RESOLUTION

Title: Living Income

Original Source: Church in Society Committee

Conference Action:

Financial implications:  letter writing, materials in Conference mailing

Source of funding: Conference budget

Staffing implications: letter writing, coordinate Justice for Workers campaign materials for Conference mailing

Volunteer implications:  endorse the Justice for Workers campaign

Implications: letter writing and promotion at congregational level

MOTION by Kevin Logie/Barry Rieder that this xxth annual meeting of Toronto Conference of The United Church of Canada
•Endorse the Justice for Workers campaign which includes increasing minimum wage to at least the poverty line of $10 per hour;
•Encourage congregations and missions in Toronto Conference to endorse the Justice for Workers campaign.

That the Toronto Conference of The United Church of Canada call upon the provincial and federal governments to act immediately to adjust and address levels of income for the people we impoverish in our midst by
•Increasing minimum wage to at least the poverty line of $10 per hour;
•Providing supports to small businesses implementing the increase in minimum wage;
•Adjusting social assistance rates accordingly so that the increased cost of living is adequately reflected.
•Ceasing the practice of claw backs of assistance from one level of government by another level of government.

RATIONALE AND FAITH BASE

As a people of faith and as followers of Christ we know of Christ's leading in being a voice with and for the voiceless.

To be present with Jesus is to be present with those we impoverish.

"Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.  Matthew 25:35-36

"Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land.'" Deuteronomy 15:11

Many of our members are very much involved in charitable works through food banks, Out of the Cold programmes, etc.  With this involvement and as witnesses to the increased need for such emergency services it is evident that the root causes remain to be addressed. Clearly the cause is a lack of living income, for those on the low end of the economic spectrum.

Our society faces an increasing split between the rich and poor. Growing inequities in our society need to be addressed and countered through the assurance of a living income for all in our society of plenty. This can only occur through the collective efforts of our governments, business, and civil society.

The minimum wage in Ontario has been frozen at $6.85 since 1995, despite increases in average rents of 23% and a 9% increase in the cost of food and clothing.  A minimum wage should provide people with a standard of living for securing housing, food and clothing.

The statistics Canada low income cut off or poverty line is $18,371 for a single person living in a big city and it would require a person working full time at a regular 35 hour job at least $10 to reach the poverty line

Low wages and assistance rates are a big reason that poverty is on the rise; over 1 million workers in Ontario work at wages below the poverty level with 32% of people of colour making less than $10 per hour, 38% of women of colour earn poverty wages and 31% of all women make less than $10 per hour.

Social Assistance rates were cut 20% in 1995 and have not been changed since. Clearly the shelter allowance is totally inadequate (e.g. a single parent with two children receives a maximum benefit of $1086 which consists of $544 for shelter and $532 for basic needs. The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Toronto is $1055 leaving $31 to buy groceries, clothes for kids, hydro and utilities, school expenses, etc.)

Claw back clauses are applied to social Assistance (e.g. Federal child benefit is subtracted from social assistance received from the province, money received through part time employment or for educational advancement is subtracted from support received.) All of this further works against the attainment of a living income for thousands of people in the province of Ontario.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25 (proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948) states:
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being for himself [sic] and his [sic] family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his [sic] control.