Religious Leader's Forum on 2010 ISARC Social Audit Wednesday, June 2 in Toronto ... a provincial gathering to hear and discuss our initial findings
Mark your calendars!
10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sam Sorbara Auditorium in Brennan Hall University of St. Michael's College In The University of Toronto, 81 St.Mary Street
Cost is $40 and includes lunch. You must register by May 26. Space is limited.
The book coming out from the 2010 social audit will be called Persistent Poverty: Dispatches from the Margins. To make this forum and the forthcoming book representative, we need a good sampling of conveners, rapporteurs, facilitators, and recorders – even more significant, we are inviting two people from each audit who have shared their experiences and perspectives on poverty. So, please come.
It's about dignity by Bruce Voogd, ISARC Coordinator
“We can be poor, but why do we have to be miserable poor”.
This was the lament of one single mother, at the point of tears. She was relaying her struggles of trying to survive on not enough monthly resources, despite her best efforts.
I have had the privilege of hearing many such voices while attending a number of the Social Audits that have taken place around Ontario this Spring. Each has been unique but common themes have emerged from the stories that were told.
Special Diet still needed The 25 in 5 Network will release a position paper with principles for the new nutritional supplement program, replacing the Special Diet. Through other contacts, we have learned that the Ontario government has asked for a 9 – 12 month extension before responding to the decision of the Human Rights Tribunal, which recognized the inadequacies of the current Special Diet to provide an adequate nutritional supplement for persons with health issues.
Many recipients of the Special Diet are very anxious that it will be replaced. The government’s request for an extension means that changes will not happen soon. However, recipients and advocates should be writing to their Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) emphasizing how essential the Special Diet is for personal health and safety.
The position paper has five principles and asks that all persons currently on special diets be grandfathered into the new program. This would also include recipients of Canada Pension Program-Disability as well as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program.
The 25 in 5 Network reminds the Ontario government of its commitment to poverty reduction and is concerned that ending the Special Diet program will increase medical costs since people will not be able to maintain health without sufficient nutrition.
Put Food in the Budget As the reports of Public Health Departments and Medical Officers of Health have indicated for years, there is not enough money through Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for recipients to pay the rent and purchase nutritious food. $100 per month per adult would significantly add to people’s ability to cover basic rent and food costs.
Local groups that are part of the Social Audits wish to emphasize to their Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) how important it is for the government to Put Food in the Budget. If MPPs have not Done the Math, they should be invited to do this exercise on the web - perhaps with the local Social Audit group present. How much does your MPP think food, rent, transportation, clothing, and other essentials cost per month in your community? How does that compare with reality?
Affordable Housing Strategy Watch your media and web sites! The Ontario Affordable Housing Strategy has been promised for Spring 2010. Something needs to happen in the next 6 weeks!
Liberal MPPs should be asked when the strategy will be released. As ISARC has talked with Liberal MPPs and government staff, we have been assured that the report will be issued on schedule. ISARC along with local and provincial coalitions will need to analyze and respond to this strategy as soon as it is released.
Social Assistance Review The Advisory Committee for the Ontario Social Assistance Review has turned in its report in April 2010 and is waiting for Hon. Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services, to announce the process for the formal review. Watch the media and web sites! This review was promised (as a political campaign plank) to occur within this legislative term. The next provincial elections are in October 2011, so this review needs to be underway soon to meet this deadline.
Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts A report released by York University health researchers offers Canadians the opportunity to learn how their living conditions will determine whether they stay healthy or become ill.
Social Determinants of Health: The Canadian Facts shows why these factors are so important for health and documents the state of these living conditions in Canada in an accessible manner for the Canadian public.
Poor No More
A new film, Poor
No More, offers solutions to Canada's working poor. The film
takes three Canadians to a world where people do not have to beg, where
housing is affordable and university education is free. They ask
themselves: if other countries can do this, why don't we?
Hosted by TV and film star Mary Walsh, Poor
No More offers an engaging look at Canadians stuck in low paying
jobs with no security and no future. Mary then takes us on a journey to
Ireland and Sweden so we can see how these countries have tackled
poverty while strengthening their economies. The film offers hope to
those who have to work two jobs a day and to those who cannot even find
work.
Telling Our Stories: Disability Should Not Equal Poverty July 7 at Metro Hall Rotunda, Toronto The ODSP Action Coalition is hosting an afternoon to highlight personal stories from people on Ontario Disability Support Program on July 7, 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
ODSP recipients, family members, and the general public are invited for an afternoon of sharing what it is really like to live on ODSP. The speaking agenda will include a panel discussion on human rights and ODSP, as well as personal stories from four people with direct experience living on ODSP. The event will also include informational displays and an area where you can share your own story.
Our diverse religious traditions have different approaches to how we pray for our politicians and government. This series explores the question from the perspective of our various religious communities. Our last response is from a Buddhist perspective.
How do we pray for our politicians and government? - a Buddhist Perspective by Deba Mitra Bhikku, Buddhist monk, Phommaviharam Buddhist Temple, Kitchener.
The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) was born out of the hope that together a coalition of faith groups could contribute to new public policies based upon greater justice and dignity for Ontarians marginalized by poverty
Religious Leader's Forum on 2010 ISARC Social Audit
It's about dignity
Many recipients of the Special Diet are very anxious that it will be replaced. The government’s request for an extension means that changes will not happen soon. However, recipients and advocates should be writing to their 
A report released by York University health researchers offers Canadians the opportunity to learn how their living conditions will determine whether they stay healthy or become ill. 
Hosted by TV and film star Mary Walsh, 
by Deba Mitra Bhikku, Buddhist monk,