Task Force Blog

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Press Release: Nothing Says “Love” Like Ending Poverty

13 February 2025

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Urges Provincial Candidates to Step Up

This Valentine’s Day, forget the chocolates and roses—what our community really needs is action on food insecurity and poverty! With 1 in 4 households struggling to afford food and 30.7% of Ontario’s children living in food-insecure homes, love means fighting for real solutions.

“Food banks are working overtime, but they shouldn’t be the backbone of our social safety net,” said Jill Umbach of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “If we really care about each other, let’s fix the root issues—because you can’t eat a Valentine’s Day card.”

Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, Food Banks Are Overwhelmed, And We Need Help Too

Last year, the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force launched Income Solutions to Food Insecurity, a campaign advocating for sustainable, income-based solutions to hunger. It’s time to move beyond band-aid solutions and give our communities the stability they deserve.

What We’re Asking for (Besides More Chocolate)

The Poverty Task Force is calling on provincial candidates in an Open Letter to Provincial Candidates to put their money where their heart is by committing to:

  1. Strengthening Income Supports
    • Increase social assistance rates to reflect real living costs.
    • Stop using food banks as a replacement for proper income policies.
  2. Investing in Quality Jobs
    • Make sure workers earn a living wage.
    • Strengthen employment standards so people don’t have to work three jobs to survive.
    • Expand access to affordable childcare.
  3. Expanding Supportive and Transitional Housing
    • Invest in social and supportive housing, mental health services, and income supports.
    • Help people move from homelessness to stability—because home is where the heart is.

Candidates, Will You Be Our Valentine?

With the February 27 provincial election coming up, we’re putting candidates on the spot:

💘 Will you commit to real income solutions?
💘 Will you invest in long-term policies instead of temporary charity?

This Valentine’s Day, show some love to the people who need it most.

About the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

For over 12 years, the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force has been advocating for policies that tackle poverty at its roots. We believe in love, dignity, and making sure everyone has enough to eat—because nothing kills the romance like an empty fridge.

To read our Open Letter and learn more go to: Poverty, Voting and Ontario Election – Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

Vote with Your Heart

Voting is an act of love for your community. Visit https://www.elections.on.ca to check your voter registration and learn how to cast your vote in the February 27 election.

#votewithyourheart #incomesolutionstopoverty

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Press Release: Volunteers Drive $3.27M in Support for Grey Bruce Residents

Reducing Poverty Through Volunteers: The Impact of Community Volunteer Income Programs in Grey Bruce

The Grey Bruce Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Network continues to make a significant impact by providing free tax preparation services to low-income individuals and families across the region. In collaboration, local CVITP organizations, social service agencies, 211 Community Connections and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force, support the program to connect residents with vital government benefits, credits, and refunds to alleviate financial challenges.

A new report, Reducing Poverty Through Volunteers: The Impact of CVITP in Grey Bruce, highlights the program’s success. “The CVITP is more than just a tax preparation service,” said Jill Umbach, Coordinator of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force. “It’s about empowering individuals and families by connecting them with the financial resources they’re entitled to.”

Counting the Dollar Impact

During the Grey Bruce CVITP Network Annual Gathering, three organizations—the Bruce County Public Library, South East Grey Community Health Centre, and The Meeting Place Tobermory—reported a combined $3,275,673 in benefits and refunds returned to households in 2023 Tax Season (Filed in March to June 2024).

“These numbers clearly show the positive impact of the CVITP program. Over $1.6 million in Bruce County alone is helping people cover essentials like housing, food, and utilities,” said Brooke McLean, Director of the Bruce County Public Library. “This program is one of the most impactful we offer, and collecting data helps us to tell our story better.” Read the full report here: Reducing Poverty through volunteers: the impact of CVITP in Grey Bruce

Growing Need and Call for Volunteers

In 2024, the CVITP saw a rise in demand, filing thousands of returns and helping individuals access critical benefits like the Canada Child Benefit and GST/HST credits. “Without filing taxes, many people wouldn’t receive these essential supports,” said Cameron Bruce, Constituency Assistant to MP Alex Ruff. “Thank you to all the volunteers making this possible.”

