Recommendation 3.1.1

The Committee recommends that the federal government immediately commit to a federal action plan to reduce poverty in Canada that would see, during its first phase, the implementation of the recommendations in this report.

This action plan should incorporate a human rights framework and provide for consultations with the provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal governments and organizations, the public and private sector, and people living in poverty, as needed, to ensure an improvement in the lives of impoverished people.

The action plan should be reviewed every five years and should follow a three-step process: consultation, revision, and reporting to Parliament.

Recommendation 3.2.1

The Committee recommends that at their next meeting, First Ministers start negotiations regarding the creation of a new federal transfer (e.g., a federal poverty reduction fund) to support provincial and territorial poverty reduction initiatives.

Recommendation 3.4.2

The Committee recommends that the federal government review the spending priorities under the Social Development Partnerships Program and expand the client groups served under this program. Spending under this program should be increased and targeted at innovative and effective programs delivered by non-profit organizations whose primary purpose is to strengthen the communities in which they operate and provide services and support to those who need it most. Furthermore, funding for these organizations should be made available on a multi-year basis.

Recommendation 4.1.1

The Committee recommends that the federal government incrementally increase the annual amount of the Canada Child Tax Benefit —including both the base benefit and the National Child Benefit Supplement —to reach a minimum of $5,000 per child within five years’ time.

Recommendation 4.2.6

As a first step in addressing the needs of the poorest of Canadians with severe disabilities, the Committee recommends that the federal government amend the Income Tax Act to make the Disability Tax Credit a refundable credit and ensure that new federal benefits for persons with disabilities are not clawed back from those receiving social assistance payments.

Recommendation 4.3.1

The Committee recommends that the federal government make changes to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), in particular by increasing benefits (especially those to persons living alone), increasing or indexing the basic exemption for employment income, and excluding Canada Pension Plan benefits from the income calculation for the GIS, and that the federal government sytematically verify eligibility of pensioners to the GIS and allow an individual to apply for a pension and the GIS by adding a question to that effect in the tax return.

Recommendation 4.5.1

The Committee recommends that the federal government increase the goods and services tax credit by more than the scheduled increases tied to the Consumer Price Index.

Recommendation 5.2.1

The Committee recommends that the federal government commit to preserving Canada’s existing affordable housing stock, which is at risk with the upcoming expiration of long-term social housing agreements. Current levels of spending on affordable housing must increase, with additional funding provided as needed.

Recommendation 5.2.3

The Committee recommends that the federal government ensure that the measures announced in Budget 2009 for the construction of social housing units for low-income seniors, people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, and areas of the North are promptly delivered. The housing situation of these target groups should be monitored closely, and the need for more funding should be assessed regularly.

Recommendation 6.1.3

The Committee recommends that the federal government take steps to substantially increase adult literacy levels, in particular by increasing funding for the literacy and life skills program and by taking measures to encourage newcomers to learn English or French.

Recommendation 6.1.8

The Committee recommends that the federal government encourage training for persons with mental health problems in particular by providing additional financial support to the Mental Health Commission of Canada to support pilot projects or other research projects relating to training.

Recommendation 6.2.4

The Committee recommends that the federal government move quickly to modernize Part III of the Canada Labour Code. The proposed legislative reforms must provide the requisite balance between the needs of employers and employees as well as adequately capture the changes that have occurred in the Canadian workplace over the last several decades, particularly relating to changes in work time and work arrangements.

Recommendation 6.3.1

The Committee recommends that the federal government immediately adjust and index the income threshold used to determine eligibility for the Family Supplement benefit under the Employment Insurance program.

Recommendation 6.3.3

The Committee recommends that the federal government implement more income support and active labour market measures to assist displaced older workers, especially low-income workers between the ages of 60 and 64, who face the prospect of persistent unemployment.