---
title: Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest - January 2020
description: This policy digest aims to provide you with timely poverty-related policy updates and resources from across Canada. 
image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Photos/Image%20Library/Parliament-Hill-718135-edited-234996-edited.jpg
---

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# Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest - January 2020

Posted on January 31, 2020  
[By Elle Richards](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/elle-richards)

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![Parliament-Hill-718135-edited-234996-edited](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Photos/Image%20Library/Parliament-Hill-718135-edited-234996-edited.jpg?width=380&name=Parliament-Hill-718135-edited-234996-edited.jpg)Welcome to the January 2020 edition of the Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest, which aims to provide you with timely poverty-related policy updates and resources from across Canada. 

Here are some of our policy highlights: 

- National Report Card on Child and Family Poverty is released by [Campaign 2000](https://campaign2000.ca/campaign-2000s-new-national-report-card-on-child-and-family-poverty-sets-the-stage-for-a-poverty-free-canada/) with one in five children living in poverty; setting the stage for a poverty-free Canada 
- A New Report from the Canadian Basic Income Network [Canadian Basic Income Network](https://www.basicincomecanada.org/) shows a basic income of just $22,000 could virtually eliminate poverty 
- [Statistics Canada](https://www.statcan.gc.ca/) redefining poverty line 
- [Coldest Night of the Year](https://cnoy.org/home) - a national fundraising campaign to raise awareness of the realities of poverty kicks off in communities across the country 

**National Policy Updates:** 

- Statistics Canada looking to redefine [poverty line](https://globalnews.ca/video/6339292/statscan-looking-to-redefine-poverty-line) which hasn’t been updated since 2008; low income rates could rise 
- [Basic Income Report](https://www.basicincomecanada.org/) highlights feasible policy options for Canada 
- Opinion: Economic growth [won't fix poverty](https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/op-ed/trevor-hancock-economic-growth-won-t-fix-poverty-1.24016870) but rather redistribution of wealth 
- [Canada's Food Price Report 2020](https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/climate-change-food-price-increase-report-1.5383507) cites food price growth highlighting climate change as a major factor 
- Taxpayers’ watchdog launches probe into [Child Benefit rules](https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/taxpayers-watchdog-launches-probe-of-child-benefit-rules-program-1.4723637) over concerns that Canada’s most vulnerable families are adversely affected 
- [Middle Class Tax Cut](https://pressprogress.ca/morneaus-latest-tax-cut-will-37-a-year-lift-canadians-out-of-poverty/) unlikely to do much for low-income Canadians 
- Campaign 2000 releases [National Report Card on Child and Family Poverty](https://campaign2000.ca/campaign-2000s-new-national-report-card-on-child-and-family-poverty-sets-the-stage-for-a-poverty-free-canada/) demonstrating the need for continued efforts to eradicate child and family poverty  
- Canada’s Finance Ministers take some steps to build an [Economy that works for everyone](https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2019/12/canadas-finance-ministers-take-new-steps-to-build-an-economy-that-works-for-everyone.html) 
- Andrew Scheer resigns as [Canada's conservative leader](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-andrew-scheer-resigns-as-conservative-leader/) 
- Coldest Night of the Year – a [family friendly walk](https://cnoy.org/home) on February 22nd across communities, to increase awareness of poverty and raise money for charity   

**Updates by Province and Territory:** 

**Alberta:** 

- Reflections on Civil Society: [State of Alberta Nonprofit Sector](https://www.calgarycvo.org/state-of-the-alberta-nonprofit-sector) Report for 2019 
- Edmonton is expected to fare better than the national average with Canada’s [new poverty rate](https://globalnews.ca/news/6332698/edmonton-social-planning-council-new-poverty-rate/) 
- [Budget 2020 consultation begin](https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=6741876C8700E-963E-1756-A6BEA6A6D76BE156): Albertans invited to share opinions and suggestions 
- Policy Brief on [Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs)](https://momentum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RDSPs-and-Financial-Empowerment.pdf): Increasing access part of a larger financial empowerment initiative improving the financial resiliency of Albertans 
- [Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation ](https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2020/01/27/alberta-indigenous-opportunities-corporation-launches/) launches, committing up to $1 billion in support aiming to help groups become owners of resource projects  

