North Hastings Community Trust

By the middle of 2011, Hydro One expects to have all of its clients on the new Time of Use billing. The program charges different prices for hydro throughout the day and based on the time of year. Peak hours are the times when hydro is most in demand and the rate is 9.9 cents per kWh. Mid-peak times are 8.1 cents and off-peak times are 5.5 cents. The intention is for consumers to adjust their usage wherever possible in order to save money on each bill, however, most families are reporting an increase to their monthly hydro bills as a direct result of this new billing style.

We also recently saw an increase in the debt retirement section of our monthly bills, which was not completely off-set by the new Clean Energy Benefit, which provides up to 10% off the total charges. Thankfully, as we recently mentioned in a previous blog post the new LEAP program has also been launched to offer some relief to low-income consumers.

One of the factors we are not sure was considered prior to switching to Time of Use billing is that many low-income consumers work shifts, weekends and evenings making it that much more difficult for them to simply adjust their usage. Some people work multiple jobs just to make ends meet leaving them little ability to do their laundry for example when it is least expensive. Other individuals we have heard from live in shared housing and may only have access to these major appliances for their personal use on certain days or during specific times only, for example, not after 11pm, which may be when they are getting home from work.

Over the next month there are quite a few upcoming events that the North Hastings Community Trust is involved in or planning themselves. These events all either directly or indirectly help to fund the Trust to provide emergency financial assistance to the residents of this community.

Saturday February 5th
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
United Way Warehouse Sale

Join us at the annual North Hastings Warehouse Sale in support of the United Way of Quinte. This cash only event offers discounted household items such as laundry detergent, other cleaning supplies and much more. You save 50% off of the normal retail prices and all of the money raised goes directly to the United Way of Quinte, which supports 5 local non-profit agencies. In addition to NHCT the United Way also supports; Maggie's Resource Centre, Bancroft Community Transit, North Hastings Children's Services and Families First. Admission is $1.

Friday February 18th
11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Soup of the Day for United Way

Join us at the third annual Soup of the Day for United Way fundraising event. Come out to sample a variety of homemade and gourmet soups, desserts and more all for $5. Cost includes a bread roll and coffee/tea. You get to sample as many soups as your stomach can handle and all funds raised are donated back to the United Way of Quinte, which supports 5 local non-profit agencies. In addition to NHCT the United Way also supports; Maggie's Resource Centre, Bancroft Community Transit, North Hastings Children's Services and Families First. Admission is $5 per person.

March 7th at 9:00 am to March 11th at 12:00 pm
Online Silent Auction for NHCT

Participate in our first Online Silent Auction by bidding on fabulous items that have been donated by local businesses and organizations. You can place your bids via e-mail and compete to win your favourite items. All funds raised will directly support the North Hastings Community Trust in our anti-poverty work. There is no up-front cost to attend this event and you can participate from anywhere you have access to a computer with the internet, anytime the auction is open. We are currently accepting donations of product, services and gift certificates; if you would like to make a donation please contact our Program Coordinator at nhcommunitytrust@gmail.com or 613-339-1100.

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is now available in North Hastings. This is great news for the community, especially for low-income families who are struggling to keep up with their monthly bills. The program was created by the Ontario Energy Board with the support of a variety of other agencies and utilities companies including; Hydro One Networks Inc., the Low Income Energy Network (LIEN), and the Ministry of Energy. The program provides emergency financial assistance to qualified applicants in order to cover arrears charges and help avoid hydro disconnection.

In order for a client to qualify for LEAP they must be an existing customer of one of the utilities providers participating in the program. In North Hastings, this is Hydro One Networks Inc. The client must reside at the address for which there are arrears, previous accounts cannot be paid under this program. Only the arrears amount of the bill will be considered for payment, not the entire amount including current usage. Finally, clients must meet low-income standards as set by LICO (Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-Off), considering factors such as family and community size. Applicants can only recieve assistance through this program once per year to a maximum of $500.

