Energy poverty and Energy poverty and Ontario’s Ontario’s Poverty Poverty Reduction Strategy Reduction Strategy Michael Shapcott Michael Shapcott Director of Community Engagement Director of Community Engagement The Wellesley Institute The Wellesley Institute LIEN annual conference LIEN annual conference June 10, 2008 June 10, 2008
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Energy poverty and Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Michael Shapcott Director of Community Engagement The Wellesley Institute LIEN annual conference.
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Energy poverty and Energy poverty and Ontario’sOntario’s Poverty Poverty Reduction StrategyReduction Strategy
Energy poverty and Energy poverty and Ontario’sOntario’s Poverty Poverty Reduction StrategyReduction Strategy
Michael ShapcottMichael ShapcottDirector of Community EngagementDirector of Community Engagement
Ontario’s poverty reduction promise:• Launched during the 2007 provincial election• Cabinet committee chaired by Minister Deb Matthewso doesn’t include energy minister…
• 2008 Ontario budget included minimal new fundingo modest dental care, student nutrition, housing repair
• Province has launched consultation process…
Ontario government web site:http://www.growingstronger.ca/en/index.html
25-in-5 Network for Poverty Reduction:http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/25in5/new.html
Critical concerns:
One - definitional confusiono Absolute measures, relative
measures, deprivation indicators
o “How are we going to measure poverty? It's way more than just an income measure.” – Minister Matthews
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Critical concerns:
Two - no commitment for new investmentso “We were elected on a number of planks... One was not to raise taxes. And one was not to run a deficit.” – Minister Matthewso Public investment measures???
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Critical concerns:
Three - energy poverty – not yet on provincial agendao LIEN’s low-income energy conservation and assistance program (a great idea since 2005!)
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Building a comprehensive energy poverty reduction plan for Ontario:
1.Income and income inequality are critical2. Structured energy rates are key priority3. Low-income energy conservation programs are a practical necessity4. Emergency energy assistance is key short-term relief measure
“Joined up” policy:
Economic, social, fiscal, environmental policies need to be “joined up”:o To avoid policy conflicts and penalties for low-income household (avoid silly policy mistakes)o To create synergies and leverage benefits (create good, efficient policies)
Taking action:
Get informed
Get engaged in Ontario PRS
Work with LIEN on comprehensive energy poverty plan for Ontario