Poverty Reduction

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City of Ottawa Poverty Reduction Strategy

The Ottawa Poverty Reduction Strategy builds on a decade of strengthening capacity by increasing participation of people on low income in initiatives to make their voices heard.  Ottawa's initiative builds on the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy and expands the target group to include individuals, families and children living on low income. 

The focus of Ottawa's Strategy is to implement local initiatives that reduce poverty, promote awareness and complement existing activities in the community.  The Strategy proposes several concrete, local actions that can be achieved and measured within a two-year timeframe.   Phase 1 Report.  Adoption by Council January 21, 2010.

The Social Planning Council of Ottawa sits on the Community Advisory Committee for the Ottawa Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Addressing School Fees and Access to School Supplies

Our participatory research and community development work on school fees and inclusion (from 2007 / 08) has continued to lead to schools and Boards across the Province re-visiting their school fees policies and practices to make them more inclusive. This also led the Provincial government including in its Poverty Reduction Plan a direction for all school boards in the Province to examine this issue in their Board and address negative impacts on low income families. 
 
School Fees Information Sheet for Parents: English French Arabic Mandarin Somali
 
As well, in Ottawa, there has been an ever increasing demand for charitable school supplies. Over the past few years, community agencies responded and a patchwork of initiatives sprang up. In 2008, we initiated a group to enable coordination of these initiatives. For the first time, in 2008, the agencies providing school supplies developed and implemented a common solicitation, management, communication and distribution plan. The initiative was successful in significantly improving distribution and service levels to families in need. We are continuing to support the group to develop a longer term strategy to meet the need.  For more information contact Marie-Christine Gauthier at mcgauthier@spcottawa.on.ca
 
Help children in your neighbourhood access school supplies

Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy

Since May 2007, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa has been part of an initiative by the Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO), Campaign 2000 (C2000) and the 25 in 5 Network to support the development of a poverty reduction strategy for Ontario with specific targets for achievement. In May 2008 we hosted a conference for organizations across the Province to advance an effective community engagement in the policy process. From that point until the Government’s announcement of its strategy and related legislation, and continuing to the present, this collaboration has played an important role in the policy development process. Although the key issue of higher social assistance rates was not included in the strategy (the priority issue for low income residents on OW and ODSP), many of the other significant issues have been included in the government’s plan and related legislation.  See the government's website on the Provincial poverty reduction strategy. 

Put Food in the Budget

Nutritious food is essential for good health. As part of our belief that fighting poverty is the best medicine money can buy, the 25in5 Network for Poverty Reduction, in partnership with the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), is launching an Ontario-wide campaign for a Healthy Food Supplement, calling for the immediate introduction of a $100 monthly supplement to the basic needs allowance for all adults receiving social assistance.  For more information visit Put Food in the Budget.

Community Economic Development

Poverty Watch Ontario

Poverty Watch Ontario is an initiative of the Social Planning Network of Ontario, a network of social planning/community development councils across the province (including the Social Planning Council of Ottawa) engaged in social research, policy analysis, public education and community development to enhance the social and economic well-being of their community members.  Poverty Watch Ontario has served as an information resource to individuals and groups by maintaining a calendar of local events and meetings on poverty reduction and reporting on as many of these meetings as possible. It will continue to serve this role as a number of poverty reduction campaigns pursuing the priorities of the Declaration roll out through 2009.

Related Research

A Profile of Poverty in Ottawa Based on the 2006 Census (2010)    PDF Word

Poverty Report Technical Appendix PDF Word

Poverty Atlas (collection of maps) for Ottawa, based on the 2006 Census (201   PDF

The Working Poor of Ottawa Based on the 2001 Census  PDF Word

School Fees Bulletin  PDF Word

School Supplies Bulletin   PDF Word

School Supplies Initiative Bulletin PDF Word