Poverty costs us billions annually

Re: Ontario’s failing efforts tackling poverty (Feb. 11)

Marvin Ross compares Ontario’s weak response to poverty to the stronger measures taken by the B.C. government. Since 2018, social assistance recipients in Ontario have had to face an unusual rise in food prices, while their monthly payments remain frozen at $733 for those deemed to be “employable.” This is 41 per cent of Canada’s Market Basket Measure poverty line.

The buying power of Ontario’s social assistance has been shrinking since the previous PC government cut the rates by 21.6 per cent in 1995, followed by minimal or no annual increases to match inflation.

The spread of the pandemic is worse among lowincome people: they are forced to live in crowded quarters, use public transit and seek food from emergency sources.

Their health was already compromised by inadequate nutrition before the pandemic, and low-income communities have the highest levels of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Their children are being forced to spend more time at home, missing school programs, such as food, that provide a safety net for families who are struggling to feed their children.

Allowing families to live in poverty hurts our province even in non-pandemic times. A 2019 study by Feed Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Food Banks) estimated the annual cost of poverty in Ontario is between $27.1 billion and $33 billion: these costs come from loss of tax revenue, and increased expenses in the health and justice systems.

Sally Palmer, chair, Hamilton Social Work Action Committee