MPP Lobby: Keeping Poverty Reduction a Priority

On December 4 – the one-year anniversary of the government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy – Social Planning Toronto launched an MPP lobby in Toronto ridings to keep poverty reduction a priority as government prepares its 2010 budget.

Nine meetings have already been held, with more to come in January and February. The lobby teams, formed with residents and community agencies in each riding, are meeting with MPPs to discuss progress made over the past year, and to raise priorities that need to be addressed in 2010 and beyond in order to move the poverty reduction yardsticks forward. 

Each MPP is being asked to play a pro-active role in keeping poverty reduction high on the government’s agenda – especially in light of the tremendous toll the recession is taking on thousands of Ontarians, and the need for an economic recovery strategy that will effectively staunch the flow of working parents and adults falling below the poverty line.
 
Lobby teams have met with Laurel Broten (Children and Youth Services Minister and Cabinet lead on the Poverty Reduction Strategy), Kathleen Wynne (Education Minister), Margarett Best (Health Promotion Minister), and MPPs Laura Albanese, Lorenzo Berardinetti, Mike Colle, Eric Hoskins, Mario Sergio and David Zimmer. 

Feedback from these meetings has been positive: while participants recognize that huge challenges still remain – especially on issues like housing, jobs, child care, social assistance and income supports in general – they have come away re-energized and ready to continue the fight for a poverty-free Ontario.

Organize a lobby team in your area! Contact us at info@25in5.ca for resources and tips.

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