Social Development Centre Waterloo Region

The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee is making one year cash grants for one time projects, initiatives or events that support inclusion and/or belonging within Kitchener neighbourhoods. Maximum of $2,000 per proposal for one time initiatives with ties to established community organizations and $500 for individuals or informal group! Read more on eligibility and criteria. April 1st deadline has been extended and grants are accepted on an ongoing basis in the first year!

​Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo and its partners in Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo have been participating in multiple pre-budget consultations from January to March 2014 and have carefully reviewed the proposed government Budget. We have found that some of the suggestions made by our local and province wide anti-poverty networks have been heard and reflected in the budget proposal:

- Austerity is not to way to provide prosperity and security for Ontarians
- Recognition that investment in social assistance contributes to economic growth
- Income inequality needs to be addressed in Ontario
- Development of the new Poverty Reduction Strategy in partnership with local organizations and local communities

Reduction of poverty for children and adults and the trend of increase in social assistance rates and minimum wage are among the gains in dialogue with MPPs of different political stripes all around the province and we would expect all parties to support these directions.

Changes to the Fair Elections Act proposal arrive as a major back-down on vouching, closing the fundraising loophole and Elections Canada appointing poll supervisors. There are still important concerns, such as ID still being needed with vouching and voter information cards would be accepted as ID, the gap in Elections Canada investigative powers and the Elections Canada commissioner still moving over to the office of the Public Prosecution. We wish to thank Peggy Nash, Mathieu Doucet and Sharon Sommerville for their participation in the educational panel on April 23rd. See the photos from the event and the report from Fair Vote Waterloo Region Chapter.

Do you participate in a group for youth 15 years and older? Does your group want to give voice to the issues youth face today and their concerns about how the future will unfold for them? This forum will provide space to talk about what is important to you and others your age: understanding local youth issues, motivating youth in practicing democracy, encouraging youth to raise their issues in upcoming elections, engaging a planning group to organize election activities, be it municipal, provincial or federal. You are welcome Thursday May 1, 2014 6 - 8 pm at the Family Centre Auditorium, 65 Hanson Avenue in Kitchener.