Committee introduces new anti-poverty strategy

More than 100 people descended on city hall in Ottawa Thursday to learn more about a new strategy designed to help reduce the cycle of poverty in Canadas capital city.

The authors of the City of Ottawas new poverty reduction strategy introduced the new plan Thursday. The plan is made up of 16 recommendations, and is the result of a joint effort between city staff and community groups.

The proposals include expanding and simplifying the application process for the Ontario Disability Support Program, improving access to recreation for low-income people and better integration of immigrants into the citys workforce.

The committee is alsorecommending a mandatory "living wage" for anyone hired by a contractor that does business with the city. The recommended wage is expected to be around $13 an hour.

Everald Robley, a single parent who works for a private company that cleans city hall, said hes struggling to make ends meet.

"Right now, I make $9.75 an hour, and I work full time. If it isnt on sale, I cant afford it," Robley said. "Right now I am facing eviction from my apartment because I cant afford it."

Alex Cullen, the councillor for Bay Ward, said city employees earn a living wage, but he said some cleaners and cafeteria staff work for contractorsthat pay closer to minimum wage.

"What wed be looking at is making sure that contractors arent exploiting people who are living in poverty, making sure that they pay an adequate wage so that they can at least meet the poverty line," Cullen said.