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12 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 5, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Professor plotting to reduce poverty By Ryan Boton SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Marvyn Novick has a goal. He wants to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25 per cent in five years and 50 per cent in 10 years. And he's looking for your input. Novick, an experienced social policy analyst and consultant with Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO), was in Oakville last Thursday presenting his Blueprint for Poverty Reduction to a cross-section of approximately 150 residents. A part of the 25 in 5: Network for Poverty Reduction, Novick argued the social, political and namely, economic imperative to mitigate poverty in Ontario. Especially as Canada eyes an eco- nomic downturn, now is the most apt time to act on poverty alleviation, said Novick, because it's economically prudent. A retired social policy Ryerson professor, Novick is making his way across the province to 25 communities with SPNO Coordinator and co-author of Blueprint for Poverty Reduction, Peter Clutterbuck lecturing about the poverty-reduction initiative as a framework for action. They believe that reducing poverty by 25 per cent in five years is not just possible, but imperative. "When it came down to really translating these principals and elements into policy proposals, we thought the best model to use... is to develop something "Strengthening the incomes of vulnerable families and adults and investing in housing and childcare not only reduces poverty, it's the smartest thing we can do to stimulate local economies." Martin Novick Martin Novick that we can take into the communities that people can react to and ask questions," said Clutterbuck, prefacing Novick's Blueprint speech. "We are very interested in hearing your feedback today on the Blueprint and we will be using that information... as a community-tested document." Nearly 1.3 million Ontario residents live in poverty. That translates to one in nine children. Now, in a financial unsteady environment it is the best time to invest in poverty reduction, argued Novick in his deep, coarse voice. "It is absolutely essential that in these hard times, poverty Christmas Table-Cover Sale Celebrate the holidays with feasts and with fables. But don't let the festivities ruin your tables. A glass table cover will protect their veneer And keep them perfect for the New Year! all 5-6 mm clear, bronze or grey glass table covers. Polished edges only. 20% off reduction is fiscally responsible ­ it's not just socially necessary, it's economically smart," he said. "That's going to be the strongest case that I make." Based on smart borrowing, Ontario can effectively and swiftly lessen its poverty situation just as it did after the Second World War, said Novick. "I want to suggest today that strengthening the incomes of vulnerable families and adults and investing in housing and childcare not only reduces poverty, it's the smartest thing we can do to stimulate local economies." A recently-released report, entitled The Cost of Poverty, concluded that Ontario taxpayers end up paying $38 billion annually on "the total cost of poverty." It's to this point that Novick contends that poverty reduction is indeed critical to our economic success. It takes communities like Oakville to make this hap- (Heavy glass, speciality edge-work and tempered glass not included) included Sale runs from December 1, 2008 ­ December 14, 2008 Delivery available upon request at an extra charge c 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 Come One, Come All to Our: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE WITH SANTA Join us, the River Glen Dental Team on Saturday, December 13th, 2008 between 1:30pm to 3:30pm 4-575 River Glen Blvd. Oakville (S. of Neyagawa & Dundas) Let's welcome Santa Claus together as he helps us bring in the holiday cheer this season. We will be serving hot drinks and festive treats for everyone; while we will be taking complimentry photos with Santa as he gives out gift bags to all the children. Drop by our office and meet our wonderful team and see all that we have to offer, while filling out a ballot to participate in our HOLIDAY RAFFLE. You could be one of the 3 LUCKY WINNERS whose name is drawn by Santa at the end of our Open House event. Help us help those in need this holiday season by BRINGING IN A NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM to build up our HOLIDAY FOOD TREE donated this year to ST. MARY'S FOOD BANK in Mississauga. Dr. Monica Sardana and team would like to send warm holiday greetings to all and wishes everyone a safe and Happy New Year! pen, said Novick. Novick said the turnout of last week's event, which was only matched in size to Belleville thus far, shows that the eradication of poverty means a lot to the people of Oakville. "What I see in this room is a broad cross-section of public interest saying that this is an important civic issue," he said glancing around at the attentive onlookers. Looking to America and President-elect Barack Obama, Novick noted that the U.S. has a leader committed to poverty reduction. In Canada, however, Novick has qualms with the current Conservative government and its lacking poverty alleviation platform. "So we had four of the five federal parties supporting poverty reduction and the one of the five parties that didn't support poverty reduction is the current minority government," said Novick. Before the end of 2008, the Ontario Liberal government is expected to present its comprehensive, multi-year poverty reduction strategy. Novick and 25 in 5 Network are anticipating, and have high hopes, for its goals and indicators, including reducing poverty by 25 per cent in five years. "We have every reason to believe that it will be there," said Novick of the "important" commitment. "When his (Premier Dalton McGuinty) strategy comes forward -- if it has basic levels of seriousness in it -- we will identify what they are, and I have reason to believe they'll be there, we will commend it. We will commend it as a foundation upon which to build." Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, who introduced Novick and Clutterbuck at the beginning of the event, argued that the government's new poverty reduction strategy will put Ontario on the right path in making key steps to fighting poverty. "For some years, I don't think it's any secret on the poverty agenda, we have been slipping backwards in this province," said Flynn. "I'm proud to say that for the first time in the province of Ontario, we are going to start to measure poverty and we are going to start to track our progress based on very real, very firm key targets and key indicators." As the 25 in 5 network is aiming to assemble the community feedback into a substantial report, Oakville will have its say now and in the future, said Clutterbuck. "I know we are going to be back seeing you in the future with whatever further development there is on the poverty plan as it gets rolled out," he said. For more information on the 25 in 5: Network for Poverty Reduction, visit www.25in5.ca.