---
title: "Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest: July 2019"
description: The Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest aims to provide you with timely poverty-related policy updates and resources from across Canada.
---

[The Latest ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest)

# [Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest: July 2019](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/cities-reducing-poverty-policy-digest-july-2019)

 Written by [Kirsti Battista](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/kirsti-battista) | July 14, 2019

The Cities Reducing Poverty Policy Digest aims to provide you with timely poverty-related policy updates and resources from across Canada.

Key highlights include increased federal benefits for families and seniors, the Royal Assent of Bill C-97 ensuring a long-term federal commitment to reduce poverty, a series of policy updates aimed at supporting those living in poverty in British Columbia, and Alberta businesses standing up for youth workers by not cutting the youth minimum wage. 

**National Policy Updates:**

- The [Poverty Reduction Act](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2019/06/poverty-reduction-in-canada-will-remain-a-priority-in-the-years-to-come.html) is now entrenched into law, ensuring a long-term federal commitment to reduce poverty
- The [Canada Child Benefit will be raised](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2019/07/strengthening-the-middle-class-by-putting-more-money-in-the-pockets-of-canadians.html) on July 20 to keep up with the cost of living
- The Government of Canada is leading the development of a [2030 Agenda National Strategy](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2019/06/canada-makes-important-strides-towards-a-2030-agenda-national-strategy.html)
- [Old Age Security increased](https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/old-age-security-to-increase-on-july-1-843697043.html) as of July 1

**Updates by Province and Territory:**

**Alberta:**

- Alberta has the lowest corporate taxes in Canada after the [Job Creation Tax Cut Act](https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=641413F230092-A4A5-3929-A6DFEDAF60175BF4) received royal assent and became law
- A coalition of businesses in Alberta have pledged not to cut youth employees’ pay after UCP government changed [minimum wage for youth](https://edmontonjournal.com/business/local-business/over-110-alberta-businesses-pledge-to-maintain-15-minimum-wage-as-youth-wage-cut-takes-effect-wednesday) to $13/hr

**British Columbia:**

- A series of [policy updates](https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019SDPR0051-001379) will remove barriers for people struggling with poverty

**Manitoba:**

- 10-year agreement between Manitoba and the federal government will invest almost $450.8 million to prioritize [affordable housing](https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?item=45386&posted=2019-06-11) under the National Housing Strategy

**New Brunswick:**

- A milestone moment: there are now [30,183 licensed child care spaces](https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2019.06.0368.html) in New Brunswick

**Newfoundland and Labrador:**

- [Linkages program](https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2019/AESL/0703n03.aspx) applications to employ young people between the ages of 18-30 due July 26
- Income threshold for child care subsidy [increased to $35,000](https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2019/edu/0628n02.aspx) as of July 1

**Nova Scotia:**

- Youth [unemployment rate](https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20190705003) at 9.8 per cent, the lowest since 1976
- Accessible Transportation Assistance Program provides [funding for community transportation](https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20190705001) 

**Northwest Territories:**

- Northern Pathways to Housing Complex Opens in [Behchokǫ̀](https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/northern-pathways-housing-complex-opens-behchoko)

**Nunavut:**

- The Department of Family Services is working to establish and develop a long term and stable [damp shelter program](https://gov.nu.ca/family-services/news/damp-shelter-pilot-project) for clients and city residents who have no place to go in the winter

**Ontario:**

- Todd Smith [shares his priorities](https://news.ontario.ca/mcys/en/2019/07/statement-from-the-minister-of-children-community-and-social-services-todd-smith.html) as the new Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

**Prince Edward Island:**

- Islanders with lived experience and those who work day-to-day with Islanders experiencing poverty are encouraged to [apply to the province’s poverty reduction council](https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/island-voices-sought-poverty-reduction-council)

**Québec:**

- The province has [introduced an additional $6.4 million](http://www.fil-information.gouv.qc.ca/Pages/Article.aspx?motsCles=&listeThe=13&listeReg=&listeDiff=&type=1&dateDebut=2019-06-01&dateFin=2019-07-15&afficherResultats=oui&idArticle=2707047174) and more flexibility for the integration of children with disabilities into subsidized child care for 2019-2020

**Saskatchewan:**

- Saskatchewan set [an all-time record for employment](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/july/05/jobs-in-saskatchewan) in June at 592,900 jobs
- Province announces new housing units for families with disabilities in [Sasktoon](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/june/21/family-housing-project) and [Regina](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2019/june/25/rental-housing-in-regina)

**Yukon Territory:**

- Yukon [will receive approximately $45 million](https://yukon.ca/en/news/governments-canada-and-yukon-announce-agreements-help-canadians-improve-their-skills-and) over six years to invest in Yukon’s workers

**The Latest Policy Resources and Perspectives:**

- AFN and CCPA: [New report](https://www.afn.ca/2019/07/09/first-nations-children-most-impoverished-in-canada-report/) shows First Nations Children are the Most Impoverished in Canada
- Maytree Opinion: [Prioritizing fundamental human rights can help us find the clarity we need for good public policy](https://maytree.com/publications/prioritizing-fundamental-human-rights-can-help-us-find-the-clarity-we-need-for-good-public-policy/)
- CCPA: Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program is [failing to support low-wage and precariously-employed workers](https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/towards-inclusive-economy) 
- MMIWG: The [Final Report](https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/?utm_source=thoroldnews.com&utm_campaign=thoroldnews.com&utm_medium=referral) of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has been released
- The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness: New website launched for the [Homelessness Learning Hub](https://www.homelessnesslearninghub.ca/about)

[View full post](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/cities-reducing-poverty-policy-digest-july-2019)

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