Province to Help Inuit Affected by Poverty
Local Poverty Reduction Fund Supports Community-Driven Poverty Solutions
Ontario is supporting Tungasuvvingat Inuit in developing community-based solutions to help urban Inuit families and individuals facing poverty.
Through the Local Poverty Reduction Fund, Ontario is investing up to $281,000 over three years to help Tungasuvvingat Inuit develop and evaluate a culturally-appropriate program specifically aimed at reducing poverty among the urban Inuit in Ontario. The organization will bring together existing service providers to help their Inuit clients acquire the necessary skills, education, training and work experience to find stable employment and build a more secure future.
Evidence gathered from this project and others will be used to support poverty reduction programs across the province that have been proven to work and that can expand over time.
Fighting poverty is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan.
QUOTES
“Organizations like Tungasuvvingat Inuit are central to fighting poverty across the province. This funding means that they will be able to develop and improve on community-based solutions for our urban Inuit community.”
–– Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre
“With this funding, Tungasuvvingat Inuit will be able to evaluate its service delivery model and help us learn more about what approaches are making a difference for the urban Inuit in communities across Ontario.”
–– Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier, President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy
“The number of Inuit families in Ontario continues to grow. This funding will highlight the success of integrating mental health and employment and training services in pursuit of poverty reduction. We look forward to sharing our findings not only for Inuit in Ontario but for all Ontarians facing poverty.”
–– Jason LeBlanc, Executive Director, Tungasuvvingat Inuit
QUICK FACTS
- The Local Poverty Reduction Fund is a $50 million, six-year initiative that supports community-driven projects, which measurably improve the lives of those disproportionately affected by poverty, including: women, single parents, people with disabilities, youth, newcomers, visible minorities, seniors and Aboriginal Peoples.
- Organizations have two more opportunities to apply for funding in 2016 and 2017.
LEARN MORE
View a video of Minister Matthews talking about the fund
Realizing Our Potential: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
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