Does legislation reduce poverty?

A research note by Erin AuCoin, Lauren Hills, Geranda Notten from the University of Ottawa compared and described poverty reduction strategy (PRS) processes in four provinces: Quebec, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario to better understand PRS’s across jurisdictions in Canada. The authors looked at the history of each province’s PRS process; the sequencing of the process’ activities up to the Fall of 2014 (timelines); and the goals, objectives, indicators, and targets expressed in the strategy.

A subsequent article by Notten for the On Poverty Reduction website discussed the potential need for legislation in the PRS process using data from the research note. Out of the four provinces in the analysis, three incorporated poverty reduction legislation. The author concluded that incorporating legislation into a provincial poverty reduction strategy appears to help move poverty reduction efforts forward, through improved accountability.

Link to the On Poverty Reduction blog article: http://www.onpovertyreduction.ca/2015/05/legislation/

Comparing Apples and Oranges? Poverty Reduction Strategies in Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Québec can be found here: http://www.onpovertyreduction.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Comparing-Apples-and-Oranges-v15May2015.pdf

New Anti-Poverty Plan Released by Canada Without Poverty

Canada Without Poverty released a new national plan for ending poverty today. Dignity for All: A National Anti-Poverty Plan for Canada was developed after engaging and consulting communities.

The plan calls for the Federal Government to immediately take action to address both the immediate and long-term needs of the 1 in 7 Canadians who live in poverty.

The 6 areas addressed in the plan are:

  • Income security
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Health
  • Food security
  • Early childhood education and care, and
  • Jobs and employment

To read the plan, visit http://www.cwp-csp.ca/2015/02/wehaveaplan-but-do-they/

New Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy

Realizing Our Potential: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (2014-2019) was released in September 2014. The new strategy includes sections focused on children & youth, homelessness, and employment. The document also acts as a reminder of the high cost of inaction; poverty cost the Ontario public $10.4 billion in 2008.

The strategy can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/home-and-community/realizing-our-potential-poverty-reduction-strategy-2014-2019