For more information on the program or to apply; please contact the North Hastings Community Trust at 613-339-1100 or nhcommunitytrust@gmail.com.

Media Release from the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction

The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction welcomes the news that Ontario’s
long awaited Social Assistance review will start in January and be led by two very able
commissioners: Frances Lankin and Dr. Munir Sheikh.

“We’re very pleased with the broad terms of reference for this review. It will provide
recommendations not only on how to transform social assistance but on how it should connect to
other income security programs that many of us need to rely on at some point in our lives, such
as disability support programs and Employment Insurance,” said Jacquie Maund, Coordinator of
Ontario Campaign 2000.

“This is the right thing to do for poverty reduction and for a strong Ontario economy. We want
everyone to be able to achieve their full potential to contribute to our economy and society. Our
income security system needs to be re-equipped to respond to economic pressures and support
people through rough times – it’s not doing that now. ”

The broad terms of reference for the review of social assistance show that the Ontario
government listened to the advice of the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council. They
reflect the call for revamped income security programs to ensure that people receiving social
assistance can live in dignity and be provided the supports and opportunities they need to move
into the workforce if they are able to work.

“We are pleased with the choice of commissioners, Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh. These are
people with integrity who know the value of listening to the community and developing policy
recommendations based on solid evidence. We encourage them to hear directly from people who
are on the Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Programs about the changes needed,”
said Mike Creek, Co- Chair of 25 in 5.

This review will start in January and continue for 18 months. It will be supported by
a commission of civil servants and poverty advisors. “An 18 month review gives the
commissioners time to do the job right – but that should not stop the government from taking
interim measures to respond to people’s immediate needs. People across Ontario are struggling
now to survive on extremely low social assistance rates. A single person receives only $592/
month. The 25 in 5 Network is calling for an immediate increase of $100 a month for adults
on social assistance,” said Jacquie Maund. “We also urge the Government to move forward on
creating an Ontario Housing Benefit.”

Government also announced that it is looking to the 2008 Special Diets Expert Review Panel’s
report to improve the Special Diet allowance Program as an interim measure until the Social
Assistance Review is complete.

“We see the Government’s decision to include the Special Diet Allowance in the broader Social
Assistance Review as a positive step,” says Mike Creek.

The 25 in 5 Network for Poverty Reduction is a coalition that is endorsed by 1500 groups and
individuals from across Ontario committed to a strong and effective Ontario poverty reduction
plan.

www.25in5.ca

Announcement via e-mail mailing list.

Shortly after ACORN Canada’s founding in 2004, we released a series of reports that detailed the Payday Lending industry’s ripoffs and abuse of low and moderate income families. As a result of our research, and years long organizing campaign we’ve now seen provinces across Canada bring in regulations on this rogue industry that have curbed abuses and reduced costs for consumers.

Earlier today we released a new report looking at another fringe financial product with exorbitant costs; remittances from Canada to the developing world.  This is an issue that impacts many Canadians, but especially new Canadians who are struggling to support families abroad.

ACORN Canada leader Pascal Apuwa is one such individual:

"I sent $50.00 to my family in Korogocho (in  Kenyan)  through Western Union,  and I was charged a flat rate of $16.00 plus the difference in the exchange rate.   The $50.00 was supposed to give around $4100.00 KS according to the official exchange rate, but the amount received by my family was only $2610.00 KS.   This money goes to support  my relatives, but the remittances charges are too high for anyone who sends money.”

Major Canadian banks like TD, and Scotiabank have joined more well known remittance outfits like Western Union and Moneygram at the heart of a global network that is estimated by the World Bank to be a $400 Billion global industry.  

It’s time for these financial behemoths and regulators in Ottawa to bring in some commonsense policies to reduce the costs of remittances and leave more money in the hard of hardworking Canadians and their families abroad.

You can read the full report at: http://bit.ly/remitreport