"WHEREAS the rising cost of living and rapid inflation are putting significant financial pressure on individuals and families, especially those living in poverty;
AND WHEREAS residents on programs such as Ontario Works receive maximum fixed monthly incomes of $733, and ODSP recipients receive $1,376;
AND WHEREAS people living with low income are more likely to be renters and the Community Foundation Focus on Housing report found that in 2021 more than 40% of homes in Owen Sound are rented;
AND WHEREAS rent is considered affordable when it is no more than 30% of gross annual income and the 2021 census reports that 38.3% of tenant households in Owen Sound are spending more than 30% of their income on housing;
AND WHEREAS as of March 31, 2024, there 1,650 Grey County households on the Community Housing Waitlist including only those who presently reside in the area;
AND WHEREAS the 2023 Grey County Housing Action Plan identified the need to advocate to the Provincial and Federal governments for housing solutions which may relate to “the ‘income’ side of the housing affordability equation, for example relating to minimum and living wages [and] social benefits (e.g., ODSP; OW)”;
AND WHEREAS poverty also increases food insecurity which negatively impacts physical and mental health especially for children and adequate income is an important social determinant of health that greatly impacts food security;
AND WHEREAS in 2023, the Salvation Army food bank use rose by 42% in Owen Sound and annual meals provided by OSHARE increased 18.6% or 23,000 meals from 2022;
AND WHEREAS in the 2024 Monitoring Food Affordability in Grey Bruce report on food insecurity, Grey Bruce Public Health calls on municipalities to “advocate for federal and provincial government policies (e.g.., increases to income tax credits for low-income households) and programs (e.g., basic income guarantee) to ensure an adequate and secure income for all in Canada”;
AND WHEREAS in February 2024 the Grey Bruce Poverty Task Force issued a call for income solutions to food insecurity;
AND WHEREAS neither municipal governments nor the non-profit sector have the resources to address the root causes of poverty on their own;
AND WHEREAS decreasing poverty levels benefits individuals and their communities by reducing reliance on food banks, social services, health care, emergency services, and other supports as well as improving quality of life and creating positive local economic impacts;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council join other municipalities across Ontario to urge the Federal and Provincial governments to increase social assistance rates for Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program and to establish a Guaranteed Livable Income program;
AND THAT this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister, the Premier, the leaders of all parties sitting at Queen’s Park, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Alex Ruff, MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, and Rick Byers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound requesting a response;
AND FURTHER THAT this resolution also be shared with Grey County, Bruce County, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC)."