**British Columbia:** 

- Advocates call for [Rights not Rescue](https://bc.ctvnews.ca/advocates-call-for-rights-not-rescue-approach-in-b-c-s-poverty-reduction-strategy-1.4722450) approach in province’s Poverty Reduction Strategy 
- [Pathways to Collaboration](https://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/resolutions/policy-areas/first-nations-relations/pathways-to-collaboration.html), a series of case studies showcasing the growing number of successful economic development collaboratives between First Nations and local governments 
- Province announces more support to meet the demand for [Early Childhood Educators](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020CFD0001-000025) 
- A series of policy changes are making it easier to access [income and disability assistance](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0002-000021)  
- [Medical Services Plan](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020FIN0001-000004) premiums eliminated, resulting in cost savings for families 
- Enhanced [Fair PharmaCare](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0002-000002) is benefitting people on low income 
- A combination of government initiatives have made life more [affordable for BC families](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019PREM0150-002468) 
- Investments in BC [transit](https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/keeping-bc-residents-connected-with-improved-transit-services) improve access to services 
- BC [Child Poverty Report Card](https://still1in5.ca/2019-child-poverty-report-card/) is released 

**Manitoba:** 

- The province is developing a new [income support program](https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=46544) for people with disabilities, consultations are wrapping up 
- The Manitoba government releases its throne speech, [Make Poverty History ](http://makepovertyhistorymb.com/ending-poverty-our-collective-responsibility-response-to-nov-19-throne-speech/) responds 

**New Brunswick:** 

- Opinions split on how to help the more than 20% of New Brunswick [children living in poverty](https://globalnews.ca/news/4680657/new-brunswick-strategy-poverty-reduction/) 

**Newfoundland and Labrador:** 

- Newfoundland and Labrador [workers deserve better](https://www.thetelegram.com/business/local-business/guest-column-newfoundland-and-labrador-workers-deserve-better-than-poverty-wages-396639/) than poverty wages 

**Nova Scotia:** 

- [Report Card for 2019](https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/2019-report-card-child-and-family-poverty-nova-scotia) shows high levels of child poverty persist 
- Province funding provides expanded [pharmacy services](https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20191209001)  
- More [training opportunities](https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200114002) for persons with disabilities and barriers to employment
- The premier talks Nova Scotia’s challenges including [child poverty and health care](https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/news/local/nova-scotias-premier-talks-healthcare-jobs-pot-and-cape-breton-autonomy-402674/) 

 **Northwest Territories:** 

- [Applications](https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/deadline-20202021-anti-poverty-fund-and-advisory-committee) being received for Anti-Poverty Fund 2020-2021 and Anti-Poverty Advisory Committee 
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency announces three-year funding to produce [Invest Canada North](https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/canadian-northern-economic-development-agency-announces-three-year-funding-produce-invest) 

**Nunavut:** 

- Nunavut-made [Public Health Act](https://gov.nu.ca/health/news/nunavut-made-public-health-act-becomes-law) becomes law 
- [Property Tax Relief ](https://gov.nu.ca/finance/news/property-tax-relief-senior-citizens-and-disabled-persons-0)for Senior citizens and disabled persons 

**Ontario:** 

- Province holding [consultations](https://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/2019/12/ontario-looking-for-innovative-ideas-on-how-to-help-reduce-poverty.html) on the next five-year Poverty Reduction Strategy; options for contributing include an [online survey or written submission](https://engage.ontario.ca/en/engagement-initiatives/developing-new-poverty-reduction-strategy-ontario) open until March 30th 
- Ontario’s first special advisory on building bridges between vulnerable communities and the government is named [advocate for community opportunities](https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2019/12/10/jamil-jivani-went-to-talk-to-doug-ford-about-disadvantaged-communities-he-left-with-a-new-job-to-make-things-better.html) 
- Five things to know about the next [Ontario budget](http://behindthenumbers.ca/2019/11/29/five-things-about-next-ontario-budget/?mc_cid=32412acba8&mc_eid=eecddb87e4) 
- The federal and provincial governments confirm partnership to provide direct affordability support to Ontarians in housing need; the joint investment of $1.4 billion will be the first under the [Canada Housing Benefit](https://news.ontario.ca/mma/en/2019/12/governments-of-canada-and-ontario-sign-canadas-first-housing-benefit.html) 
- Feed Ontario releases its [2019 Hunger Report](https://feedontario.ca/hunger-report/?mc_cid=09d40b52cb&mc_eid=8582f13eb6) 

