Health Providers Against Poverty (HPAP)

Poverty is a key determinant of health. The Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy was announced over a year ago, but there has been little improvement in the social assistance system. Now, the government has indicated they may eliminate the Special Diet Allowance. Despite its shortcomings, tens of thousands of people with health conditions rely on this supplement.

Attached is the open letter we sent to the Minister on Mar 22, 2010 and our press release.

Further endorsements:

Mike Balkwill, on behalf of the Put Food In The Budget Campaign

Peter Clutterbuck, on behalf of the Social Planning Network of Ontario

See related Toronto Star article (Mar 13, 2010):

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/779481--welfare-special-diet-allowance-at-risk

See related Toronto Star Editorial (Mar 16, 2010):

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/780277--editorial-don-t-cut-costs-on-backs-of-sick

See related Toronto Star Editorial (Mar 21, 2010) by AOHC and 25-in-5:

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/781985--a-test-of-ontario-s-appetite-to-fight-for-poverty-reduction

See Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario action alert

http://www.rnao.org/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=3191&SiteNodeID=403&BL_ExpandID=