New budget will tackle child poverty, Premier says

from The Globe and Mail

McGuinty also wants to address climate change in a way that helps the economy

KAREN HOWLETT

The provincial budget will include innovative measures that address child poverty, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says.

"It's no longer just a moral imperative to ensure that the poor find opportunity and grow strong," he said last night at a Liberal Party fundraiser. "At the beginning of the 21st century in a global economy, it's become an economic necessity."

Mr. McGuinty told reporters at the $800-a-plate annual Heritage Dinner that the more he travels the world, the more he realizes that hungry middle classes are growing amid emerging economic powerhouses.

In Ontario, he said, "We've had an unwritten rule under previous generations of governments, which essentially said if 20 per cent of the kids are arriving at school not ready to learn and if 30 per cent of our young people fail to graduate from high school, those are acceptable losses. We can't do that any more."

In his speech, Mr. McGuinty hinted that his campaign for October's provincial election will focus on two key themes: poverty and the environment.

"We're focusing next on our two most precious resources," he said. "The children we raise, and the environment we share."

Mr. McGuinty said that in the weeks ahead, his government will act to address the reasons why nearly one million Ontario children are growing up poor. He said he is not talking about making poverty a little more bearable and comfortable, but rather about helping families move off the welfare rolls and giving them more access to opportunities.

"We want to say to the working poor: we know how hard it is to make ends meet, and we want to shorten the distance between getting by . . . and getting ahead.

Mr. McGuinty provided few details in his speech. But funds for some of the measures aimed at addressing poverty are expected to be unveiled in the provincial budget on March 22.

He also reiterated his goal to make the environment a vehicle for economic growth. "You can be green, and grow, at the same time," he said. "But those who lead the fight can reap huge economic benefits."

He said his government will do its part in "facing down" the challenge of climate change in a way that is good for the economy.

The Liberals began talking publicly about the need to do more for the province's poorest citizens last month after losing a by-election in a traditionally Liberal stronghold. A New Democrat won the northwest Toronto riding of York South-Weston, one of the province's poorest, by campaigning to promote a minimum-wage increase to $10 an hour from $8. The very next day, Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara told reporters that "poverty is my issue."

The Liberal Party's flagship fundraising event was attended by several ministers in Mr. McGuinty's cabinet and corporate and municipal leaders.

Guests dined on ginger-and-black-pepper-seed-crusted filet of Atlantic salmon accompanied by a medley of spring baby vegetables, and mingled with Mr. McGuinty and many of his cabinet and caucus colleagues at the cavernous Metro Toronto Convention Centre. With about 2,600 tickets sold, the party raised just over $2-million.