Mississauga, December 8, 2008: “The Ontario Government’s plan to reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over the next five years is a step in the right direction,” says Evelyn Myrie, Director of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, referring to the recently released provincial government’s anti-poverty strategy. 

In Peel, 48% of new immigrant children under the age of 6 live in poverty. “It is our moral and economic imperative to reduce child poverty,” Myrie says.

Referring to the mandate of the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, Myrie says, “The reduction of the child poverty will enhance the integration and well-being of the newcomers in the Peel community.”      

Poverty is a serious problem in Peel. In 2006, 15% of Peel’s population was living below the low-income cut-off, up from 11.5% in 2001.

Some of the highlights on Poverty in Peel:

• Twenty per cent of children below the age of 5 are living in low-income, up from 14% in 2001.
• The unemployment rate for recent immigrants with university certificates, diplomas or degrees is 10 per cent compared with 3 per cent for the total population
• The current wait list for social housing in Peel is 21 years, the longest wait in the province   

“As a member of the Peel Poverty Strategy Committee, we would continue working with our partners including the provincial government to find out ways that can contribute to the reduction of poverty in the region. The real test of the strategy would be achieving the target,” Myrie continued.

With funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada coupled with strategic leadership from United Way of Peel and the Region of Peel, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group is a unique initiative designed to champion a coordinated and collaborative strategy for the successful integration of newcomers in the economy and community of Peel, providing prosperity for all and establishing a centre of excellence that will provide a best practice model for other regions across Canada.                                                                      -30-

For further information or to arrange an interview with Evelyn Myrie, Director, Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, please contact:

Nikesh Amit

Communications Specialist

Peel Newcomer Strategy Group

165 Dundas Street West, Suite # 501

Mississauga, ON L5B 2N6Tel: 905-602-3650, Ext. 2464

Fax: 905-896-8048

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.peelnewcomer.org