The program’s dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to ensure residents can access critical government benefits, credits, and tax refunds, helping to alleviate financial challenges and promote economic stability.

As the program grows, new volunteers are needed. No experience is required, and training is provided. Volunteers can make a significant community impact while gaining valuable skills.

About the CVITP and Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) is a Canada Revenue Agency initiative that supports community organizations in offering free tax clinics. Volunteer to do taxes for people in your community – Canada.ca

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force brings together community partners to address poverty-related issues through advocacy, education, and action. Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force – Our voice is power.

Together, they are making a measurable difference in the lives of individuals and families in the Grey Bruce region, ensuring equitable access to financial resources and support.

To find free tax filing assistance or volunteer in Grey and Bruce Counties, visit www.freetaxclinics.ca or Volunteer4BGTaxes.ca, or call 211.

Media Contact:

Brooke McLean, Director, Bruce County Public Library BMcLean@brucecounty.on.ca |519-832-6935

Jill Umbach, Coordinator, Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force povertytaskforce@unitedwaybg.com | 519-377-9406

Learn More: Reducing Poverty through volunteers: the impact of CVITP in Grey Bruce

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Poverty Task Force/United Way Community Update #213

Dear Colleagues,

We are starting 2025 with an impactful series of meetings on Community Hubs in Grey Bruce. 

Colleen Seaman Trask’s presentation this Friday on OSHaRE will provide valuable insights into how community hubs can evolve and expand their services to meet a variety of needs. Grey Bruce Food Share, Supportive Outreach Services, Family Assist Market and other health clinics at OSHaRE are great examples of how a community hub can become a multi-faceted resource.

Our discussion will be on:

  1. The Evolution of Community Meal Programs: Highlighting how OSHaRE’s meal program started and transformed into a more comprehensive service that addresses food insecurity, health care access, and community connections.
  2. Partnerships and Collaboration: The role of partnerships with local organizations, food rescue, and volunteers in making these services sustainable and impactful. And how the OSHaRE model can be adapted or implemented in other areas of Grey Bruce.
  3. Sustainability Challenges: How OSHaRE has navigated the challenges of funding and resources. And what long-term sustainability challenges exist in meeting the diverse needs of the community.

Please join us for some insightful conversation! 

FOOD SECURITY

2024 was a rough year for many households.  We have seen a significant increase in the number of people accessing shelters, food banks, community meals and seeking financial assistance. Bruce Power distributed $300,000 to food banks this past year to support the need. It is important to upload your data to Food Bruce Grey to ensure that you are on the Bruce Power distribution list. 

  • OSHaRE: distributed 25,000 meals in the month of November and 23,000 in December 2024.  These monthly numbers still remain higher per month than pre-pandemic annual numbers.  A total of 197,128 meals in 2024. 
  • Meaford Food Bank: added 96 new households in 2024. 211 households were served food hampers in December 2024 and 256 children benefited from their Christmas Star shopping program. 
  • St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church: on average provide food hampers to 55 people weekly.  They saw a slight decline in December to 27 people/week. 
  • Grey Bruce Good Food Box: volunteers packed 17,878 boxes and 2,700 tokens were distributed across the region (note: not all December data is included) at 23 locations. 

Go to Food Bruce Grey to look at more data on Food Banks, Community Meal Programs and Food Rescue in 2024. https://www.foodbrucegrey.com/all-dashboards

HOUSING SECURITY 

AMO Municipalities Under Pressure Report: Ontario has seen a staggering increase in homelessness in recent years. For the first time, this report collected and analyzed data from all 47 consolidated municipal services managers in the province to fully illustrate the scope of the crisis. Report data demonstrates a systemic failure that extends beyond housing, reflecting deep gaps in healthcare, mental-health services, justice systems and more. Reports on Ontario’s Homelessness Crisis, Water and Wastewater Utility Feasibility | AMO

  • In 2024, 81,515 people experienced homelessness and 41,512 people experienced chronic homelessness in Ontario.
  • 17,000 permanent shelter beds exist in Ontario. 
  •  Without significant intervention, homelessness could more than triple by 2035, leaving up to 294,266 people without stable housing. 

