The OCAP Poverty Index

THE IMMEDIATE AND ONGOING CRISIS OF POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN ONTARIO: Click here to see a point-by-point breakdown of the attacks on poor and working people by all 3 levels of government over the past decade. From the ending of funding by the Federal government in 1993 for subsidized housing to the dismal welfare rates and growing ranks of people working for low wages in 2005.

THE IMMEDIATE AND ONGOING CRISIS OF POVERTY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN ONTARIO: THE OCAP POVERTY INDEX

1993-94 - Federal government ceases direct funding of subsidized and affordable housing programs

1995 - Ontario Works rates cut by 21.6%, Disability rates frozen, Ontario provincial government halts funding of affordable housing construction

1998 - Tenant Protection Act introduced in Ontario, significantly loosens rent controls and sends rental prices spiralling. From 1998 to 2003 rents in the GTA increased by 19.3% (Daily Bread Food Bank, 2003).

1999 - Funding of affordable housing initiatives in Ontario now totals $0.00 (from $1.1 billion)

2004 - 3% increase to OW & ODSP payments promised (and eventually delivered late after a computer “malfunction”). For a single adult receiving OW the 3% increase amounts to an increase of $15.60.

-In real terms, OW rates have declined by over 35% and ODSP by 12% since 1995. (HungerCount, 2004)

-People receiving social assistance spend most of their money on housing but the shelter allowance portions of OW and ODSP don’t come anywhere near to covering the cost of shelter. This leaves little after rent income with which to purchase food and other items.

-Current welfare rates fail to meet the cost of both rent and food as measured by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and by the Nutritious Food Basket guidelines. (HungerCount, 2004)

-OW is $536 for a single person. The average rent for a bachelor apartment in Toronto $730 (CMHC)

-Estimated grocery budget allowed for a family living on social assistance in Ontario family (2 adults & 2 children under 16 yrs.): $203 (HungerCount 2003)

-Grocery allowance needed by a family of four (as estimated by Toronto Public Health): $524

-Toronto Public Health found a 3% rise in food costs from 2001 - 2002 and a 13% rise since 1999.

-Over 60% of food bank users cite social assistance as their primary source of income. (HungerCount)

-Ontario has the highest provincial food bank use at 38%, but food banks cannot ensure that the nutritional needs of users are met. (HungerCount 2004)

-Number of people using food relief programs in Toronto in 1995: 115 000

-Number of people using food relief programs in Toronto in 2003: 160,000

-Percentage of people using food relief programs who went hungry once a week in 1995: 15.4%

-Percentage of people using food relief programs who went hungry once a week in 2003: 47.6%

-Number of children in Toronto schools requiring nutritional support: 80,000

-Increase in inflation since 1995: 20%

-Increase in costs of water, fuel and electricity since 1995: 30%

-Increase in cost of food since 1995: 14%

-Increase in cost of rent for a one bedroom since 1995: 26%

-Increase in social assistance rates since 1995: 3%

-Increase in median income for families in Toronto's 12 wealthiest neighbourhoods since 1995: 25%

-Loss in median income for families in Toronto's 12 poorest neighbourhoods since 1995: 8%

-TTC adult cash fare in 1989: $1.10
-TTC adult cash fare in 2005: $2.50
-TTC adult metropass in 1989: $49
-TTC adult metropass in 2005: $98.75

-Percentage minimum wage would need to be increased to match inflation since 1995: 20% Percentage it has been increased: 4%

-Number of dollars a fulltime minimum wage earner in Toronto remains below the poverty line: $6,000

-Number of workers in Toronto earning less that $10 an hour: 1 million

-Amount MPP's pay has been increased under Harris, Eves and McGuinty: $35,000

-Number of Ontarians without access to a family doctor (and therefore unable receive the Special Diet Allowance): Between 900,000-1,000,000 (Ontario Health Coalition)

National Council of Welfare: Welfare Incomes 2003:
-Total amount of income available to a single person on OW is $6,838 (35% of the amount needed to reach the poverty line)
-Total amount of income available to a single person with a disability: $11,765 (59% of the amount needed to reach the poverty line)
-Total amount of income available to a single parent with one child: $13,917 (56% of the amount needed to reach the poverty line)
-Total amount of income available to a two parent family with two children $18,471 (59% of the amount needed to reach the poverty line)

-According to Statistics Canada, a four person family living in a large city would need to earn $31, 424 (after tax) to reach the “low-income cut-off” (HungerCount)

“Limited access to food has been linked with poor health, lower birth weights, and multiple health conditions such as obesity and depression.” (Dieticians of Canada)