"All of these investments will have the effect of helping lift children out of poverty, which in turn will dramatically improve their chances of living longer, and in better health."
2010 Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario
"Clearly the Premier is a man of his word. I am proud to live in an Ontario that has taken national leadership on the reduction of poverty. This is a historic moment in the fight against poverty in Canada. For the first time, a government has set a public target for poverty reduction and with clear indicators and investments needed to reach this target.
Gail Nyberg, Daily Bread Food Bank
"In these challenging economic times, the McGuinty Government's plan to reduce child poverty is prudent and thoughtful. The focus on education and skills and the increase to the Ontario Child Benefit make this a strong economic plan as well as a strong poverty reduction plan.
David Pecaut, Chair, Toronto City Summit Alliance
"The fact that the Premier has followed through on a poverty reduction strategy commitment even in the toughest of economic times is very commendable. It signals a recognition of the dovetailing of the kind of action that is required in both stimulating the economy and tackling poverty -and the relationship between the two. In times like these, simultaneous actions for the short- and long-term are critical.
Hon. Roy J. Romanow
"I am pleased to see the provincial government is taking action to address this incredibly important and pressing issue. Breaking the Cycle is a comprehensive and progressive strategy that will accomplish our shared goals of reducing poverty. I look forward to continuing to work with the Premier to bring opportunity to all Torontonians and to make real and lasting improvements in their lives.
Mayor David Miller
"This is truly a historic day for this province. For the first time in Canadian history, a government is setting a target to reduce poverty based on a defined measure. We have seen the impact in other jurisdictions of this type of leadership. Ontarians will look back on this day with pride.
Michael Mendelson, Caledon Institute of Social Policy
"With this announcement Ontario is turning the corner on poverty. In these challenging times, the Premier has affirmed that we are all in this together. That we will overcome the challenges ahead and do all that we can to ensure that no child will be left behind. We applaud the plan and now look forward to working with the government to begin to implement it as quickly as possible. June Callwood must be smiling today.
Rabbi Arthur Bielfeld, June Callwood Campaign against Child Poverty
"There is a lot more work to do before we can say we have succeeded, but today we have built the foundation for real progress on poverty. We should celebrate this achievement. We will be focusing now on the next steps - the work that needs to be done to implement the plan announced today. We'll also be looking to the federal government to stop shadowboxing with the province and step in as a full partner in this initiative. The key will be to hit the ground running on the process, to have deadlines for this work on the near-horizon, and to start implementation within the next year.
Pat Capponi, Voices from the Street and 25 in 5
"This plan is the crucial foundation we need to prevent and reduce poverty in Ontario. For the first time we have a government who will measure poverty, set a clear target for reducing poverty, and who will report on their progress. And the commitment to legislate the plan is extremely significant. We will work with the government to make sure this plan is implemented as quickly as possible.
Jacquie Maund, Campaign 2000 and 25 in 5
"Today's announcement will change our conversation with government. We have come a long way from the poor-bashing of a decade ago. We look forward to working with the provincial government to immediately launch Ontario's review of social assistance - because the changes to social assistance that were implemented in the 1990s are out of date for today's economic and political reality and it is about time that we took leadership on this issue. Too many people have been left behind. We need all Ontarians at their best as we ride out this economic storm.
Cindy Wilkie, Income Security Advocacy Centre
"It's a whole new day in Ontario. The Premier deserves credit for standing firm and seeing the connection between the investments we need to make in poverty reduction and the kinds of outcomes that we need to get our economy back on track. Every budget commitment in the coming years is like a seed planted firmly in the ground - and if we want those seeds to sprout by 2013, we need to start planting now.
Ernie Lightman, Economist and Professor of Social Policy, University of Toronto
"The people of Ontario said they wanted better from our government - they said they wanted leadership for a more hopeful place to live. Today's poverty reduction strategy is a long-awaited but crucial foundation on which we can build real progress to reduce poverty in Ontario. The next step is to build on the commitments laid out in the foundation and to secure investments in upcoming budgets. This is a good beginning; now let's get to work building on these commitments.
Peter Clutterbuck, Social Planning Network of Ontario and 25 in 5
"Ontario will never fully resolve the problem of poverty until the labour market provides fair pay and creates safe working conditions. Turning the corner on working poverty means recognizing that hard work must lead to a decent living. Today's announcement recognizes that anybody who is out there earning a living should have their basic rights protected - it throws some muscle behind enforcing these rights right in the workplaces where Ontarians earn their paycheque. This is good news for hard working Ontarians.
Deena Ladd, Workers Action Centre
"Throughout Ontario's history there have been bold moves made by governments to tackle social inequality. And this is one of them. The first targets and measures are being set today in Ontario, and this will lead other provinces to follow suit. And while this is a long-term plan, there are significant changes in the short-term to remove barriers people face within our social assistance system. This is a big day for Ontario.
John Stapleton, Metcalf Foundation and St. Christopher House
"I have advocated three principles for the fight against poverty. First, we must develop appropriate measures and targets of poverty because you can't improve what you can't measure. Second, for adults the focus should be on providing incentives for attachment to the workforce. Third, ultimately the poverty cycle will only be broken through better education for all children. The plan announced by Ontario today adheres to all three principles and hence I find it encouraging. Reliance upon the Low Income Measure is sub-optimal but I note and support the intent to develop more appropriate measures. The plan recognizes that there are disincentives in the current system to work and appropriately places much emphasis on education."
Don Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, TD Financial Group
"The McGuinty government's poverty reduction strategy is a dynamic response to those of us concerned about poverty in Ontario. By increasing the Ontario Child Benefit, setting practical poverty reduction targets, strengthening the machinery of government to help low income people, and calling to the table the full complement of governments, business, organizations and citizens, the Government has made "25 in 5" a reachable goal.
Alan Broadbent, Maytree Foundation and Avana Capital
To learn more, continue reading Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Download and read Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy.