Local anti poverty groups thrilled that the Provincial Government will move forward with its Poverty Reduction plan, despite the souring economy.
The Executive Director of the Bruce Grey United Way Francesca Dobbyn says what is positive about the Governments recent announcement is that it sets targets, timelines and accountability.
The plan includes a commitment to reduce poverty in Ontario by 25 per cent in the next five years.
Dobbyn says the plan also pledges required investments in the economy over the next five years to reach that goal.
She says local groups in Grey Bruce will continue to push for the Province to deal with poverty in rural areas and design programs that take into account the special and different needs of the rural poor.
Dobbyn says with the downturn in the economy and more and more job losses, it may be very difficult to try and reduce poverty by 25 per cent in five years.
However she says if they can maintain the status quo over the next five years and not increase the poverty levels, the program will be a success.