**Prince Edward Island:** 

- [Child poverty](https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/child-poverty-on-the-rise-in-pei-boyd-379452/) on the rise in PEI: [child poverty rate](https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/report-cards-shows-reduction-in-child-poverty-in-pei-398908/) declines but the actual number of children living in poverty still growing due to inflation   
- Report card shows [little improvement](https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/child-poverty-in-maritimes-shows-little-improvement-report-reveals-1.4769564) in poverty
- [Social Services Hub](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-community-outreach-social-services-centre-homeless-1.5426203) to open in Charlottetown, making it easier to access services  

**Québec:** 

- Quebec [investing $119,000](http://www.fil-information.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/Article.aspx?lang=en&Page=4&idArticle=2801213111) in the collective for a Quebec without poverty in 2020 
- [$1 Trillion in funding](http://www.fil-information.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/Article.aspx?lang=en&Page=5&idArticle=2801208932) to support innovative projects for the attraction and retention of the workforce in the central Quebec region  

**Saskatchewan****:** 

- [Following Their Voices](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2020/january/21/graduation-rates) improves graduation rates and credit attainment for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students 
- Report shows [child poverty rate](https://panow.com/2020/01/17/child-poverty-rate-in-saskatchewan-third-highest-in-canada-says-report/) in Saskatchewan to be high and working poor wages are not sufficient to sustain a family 

**Yukon Territory:** 

- New partnership between Yukon and BC governments to [build food security](https://yukon.ca/en/news/british-columbia-and-yukon-partner-strategies-feed-north), increase sustainable agriculture and grow opportunities in the North 
- Expansion of [affordable housing](https://yukon.ca/en/news/eliza-building-dawson-expands-territorys-affordable-housing)  

**The Latest Policy Resources and Perspectives****:** 

- Maytree:  
    - Report on System Transformation in [Ontario Works](https://maytree.com/publications/system-transformation-in-ontario-works-considerations-for-ontario/?mc_cid=cebacc0ccb&mc_eid=f3082ba02e)  
    - [Five Ideas](https://maytree.com/publications/five-ideas-maytree-would-like-to-see-in-ontarios-next-poverty-reduction-strategy/?mc_cid=8730f8f41e&mc_eid=2822be2f8e) for Ontario's next Poverty Reduction Strategy
- Wellesley Institute: [Who Benefits?](https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/publications/coverage-gaps-for-ontario-workers/) Gaps in Medication Coverage for Ontario Workers 
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative: 
    - Reducing Poverty to [Improve Educational Outcomes](https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/reducing-poverty-improve-educational-outcomes)  
    - CEO pays 227 times [higher than the average worker](https://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/high-ceo-pay-shatters-previous-records-now-227-times-more-average-worker-pay) 
    - Canada’s Colour Coded [Income Inequality](https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/canadas-colour-coded-income-inequality) 
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities: Nominations open for [Sustainable Communities Awards](https://fcm.ca/en/news-media/announcement/nominations-now-open-fcms-2020-sustainable-communities-awards) 
- Canadian Urban Sustainability Network: The Many Faces of [Energy Poverty](https://energypoverty.ca/) Report  

Topics:  
[Policy](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/policy), [policy clearing house](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/policy-clearing-house), [Elle Richards](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/elle-richards)

![Elle Richards](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Elle%20picture.jpeg)

### By [Elle Richards](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/elle-richards)

Elle has joined the Vibrant Communities team as Manager of Cities, Cities Reducing Poverty. Her experience spans corporate, academic, health and community environments, and working on national, regional and local programs of work, both strategically and operationally. In recent years, Elle has focused her work around issues of food security, poverty and inequalities in health.

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