Colour of Poverty Campaign is trying to ensure the Ontario government's poverty reduction strategy begins to address the reality that people of colour are disproportionately living in poverty in comparison to other groups and face specific barriers because of issues like discrimination and racism. Read about their demands below and the attached Shared Framework for Action:

Dear Colour of Poverty Network Members and Supporters

May 2008

As you know, the Provincial Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction has begun its consultation process. The approach adopted by the Committee would appear to be to avoid addressing the particularly harsh experiences of historically and dispropor-tionately disadvantaged groups & communities - racialized persons, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers or lone-parent families - and to conduct closed door invitation only sessions - which will exclude most members of the concerned public.

It is important for members of racialized communities as well as other marginalized groups to find a way to be most meaningfully engaged in this critical discussion - and to try to make sure that the realities and issues impacting our communities are on the table.

In order to help mobilize and support members of our communities to best participate in this process, *Colour of Poverty* has created a *Shared Framework for Action.*

The *Shared Framework for Action* is a short priority list of the policies and measures as put forward by members of the various racialized groups and individuals who were able to take part in our over 30 local workshops and neighbourhood conversations - held in communities across the province over the past 6 months - which culminated in the *Colour of Poverty Provincial Forum* held on April 28-29, 2008.

This *Shared Framework for Action* focuses on the specific measures that participants felt would best address & redress the realities & the particular challenges characteristic of racialized poverty in Ontario. We are calling upon all community groups and individuals concerned about these issues to engage in one or more of the following *ACTIONS* -

1. Endorse the **Colour of Poverty Shared Framework for Action
2. Write to your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) introducing them to, and getting their support for the Shared Framework for Action
3. Ask for a meeting with your MPP – as well as your local media contacts - to more fully introduce, share and discuss the Shared Framework for Action
4. Organize meetings within your local groups and communities to discuss the local and provincial application of the Shared Framework for Action
5. Attend the consultation meetings of the Cabinet Committee and help us to consistently and coherently put forward the Shared Framework for Action

HURRY! The Cabinet consultation process ends soon. We need to act now & act together !!

*For more about the Cabinet consultations - www.Ontario.ca/GrowingStronger