In Grey County: 

  • Grey County is experiencing similar trends to other rural communities across the province. Locally, a point in time count in 2024 revealed 375 individuals experiencing homelessness in Grey County.  Of these individuals, 65 identify as Indigenous, 80 are children 15 and under, and 45 are youth ages 16-24. Adults account for 252 of the individuals and seniors (65+) 8. 253 of individuals are experiencing chronic homelessness.
  • Grey County also provides subsidized housing and maintains a housing waitlist. The waitlist has grown from 1,517 in 2022 to 2,230 in 2024.
  • In 2024, funding for housing and homelessness in Ontario was estimated at $4.1 billion. Of the three levels of government, 51.5% of was funded by municipalities. Grey County has invested $6.55 million since 2022 in homelessness support with projects including the purchase and renovation of a property in Owen Sound for supportive housing and the purchase of a former motel for short-term emergency shelter.
  • In 2023 Grey County partnered with CMHA to offer transitional, supportive housing to residents of Grey County who have experienced chronic homelessness.  The first participants of the program moved in December 2023 and since that time seven have graduated to permanent, stable housing with ongoing connection to CMHA supports.  This program offers opportunities to build skills and work on personal goals with the objective of being successful in maintaining permanent housing and ending the cycle of homelessness. 
  • Grey County took a major step in providing expanded short-term housing options with our acquisition of a 22-room motel in Owen Sound in February of 2024. This acquisition has allowed for reduced operating costs, improved access to staff and supports on site and a higher level of dignity for community members experiencing homelessness. This expansion of program services will allow for an increase of 5,600 nights of accommodations bringing the total capacity to 13,000 nights of short-term accommodations with the same level of operating funding. 
  • In addition to the 2 facilities, Grey County provides funding to Safe N Sound Grey Bruce to operate an overnight warming space for up to 18 individuals nightly. This provides a supportive environment with staff on site providing referrals to services, someone to talk to and refreshments. These spaces throughout the course of the winter support more than 3,000 nights of warmth to members of our community. 
  • Over the course of 2024, Grey County staff and community partners supported 176 households in exiting homelessness into stable accommodations, of those households 123 maintain those accommodations at the present time. 

The report notes the disparities of those facing homelessness in rural communities compared to cities including shelter capacity and affordable housing shortages, specialized supports, urban inflow pressures and transportation barriers. Without significant investment and coordination across all three levels of government, it will not be possible to scale up the infrastructure needed to create a system where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.   https://www.grey.ca/news/providing-grey-county-perspective-amo-municipalities-under-pressure-report

  • Safe N Sound Presentation to Council – County Council – November 28, 2024
  • The National Indigenous Women’s Housing Network and Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network: launched “Mobilizing on the Right to Housing for Women and Gender-Diverse People in Canada: A Community Organizer’s Guide!”  The Guide mobilizes communities to contribute to Canada’s first-ever human rights-based review panel on homelessness for women and gender-diverse people. Download the resource   About Us — Gender Housing Justice

HEALTH EQUITY 

INCOME SECURITY

  • Tax Breaks: starting December 14th, 2024, the government has paused the GST & HST on groceries, kids’ clothes/toys, and other essentials. Those eligible for the rebate must be 18 years or older at the end of 2023; be a resident in Ontario on December 31, 2023; have filed their 2023 Income Tax and Benefit Return by December 31, 2024; and not be bankrupt or incarcerated in 2024. 
  • Disability Without Poverty Report: 1 in 3 people with disabilities living alone in Canada face poverty. Read the full Campaign 2000 report.   https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/2024-disability-poverty-report-card/
  • Basic Income Guaranteed Forum Report:  was released after a national conference. The approach favoured in Canada is that of a basic income guarantee that takes other income into account and provides most help to those who need it most. Basic income is a strategic investment to improve wellbeing. It can tackle the polycrisis we are facing far more effectively than our current patchwork of programs.  BIG Success in the Making Doc – Eng + Fr
  • National Automatic Tax Filing Pilot Program:  83% of more than 2 million eligible Canadians filed their 2023 tax returns by phone, online or by mail using the agency Simple File services. Ottawa moving ahead on automatic tax filing. Here’s what to know – National | Globalnews.ca
  • Canada Pension Report: this Toronto case study shows too many people are not accessing OAS benefits they are eligible for and many of those people have English or French as a second language. https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/publications/unclaimed-benefits/

