Wellesley Institute

Wellesley Institute works in research and policy to improve health and health equity in the GTA through action on the social determinants of health.

Home Publications Ontario’s New Poverty Reduction Plan Provides Solid Foundation

Michael Shapcott

Ontario’s New Poverty Reduction Plan Provides Solid Foundation

The release of the Ontario government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy on December 4, 2008, marks a significant change from the terrible policies and practices of the past 15 years that have punished people who are poor for their poverty. The Wellesley Institute has released a detailed backgrounder that examines what’s in the latest announcement and sets out the crucial next steps. Overall, Ontario is to be congratulated for turning its back on “poor-bashing”. There are even some new and innovative ideas–such as strengthening the province’s third sector. But there is plenty of work to do, and major new investments are required. The bare foundation set out in the December 4 announcement, along with the limited new investments, set the stage for the vital next steps.

Download Ontario Starts To Attack Poverty, Instead Of The Poor Backgrounder
Categories: ,  Tags: ,   
Michael Shapcott

Michael Shapcott

Michael Shapcott is Director, Affordable Housing and Social Innovation at Wellesley Institute. Michael has worked extensively in Toronto, in many parts of Canada, nationally and internationally on social innovation, the non-profit sector, civic engagement, housing and housing rights, poverty, social exclusion, urban health and health equity. He is recognized as one of Canada’s leading community-based housing and homelessness experts. He is currently on secondment to the Princes' Charities Canada.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Land

We wish to acknowledge this land on which the Wellesley Institute operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.

Revised by the Ceremonial Committee at the University of Toronto Office of Indigenous Initiatives in April 2021.