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Ministry of Community and Social Services

McGuinty Government Makes Long-term Funding Investment in Community Social Services Agencies


    Agencies To Receive $20 Million Funding Boost Over The Next Three Years

    AJAX, ON, July 24 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is investing more than
$20 million more over the next three years to bolster community social
services organizations.
    "This funding will help local organizations maintain and strengthen
services and programs for people in need," said Minister of Community and
Social Services Madeleine Meilleur. "By investing in social services, we are
investing in stronger, more inclusive communities for all Ontarians."
    This funding boost will allow community social services organizations to
provide:
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        -  Shelter and counselling services for women and their children
           fleeing domestic violence
        -  Interpreters and intervenors for people who are deaf, deafened or
           hard-of-hearing, and for those who are deafblind
        -  Homelessness prevention programs and hostels for medically fragile
           or hard-to-house individuals.
    >>

    "It is crucial that women receive the necessary supports to allow them to
escape violent situations," said Minister Responsible for Women's Issues
Sandra Pupatello. "This increased funding will help women leave these terrible
situations and allow them to rebuild their lives."
    The government is also providing a two per cent increase to base budgets
for these programs effective April 2007. In addition, $1.7 million will be
available for costs that may include wage increases, legal obligations or
other cost of living increases.
    The minister was joined for the announcement by Pickering/Ajax/Uxbridge
MPP Wayne Arthurs at the Ajax-Pickering Women's Centre in Ajax.
    "Growing communities like Ajax and Pickering are always being challenged
to meet the diverse needs of their communities," said Arthurs. "Additional
provincial support for local organizations is always welcome and much needed."
    This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have
achieved results in providing strong community programs and services to
vulnerable people. In addition, the government has:
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        -  Created a new Ontario Child Benefit to help nearly 1.3 million
           children in low-income families
        -  Eliminated barriers to employment for people on social assistance
           by providing straightforward incentives and extra support to help
           them find and keep jobs
        -  Increased Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works
           rates by two per cent - a seven per cent increase since 2003.
    >>

    "I am confident that strong investments such as this will help to ensure
that when people have nowhere else to turn, there are community resources
there to help them get back on their feet again," said Meilleur. "We have
accomplished so much in the last four years, and I am confident that the
foundation we have established for a system of strong community social
services and programs will help to maintain and strengthen Ontario communities
into the future."

    Disponible en français

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                             www.mcss.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Marc Despatie, Minister's Office, (416)
325-5219; John Letherby, Communications and Marketing Branch, (416) 325-5187

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