Middlesex-London Health Unit

Recommendation
It is recommended:

1. That the Board of Health request the Premier of Ontario to increase social assistance benefit rates so that the Basic Allowance includes a nutrition allowance which meets daily nutritional needs as determined annually by the cost of the Nutritious Food Basket, and that the remainder of the Basic Allowance be set to enable recipients to afford other basic needs including transportation, clothing, and personal care items; and further
2. That the Board of Health request the Premier of Ontario to publish annually the details of current social assistance rate components and how they are determined, including the nutrition allowance portion of the Basic Allowance; and further
3. That the Board of Health request the Premier of Ontario to increase the provincial minimum wage to allow low income workers to purchase adequate nutritious food, as well as shelter and other basic needs; and further
4. That the Board of Health request the Minister of Health Promotion to update the Nutritious Food Basket costing tool, based on the revised Canada�s Food Guide to Healthy Eating; and further
5. That the Board Report re Food Security Advocacy be forwarded for review and action to London City Council, Middlesex County Council, local MPs and MPPs, and appropriate community agencies.

Background
Poverty is an abstract concept to define. In Canada, there is no official poverty line. Statistics Canada has relative measures of low income, estimating the number of individuals and families who have significantly less income than other Canadians, or must spend significantly more of their income in order to meet basic needs such as shelter, food and childcare.

Poverty does not mean only a lack of income. Poverty almost always involves social exclusion. When people are unable to meet their basic needs, they also cannot afford the simple activities many of us take for granted such as inviting family or friends for dinner on occasion, purchasing gifts for their children to take to a birthday party, or allowing children to participate in recreational activities outside the classroom. This isolation and the resulting social exclusion can lead to further problems with poor health, depression, and dysfunction. As a result, poverty quickly deprives people of their dignity, confidence, hope, and pride. This is compounded when they need to turn to social assistance for financial support.

Who is Affected by Poverty?
The poverty rates among Canadians in 2004, using Statistics Canada pre-tax Low Income Cut-Offs, included:

From 1999 through 2004, 33% of Canadians lived in poverty for at least one year. What is unexpected is most Canadians living in poverty are employed, many of them full-time.

The Challenge with Social Assistance
As is seen from Report No. 018-07, Nutritious Food Basket 2006, there is a discrepancy between the cost of food and the income that individuals and families on Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) receive. The funding provided by social assistance for basic needs and shelter is never sufficient to allow for other regular necessary expenses such as food, hygienic products (laundry detergent, toothpaste, tampons, pads, deodorant etc.). Social assistance has not been indexed to compete with the cost of living. As a result, individuals and families on social assistance have actually been receiving less funding over the years, comparatively speaking.

It is expected that the cost of fuel, rent, clothing, fees, and food will continue to rise. What is not expected is that the solution to the disparity between those who can afford a healthy diet and those who cannot, is less expensive food.

Need For Nutrition Allowance and Increased Minimum Wage
As advocates of food security for all, it is necessary to avoid the "easy way out" by focusing on the rising cost of food as an end in itself. What will be more effective is ensuring that people have adequate incomes to afford their basic needs, that they have access to healthy, local foods in their communities, and that they have the skills and resources to prepare these foods for themselves.

Recently, the Toronto Board of Health advocated for a "nutrition allowance" to help the poor have access to healthy foods. The nutrition allowance could be built into the existing basic allowance in social assistance. That is, the revised basic allowance would provide funds for shelter, food and basic utilities. Additionally, the Toronto Board of Health is lobbying the provincial government to increase the minimum wage to $10.00 per hour. Ontario�s minimum wage is slated to be raised to $8.00 per hour as of February 1, 2007.

It is well documented that individuals who realize higher levels of education experience better housing, employment opportunities, improved work environment, improved access to health care services and as a result, better overall health. The social and economic environments in which people live are crucial in terms of determining their overall lifestyles. Consequently, those at the lower end of the socio-economic scale are more likely to report poor health and a multitude of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and elevated blood pressure. What makes sense is to increase social assistance and minimum wage so that low-income households have sufficient funds not just to live, but to live a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, increasing and improving access to affordable housing diverts household dollars from rent back into the food budget.

The Hunger Relief Action Coalition, of which Ms. Heather Thomas, Public Health Dietitian on the Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Team is a key partner, and is well positioned to champion this advocacy role locally. This group is comprised of representatives from social service agencies, the Health Unit, Brescia University College, and community members who access food banks and meal services in London. This coalition has been operational since 1998. On February 6, 2007 a strategic planning session hosted by London Homeless Coalition is planned.

This report was prepared by Ms. Heather Thomas, Public Health Dietitian.

Graham L. Pollett, MD, FRCPC
Medical Officer of Health

This report addresses the following requirement(s) of the Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines: Chronic Disease Prevention Objective 8 a., 8 b., 8 c., and 8 d. and MLHU 2004 Area of Focus designed to service vulnerable populations for whom barriers exist.