Help tell the Ontario government they need to invest more in community services programs in its 2023 budget

With the current high inflation, not enough affordable housing, and the number of people experiencing mental health challenges rising, the work of community care organizations, such as WoodGreen, in Toronto is more vital than ever.

 

Right now, the Ontario government is starting to plan its budget for its next fiscal year. This is our chance to tell the government that more investment is critically needed to support vulnerable residents in securing employment, housing, and wrap-around support services.

 

In our pre-budget submission, WoodGreen has made recommendations to address some of the most critical issues in our community and show how, with further investment, our services can help even more people to thrive. We need your help to tell the Ontario government that an investment in community care now is an investment in our province’s future.

 

Now is the time to make our voices heard. Let the government know that further investment towards employment and financial empowerment programs, community care programs and community-based mental health and addictions services are important to you by sending a letter.

 

Your letter will be sent to Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, and your local MPP.

 

Dear MPP Name,

As Ontarians struggle with access to affordable housing, labour shortages, inadequate supports for community care, and community mental health and addictions made even more pronounced due to the pandemic, I am writing you, our local Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Name, to encourage you to support further investment towards employment and financial empowerment programs, community care programs and community-based mental health and addictions services. Community sector investment is critical to the health and wellbeing of Ontarians.

This budget cycle is a chance to support thousands of vulnerable residents by ensuring they can secure employment, housing and wrap around support services. WoodGreen Community Services has made recommendations to address these critical issues. I support WoodGreen’s call for the Ontario government to:

  1. Continue to provide funding towards local employment and financial empowerment programs to help the most challenged job seekers improve their employability.
  2. Provide additional investment for community care services, including implementation of assisted living care models such as cluster care, and further funding towards community support services and community health human resources (e.g. personal support workers).
  3. Provide additional investment to expand community mental health and addictions services.
  4. Support women’s economic empowerment and pathways to employment through partnership with WoodGreen Community Services’ Homeward Bound program.
  5. Sustain supportive and community housing by:
    1. providing funds to municipal housing programs;
    2. increasing the inclusionary zoning affordability period and;
    3. streamlining processes for supportive housing funds and subsidies.

We hope you will take these recommendations into consideration. For further details you can see WoodGreen Community Services submission here.

Sincerely,

Name

Thank you for your submission.

Will you consider sharing this page to others?

Share on LinkedIn

Budget Consultation Submission 2023

WoodGreen has submitted recommendations to the government to address some of the most critical issues in our community and show how, with further investment, our services can help even more people to thrive.

Learn more here

Need Help?

Contact information

Eric Mariglia

(437) 236-3417
emariglia@woodgreen.org