Ontario First Nations Poverty Index Project

Transcription

1 Ontario First Nations Poverty Index Project Ontario First Nations Health Forum Workshop Presentation Feb. 24, 2016

2 This presentation will cover: 2 Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) where did it come from What does the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy do How are Ontario First Nations involved or impacted (research, dialogue) What are the next steps for Ontario First Nations involvement Thoughts? Comments regarding what poverty means in the context of Ontario First Nation communities and possible indicators for measuring poverty in the communities

3 Where did the Poverty Reduction Strategy come from? 3 Dec Ontario launched the Poverty Reduction Strategy Bill 152, Poverty Reduction Act (2009, Legislative Assembly) commits to build supports for and eliminate barriers to everyone s full participation in Ontario s economy and society, especially those who face discrimination on the grounds of their race, ancestry, citizenship etc. The Act notes that for Aboriginal peoples, racialized groups, single mothers, women, immigrants and people with disabilities, the risk of poverty is higher The PRS was first rolled out in ; Phase 2 is from

4 What does the Ontario PRS do? 4 Breaking the Cycle ( ) focus: breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty through supports for children PRS Phase 2: Realizing Our Potential ( ) has 4 pillars: Recommitment to breaking the cycle of poverty for children and youth Moving toward employment and income security for vulnerable groups (target populations include First Nations, Métis, Inuit, urban Aboriginal) Ending homelessness Using evidence to measure success through 11 poverty indicators: Birth rates; school readiness; educational progress; high school graduation rates; low income measure (LIM50); depth of poverty (LIM40); Ontario housing measure; those not in education, employment or training; long-term unemployment; poverty rates of vulnerable populations; and homelessness

5 How are Ontario First Nations involved? 5 MAA approached COO in May, 2015 to begin discussions on the potential of a project with Ontario First Nations MAA identified that there are data gaps related to First Nations It was noted that the list of 11 indicators above do not necessarily reflect or adequately measure First Nations on-reserve poverty, thus are not helpful in finding solutions that could prevent or transition First Nations out of poverty Definitions and indicators specific to First Nations on-reserve poverty need to be developed

6 First Nations Poverty Index Project 6 First Nations Poverty Index Project is a collaborative approach between MAA and COO Purpose: to identify a working definition of First Nations onreserve poverty to inform development of indicators for better understanding issues that are symptomatic of poverty-level standards of living in OFN communities Joint Working Group: First meeting in Dec JWG includes COO Health Research; Project Coordinator, HCU Data Governance Committee Rep; ICES, Ontario Poverty Reduction Office and MAA TOR; Workplan developed; literature review drafted to help inform a working definition of First Nations on-reserve poverty

7 What are the Next Steps? 7 FOCUS GROUPS: 2 First Nations focus group sessions are being held; March 1 in Toronto and March 3 in Thunder Bay Social, Health, Education and Justice Directors were informed in January and requested to share the invitation with First Nations Input from the focus groups will help to shape First Nations poverty indicators for measuring and evaluating progress under the Ontario PRS and to advocate for policy and program improvements to help address, reduce and eliminate poverty in Ontario First Nation communities FINAL REPORT: A final project report by end of will integrate all findings and input to shape the indicators and working definition

8 Focus Groups 8 Process: Dialogue with participants, allowing time for individual reflection Two overarching questions to be answered: What are the barriers to reducing poverty in your community? What is working well in your community? Participants will be asked to talk about: What poverty means to them? How would they know how community members are doing (indicators)? What would it look like to have a community where everyone is doing well? What things in their community are helping/not helping people do well?

9 Circle of Poverty, Circle of Abundance 9 Focus group agenda is called Circle of Poverty, Circle of Abundance Idea: to reflect the two overarching questions in a culturally acceptable way, that puts not only poverty but also abundance on the map for Ontario First Nations and gives the sense that moving from poverty to abundance is possible Limitations: little time for the focus group process to reach communities (invitation went out late January; communities are approaching FY end); few communities will be represented only a starting point It is hoped that this project will continue beyond

10 Thoughts, Comments? 10 On the province s 11 poverty indicators? Birth rates / School readiness / Educational progress / High school graduation rates / Low income measure (LIM50) /Depth of poverty (LIM40) / Ontario housing measure / Those not in education, employment or training/ Long-term unemployment / Poverty rates of vulnerable populations / and Homelessness On possible First Nations on-reserve poverty indicators? On a possible First Nations working definition of poverty? On next steps? Miigwetch