People with insufficient income face impossible choices every single day. Basic needs are increasingly out of reach for people living on low-income.

An equitable recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic requires that people with low income, Indigenous people, women, people living with disabilities and other employment barriers have enough income and other resources to recover well.

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force calls on all Federal candidates to prioritize Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy – Opportunity for All. Specifically to invest in more programs that

· lift people out of poverty, in a dignified manner, by ensuring they can afford basic needs—such as safe and affordable housing, healthy food, and health care

· ensure economic barriers – such as daycare, transportation, racial and gender discrimination - are reduced

· promote full participation in society and equitable opportunities for all people

The pandemic has increased the number of people in our communities who are struggling to find affordable homes and/or experiencing homelessness. It also demonstrated how those struggling can be more vulnerable to threats in their community.

Housing is a basic right in Canada. A Housing First approach and investment in wrap around human services is essential to reducing poverty, ending homelessness, preparing people for employment; and creating healthy and safe communities.

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force calls on all Federal candidates to prioritize A Place to Call Home - National Housing Strategy. Specifically to invest in more programs to

· build affordable and supportive housing

· address critical gaps in homelessness for women and youth

· develop an Indigenous Housing Strategy for rural Indigenous people who live off-reserve

· protect existing rental housing

A sustainable recovery must incorporate a climate lens in all policies, especially those addressing poverty and vulnerable people.

The Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force calls on all Federal candidates to consider the priorities of Everyone at the Table – Food Policy for Canada. Specifically to:

· ensure people can afford healthy food

· Invest in Community-based interventions that increase access to food, with the potential to provide social, health, environmental, and economic benefits

· Enable all Canadians and stakeholders to collaborate on food policy goals including those to reduce food waste

· support Indigenous food security and sovereignty

Infographics:
· Enough to Thrive On: Equitable Recovery = A Better Normal
· What it cost to lives in Grey Bruce, March 2021, United Way of Bruce Grey

The Poverty Task Force has created a new page on their website that page can be found at: https://povertytaskforce.com/poverty-101/

source: media release, United Way of Bruce Grey