Additional Resources
Documents are listed by the year they were produced. To find documents according to keywords, please use the search function at top right.
2010
Bold Vision for Social Assistance Reform 
The province urgently requires a more effective system of income security programs that meet the needs of Ontarians in a rapidly shifting economy, says a new report by the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC). more >
Metcalf Foundation staff, Colette Murphy and Metcalf Fellow, John Stapleton were part of the 11 member council appointed by the government of Ontario to recommend a scope and terms of reference for a review of Ontario’s social assistance system. The report released June 14th outlines a consultation process focusing on six key strategies that would transform the delivery of income security programs, employment supports and related services for low-income working age adults.
The Council recommends the review focus on the following six strategies for reform:
• Building on the approach of the Ontario Child Benefit, develop an expanded range of income and services to be available to all low-income Ontarians.
• Strengthen initiatives such as minimum wage increases, enhanced employment standards, fair employment initiatives and the federal Working Income Tax Benefit to ensure the labour market offers effective pathways out of poverty.
• Replace short term coverage in Ontario Works with more appropriate financial support outside of the social assistance system for those who are temporarily unemployed.
• Re-engineer long-term coverage in Ontario Works as an opportunity planning program to support achieving full labour market potential through skills building, education, training, employment and related support.
• Develop standards for a liveable income and a process to use those standards to assess the adequacy of Ontarians’ incomes.
• Improve income and social supports for those whose reasonable prospects of earning liveable incomes from employment are limited by disability or other circumstances, including a possible new vision for the Ontario Disability Support Program and exploring options for alternative models of financial assistance.
The next step is for the government to appoint Income Security Commissioners and to start the review.
To download the report click here:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/sacouncil/index.aspx
To review some of the media coverage click here:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/823427--welfare-reform-roadmap
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/823055--ontario-should-adopt-bold-vision-for-welfare-reform
< less
Public Policy 201: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations - Cutting Through the Fog: Why is it so hard to make sense of poverty measures?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm more >
This workshop is designed for people working in the non-profit sector to strengthen their understanding of public policy and how non-profits can work with government to influence change.
It is a discussion of the ideas presented in the recently released paper, Cutting Through the Fog: Why is it so hard to make sense of poverty measures? by John Stapleton, Metcalf Innovation Fellow and Richard Shillington, Informetrica Ltd. It is for those interested in digging deeper, and not taking statistics at face value. It highlights how numbers can be accurate and still mislead. It is intended to stimulate thoughtful debate about poverty and related issues. It provides some basic information about what measures are used and how different calculations can portray what is happening very differently.
Specifically this session will provide a snapshot of:
• The role of data in public policy
• The media’s take on the numbers
• A case study of two poverty measure debates: Who are the working poor in Canada? and the National Child Benefit Clawback.
Workshop Animators
Richard Shillington: Richard has conducted research for over 30 years on health, social and economic policy. He has worked variously for governments, the private sector and NGOs locally and internationally. He also provides commentaries for television, radio and newspapers on issues of taxation, human rights and social policy.
Richard's Presentation Slides
James Daw: James is a Business Columnist with the Toronto Star. He writes the Money Talk column. A graduate in Political Science from York University’s Glendon College, Daw has spent the past 32 years covering business and financial news, including insurance. He shared a National Newspaper Award for a three-part analysis of the collapse of Confederation Life Insurance Co.
John Stapleton: John worked for the Ministry of Community and Social Services in the areas of social assistance policy and operations in senior positions for 28 years. Since leaving government, John works as a social policy consultant with governments, think tanks and community groups.
John's Presentation Slides
Location
Canadiana Gallery Room 150
Canadiana Building, 14 Queen's Park Crescent West
School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto
Registration is free, but space is limited. Attendees must pre-register with Heather Dunford at the Metcalf Foundation (416.926.0366 ext. 33 or hdunford@metcalffoundation.com).
A special thank you to the University of Toronto's School of Public Policy and Governance for hosting us. Please see their website for information on events and initiatives that may be of interest to you. www.publicpolicy.utoronto.ca
< less
2009
Developing a Poverty Measure from the Ground Up
Beginning in fall 2007, Daily Bread Food Bank and the Caledon Institute of Social Policy teamed up to develop a "deprivation index." more >
A deprivation index is a list of items considered necessary to have an above poverty-level standard of living but which poor people are unlikely to have. The intent of the index is to distinguish the poor from the non-poor. With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, the Daily Bread Food Bank and the Caledon Institute set out to construct such as list. Using a community-based research approach, working in partnership with people who have lived experience of poverty, an innovative contribution to policy research and development was achieved. The organizations then worked with the Ontario Government and Statistics Canada to refine this list.
