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Reg. $99 $49FURNACE DIAGNOSTICSPECIALFAST & RELIABLE SERVICE AIRE ONE MADNESS SALEAIRE ONE MADNESS SALEPud bySteveNease This is an open letter toThis is an open letter toT MPP Lisa MacLeod, Minis-MPP Lisa MacLeod, Minis-M ter of Community and So- cial Services Dear Minister Mac- Leod, We are writing in re-We are writing in re-W sponse to your govern- ment's decision to end the Basic Income Pilot pro- gram in Ontario. We strongly disagree with your decision to end this pilot prematurely and without regard for the de- monstrably positive im- pact that this program was having upon the lives of people living in poverty in our province. As such, we respectful- ly urge you to reconsider a policy decision that will only serve to deepen the experience of poverty for millions of Ontario's chil- dren, families and seniors. The Halton Poverty Roundable is a registered charity and a leader in connecting, educating and acting on issues related to poverty in Halton. In our community, 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 Oakville, Burlington, Mil- ton and Halton Hills have over 37,000 individuals who struggle daily to sur- vive 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 abun- dance of first-hand ac- counts of the difference that basic income had made to people's lives. The decision to abandon the pi- lot will cause needless dif- ficulties for the partici-ficulties for the partici-f pants struggling to escape poverty. Given the initial suc- cess of the program, we cannot understand the im- mediate need for cancella- tion. Surely, it would have been prudent to conclude the pilot and use the re- sulting data in the devel- opment of social policy. We are hopeful thatWe are hopeful thatW your government's an- nouncement to reform so- cial assistance in the next 100 days includes an inclu- sive and transparent pro- cess, collaboration across all sectors and a fulsome consultation process in- cluding those living with the challenges of poverty. As you may know, hav- ing a 100-day timeline to reform the entire social assistance program will be met with challenges, in- cluding the potential for increases of punitive and ineffective approaches and models being imple- mented, the reduction of supports under the guise of decreasing resource costs and a lack of under- standing of the lived expe- rience of being on Ontario Works and Ontario Disa-Works and Ontario Disa-W bility Support Program. As you embark on this reform, we would like to draw your attention to the living wage in Halton Re- gion. In order for a family in Halton to cover their ba- sic living expenses, a fami- ly of four would have to have both adults working 37.5 hours per week, mak- ing $17.95 per hour. Clear- ly, minimum wage, Onta- rio Works and ODSP do not come close to afford- ing recipients a basic stan- dard of living in Halton. Your government's pro-Your government's pro-Y posed 1.5 per cent increase in social assistance will do little to assist the most vul- nerable people in our com- munities. The Halton Poverty Roundtable respectfully requests that the Govern- ment of Ontario continue the Basic Income Pilot program through to its conclusion before making a final decision as to the ef- ficacy, both socially and fi-ficacy, both socially and fi-f nancially, of the basic in- come concept. In light of the current economic climate in Onta- rio, the low Canadian dol- lar, the ongoing trade tar- iff situation with the Unit- ed States combined with the cost of living, this is driving uncertainty for the most vulnerable. Bottom line: you know that it is harder for fami- lies to survive, and the cancellation of the Basic Income Pilot program and the cut to our current so- cial assistance program puts far too many at even greater risk. SARAH SABIHUDDIN, HALTON POVERTY ROUNDTABLE'S DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CANCELLATION OF BASIC INCOME PILOT PUTS FAR TOO MANY AT GREATER RISK: POVERTY ROUNDTABLE OPINION SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM