1. Rising numbers at Food banks in the midst of an Economic Boom.

2. - 2006 last statistics: 6570 or 8.1% in poverty - Low Income Cut-off after tax (measure) - Now? Economic Boom: labor shortages (FNETB,2013) - Numbers on the rise at food banks and emergency shelter (Key informants) - Homelessness in Timmins Report (Kauppi, 2012) 720 different cases – almost double Sudbury which is almost 3 times bigger!

3.  Key informants confirm that the 2011 circumstances of the Report are still here and getting worse:  50% of the homeless were on Social Assist.  56% indicated that “problems with work” (including low wages) and “problems with social assist.” Is main reasons for their homelessness.  Inadequate rates of assistance and minimum wage seem to perpetuate the paradox.

4. MonthlySingle person (37.5 hrs/w) Family 4 – 2 workers: 59.5 hrs/w Housing:$694.00$1017.00 Utilities:$125.00$320.00 Food:$318.00$802.00 Clothing:$25.00$65.00 Transportation:$69.00$246.00 Health Care Costs:$38.00$151.00 Phone:$40.00 Personal care/misc.$25.00$50.00 Total$1334.00$2691.00 Min. Wage:$1450.00$2343.00 OW (not working) ODSP “ “ $606.00 $996.00 $1907.00 $2526.00 LIM AT$1533.33$3370.00

5. Information sources: Housing: Rental Market Report 2012, CMHC, vacancy rate 1.5%. Utilities: Timmins survey consistent with North Bay, 2012. Food: Porcupine Health Unit, Nutritious Food Basket 2012. Clothing: Timmins estimates same as North Bay, 2012. Transportation: Timmins Transit, 2013. Health Care Costs: Average for Ontario from Stats. Can., Table 203- 0021, SHS, Household Spending, Canada regions…CANSIM. Personal Care: Timmins est. consistent with North Bay, 2012. Phone: Bell and Rogers Home Phone Packages, 2013.

6.  March 8 th Day of Justice held by the Social Planning Network of Ontario/ Poverty Free Ontario (Rod and Ed Ligocki Delegates)  Over 100 reps. from 22 different communities (ISARC – United Church also)  Affirm a six point strategy to recommend to the new ‘social justice’ Premier  Local discussion results in one more point being added.

8. 1) $100 social assistance increase 2) Index social assistance 3) No cuts to other programs to fund increase 4) Exempt first $200 (500?) before starting 50% claw back 5) Min. wage set at %10 above LIM AT poverty line 6) Index the minimum wage 7) Community based equalization payment

9.  presented by Rod and Ed Ligocki (E.D. for the Good Samaritan Inn) with:  Darlene Sayer, Pres. of the Cochrane Regional Food bank and City of Cochrane Food Bank.  Richard Bouvier, Pres. S. Porcupine Food Bank.  Amber Elliot, Community Food Coordinator for 1 st Baptist Church Food Bank – Board member Anti- Hunger Coalition Timmins.  Rev.Arlene Onuoha, Presbyterian Regional Minister – Kap., Cochrane, Timmins  Phil Kelly, Pres. Lord’s Kitchen Society.

10.  Consider support for the Social Planning Network Ontario/Poverty Free Ontario Coalition by affirming the ‘Good Faith Plan’ and allowing the Council’s name to be associated with this Anti-poverty initiative…