Health Providers Against Poverty endorsed a recent Position Statement from the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health calling for a basic income pilot in Ontario.
The need for urgent action on income inequity and food insecurity was highlighted in this letter to Premier Wynne and the provincial government.
“OSNPPH members apply the cost of the Nutritious Food Basket and average rental housing costs to various family composition and income scenarios in both Northern and non-Northern jurisdictions. Year after year, our analyses clearly indicate that families and individuals who have minimum wage incomes or receive social assistance do not have enough money to cover the basic cost of living”
“As demonstrated in our Position Statement, the primary community response to food insecurity – food charity – is an ineffective and counterproductive response to food insecurity because it does not address the root cause which is poverty. While food charity may help to relieve immediate hunger in those who seek assistance, food insecurity persists. To effectively address food insecurity, income responses are required.”
More information:
Household Food Insecurity in Canada 2013
Health Providers Against Poverty 