Relying on local Members of the Parliament as strong advocates on refugee concerns in Kitchener-Waterloo, the Poverty Free KW Group has joined organizations across Ontario in asking them to reject the Bill C-585 that would have serious implications for the health and welfare of refugee claimants and many others awaiting permanent status in Canada. See more from the Income Security Advocacy Centre on the province-wide actions before the Bill goes to vote on September 16th. 

The Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group has been providing valuable insights into the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Social Assistance Review while continuing its local advocacy work to ensure dignity and respect for all. Health and well-being can be achieved through adequate income so people can be autonomous in covering a range of needs for themselves and their families. Putting more people at risk as they become unable to feed and house themselves is directly impacting their human rights and increasing the burden on municipalities and community groups to provide services and supports, none of which is an acceptable strategy for any of the provinces. 

Please read the full letter sent to all local MPs by the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group

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The members of the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group are concerned about Private Members’ Bill C-585, which was introduced by Corneliu Chisu (Conservative MP for Scarborough East-Pickering) in April 2014 and goes to Second Reading on September 16. 

If passed, this Bill would have serious implications for the health and welfare of refugee claimants and many others awaiting permanent status in Canada. The Bill would amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and allow provincial governments to disentitle people on certain types of status in Canada to social assistance income supports until they meet a minimum residency requirement.

As a result, refugee claimants and other people without permanent status in Canada could lose access to what may be their only source of income. In some cases, people in these situations may be eligible for a work permit, but it can take time for a permit to be approved and issued. An alternate source of income is required, at least in the interim, which social assistance frequently provides. Even with a work permit, it can be hard to find a job, particularly for people who are suffering from trauma and the impact of violence and persecution in their home country. Other people in these situations are categorically not eligible for a work permit. 

The Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group has been providing valuable insights into the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Social Assistance Review while continuing its local advocacy work to ensure dignity and respect for all. Health and wellbeing can be achieved through adequate income so people can be autonomous in covering a range of needs for themselves and their families. Putting more people at risk as they become unable to feed and house themselves is directly impacting their human rights and increasing the burden on municipalities and community groups to provide services and supports, none of which is an acceptable strategy for any of the provinces.

The Bill would also significantly erode the last remaining National Standard for the Canada Social Transfer and therefore contribute to the erosion of the important role that the federal government plays in ensuring equal treatment across the provinces, and in making sure that all the people in Canada have access to the social services and supports they require. 

We are urging you to vote against Bill C-585 when it comes forward for Second Reading on September 16. 

Sincerely,

Catherine Stewart-Savage & Alex Troeger

For the Poverty Free Kitchener-Waterloo Action Group