TRANSPORTATION

TAMARACK PUBLIC WEBINARS

PUBLIC WEBINAR | From Policy to Practice: Advancing the National Poverty Reduction Strategy | January 22 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET | This webinar will explore what the Council heard from people across Canada in 2024, the federal government’s role in reducing poverty, as well as highlighting how communities – local organizations, collaboratives, associations and individual community members – can action this report.  WEBINAR | From Policy to Practice: Advancing the National Poverty Reduction Strategy

Cheers, Jill 

Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force Poverty Task Force

Bruce Grey’s Living Wage increases by 1.3% for 2024 to $23.05 per hour

18 November 2024

Bruce Grey’s Living Wage increases by 1.3% for 2024 to $23.05 per hour

Living Wage: The living wage is what a worker needs to earn, per hour, at 40 hours per week, in order to make ends meet where they live.

How is the Living Wage calculated?

The calculation looks at major expenses that workers face such as shelter costs, transportation, childcare, and food. Also taken into account are other expenses such as internet access, a modest annual vacation, and clothing. Any applicable government taxes, transfers, and benefits are factored in as well, and which results in an hourly wage that a worker must earn in order to make ends meet where they live.

For Bruce Grey, 3 demographic profiles were used to generate the standardized Living Wage for Bruce Grey:

  • Single person: $23.93 ($23.01 – 2023)
  • Single parent with 2 children: $26.82 ($27.20 – 2023)
  • 2 parents, 2 children: $21.93 for both parents ($22.00 – 2023)

“Our continued advocacy for a local living wage reflects our commitment to ensuring all residents have the means to meet their basic needs,” explains Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn. “As the cost of living continues to rise, this adjustment is essential to support our community members, especially those in low-wage positions, in achieving a more secure and dignified standard of living. By investing in fair wages, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

The budget does not include funds for:

  • Savings
  • Education savings for the children
  • Home-ownership costs
  • Costs to caretake a family member
  • Pets
  • Social engagements
  • Debt repayments

“A job should lift the employee out of poverty,” Dobbyn explains further. “With the significant increases to the cost of housing we see locally, people are working, but homeless, living in cars while sliding further and further into poverty.” While no one should live below the poverty line, there is an understanding and an expectation that being employed should lift that person, and their family, out of poverty.

While the Living Wage increase is below inflation for 2024, the data reflected that households were spending less on clothing and shoes, an indicator that the general households’ access to disposable income in their budgets, has decreased.

“Income solutions are needed for people to afford food, housing and daycare. Daycare is critical for parents, in particular, women, to work. While the government has announced $10/day childcare and a new school lunch program to assist families and kids, these programs are still not fully funded in our region.  Waitlists exist for childcare spaces and subsidized rates. Locally, subsidized spaces are $22/day but due to a lack of staffing we don’t have enough spaces available throughout Grey Bruce.” Says Jill Umbach Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force co-ordinator, “In a field dominated by women, Early Childhood Educators in the daycare sector are still struggling to be paid well.”

The United Way of Bruce Grey and The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force advocate for a move from relying on a food charity model to public policies that increase the incomes of vulnerable households in our community.

Breakdown of Living Wage for Grey Bruce in 2024

Benefits to businesses who pay a Living Wage:

  • Reduced recruitment costs
  • Reduced training costs
  • Better morale
  • Employees do not have to hold down multiple jobs just to make ends meet
  • Less fatigue
  • Increased productivity
  • There are over 500 certified living wage employers in Ontario

To learn more about the calculation for the local Living Wage, join Anne Coleman Campaign Manager for the Ontario Living Wage Network, Friday November 22nd at 10 am for the November Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force meeting. To access the Zoom link for the meeting please email povertytaskforce@unitedwaybg.com

For more information on the Living Wage report please contact Francesca Dobbyn at 519-376-1560 or execdir@unitedwaybg.com

For more information on Living Wage Ontario, please contact Anne Coleman, Campaign Manager Manager@ontariolivingwage.ca Ontario Living Wage Network