Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition


	2010 Social Audit ISARC is mobilizing again to provide opportunities for the most vulnerable of our society to tell their stories of living in poverty. In 2010, Hearings will take place across Ontario as part of ISARC’s Social Audit. This Social Audit seeks to communicate the social effects of the current Ontario government’s policies and actions towards people living in poverty and our society as a whole. Click here to find out how you can get involved and where ISARC hopes to hold these province-wide Hearings. Contact us at info@isarc.ca if you would like to help out. No one in Ontario should go hungry View the compelling video of Darren Nesbit (Sarnia) as he tells of his struggle to live on limited groceries after paying his rent. This presentation occurred at an event convened in Hamilton on Friday, December 4 to mark the first anniversary of the Ontario Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. It takes a village to raise a child Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs - January 26, 2010 in London How will the HST affect the poor? by Greg DeGroot-Maggetti The caveat is that you need to file a tax return in order to receive the refundable tax credits. “Low income families and individuals, many members of First Nations and others who do not tend to file tax returns will be significantly worse off as they will derive no benefit from the credits or the PIT [personal income tax] cuts.” That means that without a clear strategy to make sure low income families and individuals actually receive the refundable credits, the HST could make them worse off. Click here to read more... Affordable housing is key to our future Reducing poverty and building healthy communities where all can contribute. Read ISARC's submission to Ontario Affordable Housing Strategy, where we point out that affordable housing is key to our future. Poor Bashing: blaming the weak for society's problems by Jamie Swift We are living through difficult economic times, with high unemployment and low benefits for the jobless. It is still tragically easy to put the blame on the weak for society’s problems. We have enough – more than enough if you consider the holiday cornucopia on offer at the mall and at festive gatherings – to provide a decent life for all. The recent resurgence of poor bashing comes after years of patient organizing by social justice advocates. We have managed to nudge the plight of the poor back onto the political agenda. Click here to read more. Poverty reduction is needed for a strong recovery that works for everyone by Greg DeGroot-Maggetti On the first anniversary of the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy, the importance of the strategy cannot be overstated. Given the current economic situation – with job losses mounting and food banks seeing more and more people – there is every indication the government will miss their poverty reduction target unless they redouble their efforts. Click here to read more.
	Do the Math. What kind of life can you afford on social assistance? Poverty in Ontario is at an all time high. As the economic crisis grows, so does the number of people relying on social assistance and food banks. Does a single person on social assistance receive enough income to live with health and dignity? What kind of life can you afford on social assistance? Find out if the rates add up with an interactive budgeting exercise at: www.dothemath.thestop.org Then contact your MPP and encourage him or her to also Do the Math. How much do they think it costs to live? How much do they think social assistance and minimum wage should increase? How would they or their family survive on social assistance?
	ISARC 2009 Prayer Vigil Praying that you have mercy on the poor. Queen's Park, Toronto - Tuesday, March 3, to Thursday, March 26 Catch a flavour of what the month-long Vigil was like
	Lives Still in the Balance This timely book outlines a deepening crisis of poverty, hunger and homelessness in Ontario and what we can do. Order now
	Taking Action There are many reasons to take action and many ways to do it. See how you can make a difference.