Ontario Making Progress On Poverty Reduction

Ontario is delivering on its poverty reduction strategy by making historic investments in low-income families during challenging economic times. The first annual report on the Breaking the Cycle strategy released today highlights three pillars that the government has delivered on:

• Accelerating the Ontario Child Benefit: low-income families started receiving up to $1,100 per child annually on July 1, 2009 - that's almost double the previous maximum benefit.
• Moving forward with full-day learning for four and five year olds: up to 35,000 kindergarten students will be enrolled by 2010. A portion of the phase-one schools will serve low-income neighbourhoods. Full implementation is targeted for 2015-16.
• Tax fairness for low-income families: as part of the package that includes a move to the Harmonized Sales Tax, approximately 2.9 million low- to- middle- income individuals and families will get a new sales tax credit of up to $260 per adult and child per year.
  

The Breaking the Cycle strategy aims to reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years - lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty. Ontario is using Statistics Canada's Low Income Measure to monitor its progress in meeting the 25 in 5 target. Baseline data - set on 2008 levels - is expected to be released in 2010.