The Ontario government is calling on organizations and individuals across the province for new ideas on how to help reduce poverty.
In a news release, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services announced a new round of public consultation for the next provincial poverty reduction strategy. The province says the goals of this consultation, which happens every five years, is to identify opportunities for action and collaboration with partners, measure and report on progress more effectively, help drive actions with specific and realistic targets that reduce poverty, and prioritize initiatives across sectors and all government levels that will help lift Ontarians out of poverty.
Further to these goals, the government says it wants public input on how to encourage job creation, connect people to employment, provide people with the right supports and services, and lower the cost of living.
The consultation is now open, and organizations and individuals can provide written submissions to prso@ontario.ca. In addition to written submissions, an online survey will be available at ontario.ca in January where organizations and individuals can submit feedback. That survey, when available, will be open for approximately 60 days.
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division welcomes the opportunity to provide its insights on how to reduce poverty in the province, and looks forward to working with government to reach these goals.
Read CMHA Ontario’s previous report on strategies for reducing poverty in Ontario.