The Ontario Deprivation Index was officially announced on December 2, 2009. It found that 12.5% of Ontario children are being raised in a poverty-level standard of living. The Deprivation Index will form one of the cornerstones measuring progress in the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy. This is the first poverty measure to be developed through a unique partnership of a community organization, a policy think tank, a government, and Statistics Canada. It is also the first time a deprivation index has been developed in North America.
Two initial reports outline the research development process.
Developing a Deprivation Index: The Reseach Process
Testing the Validity of the Ontario Deprivation Index
< less
Additional Resources >
Ontario Deprivation Index Backgrounder
This short backgrounder contains a broad overview of the Ontario Deprivation Index. The link takes you to the Ontario Government’s web site.
Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy 2009 Annual Report
This link takes you to the Ontario Government’s first Poverty Reduction Strategy report card.
< less
Related Materials >
Where are you on the Deprivation Index?
parentcentral.ca - Laurie Monsebraaten
December 2, 2009
New measure for the pain of poverty
parentcentral.ca - Laurie Monsebraaten
December 3, 2009
Poverty vs. the deficit
thestar.com - Editorial
December 3, 2009
Defining Necessities
The Globe and Mail
December 4, 2009
< less
Metcalf Emerging Leaders Program Evaluation
In 2005, the Metcalf Foundation and United Way Toronto initiated a new leadership initiative called Emerging Leaders (ELP). more >
The purpose of ELP was to equip a new generation of non-profit leadership that reflects the richness of Toronto's ethno-cultural diversity and is capable of leveraging this asset for the common good.
This initiative was focused on middle managers in the non-profit social services sector, especially those who came from diverse ethno-racial communities. It was designed to capitalize on their skills, knowledge and experiences to augment their capacity to influence and contribute to change.
Delivered by the Schulich School of Business at York University, participants were provided with an intensive formal leadership and management educational opportunity through classroom sessions, retreats and off-site learning activities. The program ran for four years and graduated close to 100 participants.
This evaluation report provides an overview of the program and the impact the program has had professionally and personally on participants, their organizations, along with lessons for the sector.
< less
Feasibility Study for a Social Enterprise Deconstruction Business:
Summary Report
Among our various initiatives, the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation supports inquiry into new ideas that could benefit low-income communities.more >
In 2006, we granted an Innovation Fellowship to Tom Zizys to explore the feasibility of a social enterprise operating as a deconstruction business.
Tom Zizys is a consultant working in the community sector in Toronto. He specializes in labour market studies, employment program design, and community economic development initiatives.
The summary report titled Feasibility Study for a Social Enterprise Deconstruction Business highlights the findings of that inquiry, to share the insights of those learnings and hopefully stimulate sustainable enterprises in this field.
< less
Public Policy 201: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations - Canadian Income Policies After the Crash of 2008
Monday, June 22, 2009, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm more >
The Metcalf Foundation invites you to a public policy primer on Canada’s income security system. This system provides critical support to Canadians living in low income. At the same time, numerous reports have documented its serious shortcomings, particularly with regard to programs targeting working-age adults. The current recession has only served to exacerbate existing problems. This session will examine shortcomings in programs such as EI, but also present alternatives for strengthening the efficacy and reach of Canada’s social safety net in the 21st century.
This workshop is designed for people working in the non-profit sector to strengthen their understanding of public policy and how non-profits can work with government to influence change. It is part of an ongoing series for those in organizations who want to understand the policy process and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange of ideas. This session was first presented at the Canadian Social Forum in Calgary in May 2009.
Specifically this session will provide a snapshot of:
• Canada’s current income security system, how it has evolved, and where we are heading
• Employment Insurance (EI) and proposed changes to strengthen it given the economic downturn
• A new Ontario Housing Benefit and its potential to contribute to economic security in Ontario
Workshop Animators
John Stapleton: John is a public policy expert and Metcalf Fellow with over 28 years of experience in the Ontario Government. John works as a social policy consultant with governments, think tanks, and community groups.
