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11| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,A ugust 23,2018 theifp.ca This is an open letter to MPP Lisa MacLeod, Minis- ter of Community and Social Services Dear Minister MacLeod, We are writing in re- sponse to your government's decision to end the Basic In- come Pilot program in Onta- rio. We strongly disagree with your decision to end this pilot prematurely and without regard for the de- monstrably positive impact that this program was hav- ing upon the lives of people living in poverty in our prov- ince. As such, we respectfully urge you to reconsider a pol- icy decision that will only serve to deepen the experi- ence of poverty for millions of Ontario's children, fami- lies and seniors. The Halton Poverty Roundable is a registered charity and a leader in con- necting, educating and act- ing on issues related to pov- erty in Halton. In our com- munity, one in 10 of our neighbours do not know where their next meal will come from and one in three seniors are living below the poverty line. Our communities of Oak- ville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills have over 37,000 individuals who struggle daily to survive on low incomes or who live in poverty. Minister MacLeod, the conclusion of the first phase of the Basic Income Pilot in April of this year, brought with it an abundance of first- hand accounts of the differ- ence that basic income had made to people's lives. The decision to abandon the pilot will cause needless difficul- ties for the participants struggling to escape pover- ty. Given the initial success of the program, we cannot understand the immediate need for cancellation. Sure- ly, it would have been pru- dent to conclude the pilot and use the resulting data in the development of social policy. We are hopeful that your government's announce- ment to reform social assis- tance in the next 100 days in- cludes an inclusive and transparent process, collab- oration across all sectors and a fulsome consultation process including those liv- ing with the challenges of poverty. As you may know, having a 100-day timeline to reform the entire social assistance program will be met with challenges, including the potential for increases of pu- nitive and ineffective ap- proaches and models being implemented, the reduction of supports under the guise of decreasing resource costs and a lack of understanding of the lived experience of be- ing on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program. As you embark on this re- form, we would like to draw your attention to the living wage in Halton Region. In order for a family in Halton to cover their basic living ex- penses, a family of four would have to have both adults working 37.5 hours per week, making $17.95 per hour. Clearly, minimum wage, Ontario Works and ODSP do not come close to affording recipients a basic standard of living in Halton. Your government's pro- posed 1.5 per cent increase in social assistance will do lit- tle to assist the most vulner- able people in our communi- ties. The Halton Poverty Roundtable respectfully re- quests that the Government of Ontario continue the Ba- sic Income Pilot program through to its conclusion be- fore making a final decision as to the efficacy, both social- ly and financially, of the ba- sic income concept. In light of the current eco- nomic climate in Ontario, the low Canadian dollar, the ongoing trade tariff situa- tion with the United States combined with the cost of living, this is driving uncer- tainty for the most vulnera- ble. Bottom line: you know that it is harder for families to survive, and the cancella- tion of the Basic Income Pi- lot program and the cut to our current social assis- tance program puts far too many at even greater risk. SARAH SABIHUDDIN, HALTON POVERTY ROUNDTABLE'S DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPINION CANCELLATION OF BASIC INCOME PILOT PUTS FAR TOO MANY AT GREATER RISK: POVERTY ROUNDTABLE Old World Quality New World Satisfaction since 1983 BASED IN GEORGETOWN SERVING ALL OF HALTON & PEEL REGIONS & ORANGEVILLE • Complete Residential Re-roofing • Repairs • Financing Now Available • Metal Flashing • Cedar Roofs • Copper Roofs and Flashing SHINGLES • CEDAR • FLATS • COPPER www.findlayroofing.ca Fully Licensed and Insured. Call for a FREE Estimate 905-702-7977 Email: info@findlayroofing.ca | toll free 800-683-2999 Silver 2018 Halton Hills LITIGATIONlegal matters I am married, but I have separated from my spouse. Can I ask that I continue to live alone in the home we have together while we work things out? The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Q A ASK THE PROFESSIONAL Todd C. Hein Litigation Lawyer Proud member of OFFICE LOCATIONS GEORGETOWN 8 Guelph Street 905 452 7400 BRAmPTON OFFICE (main) 350 Rutherford Road S., Suite 320 905 452 7400 CALEDON EAST 15955 Airport Road, Suite 201 905 584 4545 A relationship breakdown can be very stressful and involve a lot of conflict. It is understandable in some situations that someone would want to live alone, perhaps with the children, and have his or her privacy and security. If you are married, the home in which you live is considered the "matrimonial home".You do not need to be on title for it to be considered a matrimonial home. In fact, a rental property like an apartment can be considered a matrimonial home.You and your spouse can agree, or the court can order that one of you have exclusive possession of the matrimonial home. Ontario's Family Law Act provides for the sorts of factors the courts will consider when determining whether a married spouse should have "exclusive possession" of the matrimonial home, including, without limitation: the best interests of the children, including the effect that a move might have on them; the children's attachment to the neighborhood; if the children are in school, and their attachment to friends; any violence committed against you or your children; you and your spouse's financial situations; and the availability of other suitable and affordable accommodation. Lockyer + Hein LLP is a full service firm that does a lot of family law. We are happy to meet you for a free consultation about your matter at one of our three offices, including 8 Guelph Street, Georgetown, in the Lounsbury Life & Group Insurance Benefits building. Have a great weekend. Empowering Clients. Enriching the Community. SALES SERVICE INSTALLATIONSESA #7003060 DEKEReLeCTRIC ltd. 905-702-0515 www.dekerelectric.ca TIONS 2016SMALLBUSINESSOF THEYEAR # HALTONHILLSPROUD! WE ARE LIFELONG RESIDENTS OF HALTON HILLS, AND WE ARE