across the community services sector in calling on the Province to repeal Schedule 12 of Bill 60 and commit to meaningful consultation with tenants, sector partners and municipalities on proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and provincial housing policies that impact tenants.

United Ways across Ontario partner with regional and municipal governments and are ready to work with the Province to keep people housed while Ontario builds the homes our communities need.

Please find a link to the statement on the UWGT website:  https://www.unitedwaygt.org/public-policy/united-ways-of-ontario-call-for-the-province-to-repeal-schedule-12-bill-60-the-fighting-delays-building-faster-act-2025/

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Press Release: Living Wage Rises to $24.60 in Grey Bruce, 10 Nov 2025

Bruce and Grey Counties, ON – The Living Wage for Bruce Grey has increased by 6.7% to $24.60 per hour in 2025, up from $23.05 in 2024. The new rate reflects the continued rise in shelter and transportation costs across the region and highlights the growing gap between minimum wage and the actual cost of living.

The Living Wage is what a worker must earn per hour, working full-time, to make ends meet where they live. It factors in essential expenses such as housing, food, childcare, transportation, clothing, and modest participation in community life, while also accounting for government taxes, transfers, and benefits.

“Each year, the Living Wage tells a story about affordability in our communities,” says Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of United Way Bruce Grey. “A 6.7% increase isn’t just a number, it’s a reflection of the daily struggles families face to stay housed, feed their kids, and keep the lights on. We’re seeing more people working full-time who still can’t make ends meet, and that’s unacceptable. A living wage isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation for dignity and stability.”

According to the Ontario Living Wage Network’s 2025 analysis, housing remains the biggest pressure point, with limited availability and rising rents driving up household costs across Bruce and Grey counties. Rural transportation challenges and inflation continue to add stress for working families and individuals.

“We’re seeing the effects of compounding pressures, rising housing costs, higher transportation expenses, and limited access to affordable essentials,” says Jill Umbach, Co-ordinator of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “People are working hard, but they’re falling behind. Our community deserves solutions that focus on increasing income and ensuring everyone can meet their basic needs without constant financial stress.”

The Living Wage calculation for Bruce Grey draws from three household scenarios:

  • Single adult: $25.30/hour
  • Single parent with two children: $27.75/hour
  • Two parents with two children: $23.50/hour (both parents working)

These numbers illustrate the cost of living in Bruce Grey communities, where even dual-income families can struggle with rising basic expenses.

“Employers who commit to paying a living wage report better morale, lower turnover, and stronger loyalty among their staff,” says Dobbyn. “We encourage more local businesses to step forward and join the network of certified living wage employers making a real difference.”

About the Living Wage

A Living Wage is calculated annually by the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) to determine what full-time workers need to earn to cover basic living costs in their specific region. The 2025 calculations show an average provincial increase of 5.3%, largely driven by escalating housing, childcare, and transportation expenses

There are currently over 630 certified Living Wage employers across Ontario, covering more than 860 workplaces, who recognize the benefits of paying fair wages to their employees.

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Launches 2025 Tax Clinic Volunteer Drive

Grey and Bruce CountyON – [5 Nov 2025] — With tax season around the corner the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force is urgently seeking volunteers for the 2025 Community Volunteer Income Tax Program/Canada Revenue Agency (CVITP/CRA).

Help Unlock Life-Changing Benefits: Volunteer Today

The CVITP provides free tax filing support to low-income individuals, seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers, and others facing barriers to tax filing. Without these supports, many people miss out on thousands of dollars in refundable benefits.

“We’re not just filing taxes—we’re opening doors to vital programs like the Canada Child Benefit, GST/HST credits, and now the Canada Dental Care Plan,” said Jill Umbach, Coordinator of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “We’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as filing taxes can stabilize someone’s life.”

In 2025, the CVITP/CRA reported that 41,400 people were eligible for the program in Grey Bruce. (CRA Statistics, Aug 2025). In Grey Bruce:

  • Volunteers helped 3,910 people file 4,410 tax returns.
  • $13,671,000 was returned to people in refunds and benefits – a direct reinvestment in household stability and community well-being. The average dollar value/tax return was calculated at $3,100.00 based on 2023 GB CVITP Network research.
  • $488,750 was saved for 3,910 people using our average rate for paying to have your taxes done at $125/person.

No experience is needed. Volunteers receive training, CRA certification, and ongoing support. Flexible in-person and virtual roles are available across Bruce and Grey Counties.

Interested? Visit Volunteer4BGTaxes.ca

Local Impact, National Importance

The Bruce Grey CVITP Network supports a regional network of volunteers to extend services beyond the traditional tax season. In partnership with MP Alex Ruff’s office, local volunteers, Hanover Public Library, Bruce County Public Library and social service agencies, the CVITP is more than a seasonal program—it is a tool for year-round financial empowerment.

“We see this as financial first aid,” added Umbach. “When someone files their taxes for the first time in years and gets a refund or qualifies for dental coverage or housing benefits—it’s transformative.”

How to Get Involved

  • Volunteer: Sign up to prepare and file returns; and/or assist clinics at Volunteer4BGTaxes.ca
  • Spread the word: Help connect isolated or vulnerable community members to services.  Call 211 or go to:FreeTaxClinics.ca

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