John's Presentation Slides
Grant Bishop: Grant is an economist at TD Bank Financial Group. His chief responsibilities include analysis and forecasting for the Canadian economy. Prior to joining TD Bank Financial Group, Grant served in research roles at the Bank of Canada and the World Bank.
Grant's Presentation Slides
Michael Oliphant: Michael is the Director of Research and Communications at Daily Bread Food Bank and has been with the organization for over six years. His primary responsibilities are research and public policy, and he has been involved in advocacy efforts in the area of poverty for nearly ten years.
Michael's Presentation Slides
A special thank you to the University of Toronto's School of Public Policy and Governance for hosting us. Please see their website for information on events and initiatives that may be of interest to you. www.publicpolicy.utoronto.ca
< less
Public Policy 201: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations - The Role of Legislation in Reducing Poverty in Ontario
As a case study, this session uses the poverty reduction bill that was introduced into Ontario’s legislature on February 25, 2009. more >
Monday, March 23, 2009, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
There has been a significant advancement in the role of legislation in reducing poverty in Ontario in recent weeks:
“Recognizing that the reduction of poverty supports the social, economic, and cultural development in Ontario, the Government of Ontario published on December 4, 2008 Breaking the Cycle – Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, a comprehensive long-term strategy to reduce poverty. The Government’s poverty reduction strategy is guided by the vision of a province where every person has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential, and contribute to participate in a prosperous and healthy Ontario…” Preamble - Bill 152 - An Act Respecting a long-term strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario.
This workshop is designed to strengthen the understanding of people working in the non-profit sector of public policy, and how non-profits can work with government to influence change. It is part of an ongoing series for those in organizations who want to understand the policy process and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange of ideas.
Specifically this session will examine:
• What is the process by which ideas are turned into legislative proposals and
put on the government’s agenda?
• How does a government Bill become law?
• What are the dimensions of effective poverty legislation?
• How does legislation help advance a poverty reduction agenda?
Workshop Animators (in order of appearance):
Adam Dodek: Currently teaching Public Law at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law, former Chief of Staff for Ontario’s Attorney General, has published a number of articles in his areas of research: constitutional law, comparative constitutional law and legal ethics.
Presentation Slides: The Poverty Reduction Act
John Stapleton: Public policy expert and Metcalf Fellow with over 28 years of experience in the Ontario Government.
Presentation Slides: Legislation ‘201’ From Idea to Law
Dr. Vivian LaBrie: Centre for Studies on Poverty and Exclusion in Quebec, key researcher and community leader in the development of Quebec’s 2002 Act to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Presentation Slides: Towards a Quebec without Poverty: A ten year look
< less
Related Materials >
The following two links found on Ontario's legislative website, provide some of the materials that were used in the presentation by John Stapleton:
Pre-Legislative Stages
How a Government Bill Becomes Law
This link relates to Bill 152 itself - the poverty reduction legislation. There are several links on this page to the Bill, its progress, and the legislative debates:
Bill 152, Poverty Reduction Act, 2009
This site provides an audio program of the March 12 hearings at the federal Commons committee hearings on poverty. The latter part of the file contains Minister Matthews’ address to the House of Commons committee while the first part of the file has a guest speaker from the United Kingdom:
ParlVU Event Centre: March 12: Bill 152
< less
Public Policy 101: A Primer for Non-Profit Organizations
What is Public Policy and Why Should We Be Bothered? more >
Public Policy: Who’s Who in Government
How Do We Develop More Effective Public Policy Options?
Governments play a critical role in the health of non-profits and the communities they serve. No matter where you work – a small performing arts company, a neighbourhood agency, or an organization working on the sustainability of land and food – governments have an impact on how you achieve your mission through such things as program funding, legislation, and regulation. In other words, public policy affects all non-profits regardless of mission or current focus.
These workshops are designed to strengthen non-profits’ understanding of public policy and how you can work with government in order to influence change. This series is for all those within your organization who want to understand policy better, want to check their assumptions and would benefit from a forum for candid exchange and discussion on the importance of the public policy process.
To view the slides, click on the red links below.
Session 1
What is Public Policy and Why Should We Be Bothered?
Session 2
Public Policy: Who’s Who in Government.
Session 3
How Do We Develop More Effective Public Policy Options?
< less
2008
The Cost of Poverty: An Analysis of the Economic Cost of Poverty in Ontario
This first ever cost-benefit analysis on poverty reduction in Canada has been released by the Ontario Association of Food Banks. more >
The collaborative report developed with the support of eminent Canadian thinkers will "put a price tag on poverty" in Ontario highlighting the substantial savings and gains the provincial government could achieve if its poverty reduction strategy focuses primarily on attacking roots of poverty.
< less
A Housing Benefit for All Ontario:
One Solution for a Poverty Reduction Strategy
This proposal recommends a new income benefit that will help low-income, working age renters with high shelter-to-income burdens in communities across Ontario. more >
The proposal would add a necessary affordable housing component to Ontario’s highly anticipated Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is expected to be released in December. The proposal was prepared by a coalition of private, public and non-profit housing associations, community organizations, academics and foundations.
The housing benefit would produce a number of positive outcomes, including: increasing housing affordability for many households and therefore preventing hunger and homelessness; providing housing assistance to the working poor, who currently are not eligible for such assistance; helping people get off welfare and into work by making assistance available to those moving into the labour force; and helping low-wage workers live and work in the same community, reducing stress on transit systems and mitigating against potential labour shortages in high cost cities such as Toronto and Ottawa.
< less
Related materials >
Housing Benefit for All Ontario - Summary
Housing Benefit Q & A
Housing Benefit for All Press Release
Toronto Star Article - Benefit for 'hungry' renters urged - Nov 17, 2008.
Toronto Star Article - A new proposal to pay the rent - Nov 17, 2008.
< less
New Polling on Canadians' Perceptions of Poverty
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recently commissioned a poll from Environics Research about Canadians perceptions of poverty. more >
What they found was that the majority of Canadians believe Canada should try to distinguish itself in the world as a country where no one lives in poverty.
The national poll reveals 90% of Canadians say they would be proud if their Premier took the lead in reducing poverty in their province; 88% want Canada to be a leader in poverty reduction; and 77% say a recession is all the more reason to act now.
The poll, funded by Metcalf and the Atkinson Foundation found that amongst other things:
• 90% of Canadians say it’s time for strong leadership to reduce the number of poor people
• 92% say if countries like Great Britain and Sweden can do it, so can Canada
• 86% believe if government took concrete action, poverty could be greatly reduced
The national polling results can be found in Ready for Leadership…
The Ontario polling results can be found in Ontarians waiting for…
< less
Grassroots Fundraising for Community Change
Basic Principles of Grassroots Fundraising. more >
Asking for Money: Five Easy Steps for Getting Past Psychological Barriers.
Major Gift Campaigns OR How to Raise $50,000 in 6 Weeks.
Throughout the first half of 2008 a group of local funders, including the Metcalf Foundation, hosted Kim Klein, an internationally renowned fundraiser trainer and consultant as part of her practitioner fellowship at the Management and Community Development Institute at Concordia University.
For part of each month, Kim was based in Toronto working with grassroots groups and local residents to develop their fundraising capacity. She also facilitated discussions with social service organizations about using fundraising as a community organizing strategy, and with a range of groups about getting over the barrier to asking for money.
To view the full PDF documents click on the red links below:
Basic Principles of Grassroots Fundraising.
Asking for Money: Five Easy Steps for Getting Past Psychological Barriers.
Major Gift Campaigns OR How to Raise $50,000 in 6 Weeks.
< less
Smart Growth and Climate Policy in Ontario
The Pembina Institute, with funding from the Metcalf Foundation, released this document as part of a series of provincial Smart Growth Progress Reports. more >
Smart Growth and Climate Policy in Ontario reports on government progress between September 2006 and February 2008, and has a particular focus on how urban planning policies consider the Ontario government’s climate change targets announced in June 2007. The report also incorporates findings from a Pembina Institute study that measures indicators of sprawl in Ontario’s communities against measures of smart growth and examines gaps in legislation and policy.
< less
For the Greener Good: Steps we can all take to achieve sustainable communities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe
With funding from the Metcalf Foundation, Environmental Defence published this report. more >
The report focuses on changes we need to make in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region of Ontario to steer this region on to a green path. The recommendations included aim to put forward a common basis from which green communities can grow and evolve.
< less
Our Publications >
Quick Links >
Additional Resources >
Quick Links >
News Archive >