With an estimated 20 per cent of children in St. Thomas and Elgin living in low-income households, the June provincial election is an opportunity to vote to improve lives in the community.
Find out where the three registered candidates stand on food and income security and housing stability at an all-candidates forum, Tuesday May 3.
It is hosted by the Elgin St. Thomas Coalition to End Poverty which advises 20 per cent of the children the region are living in low-income households.
The coalition also notes the vacancy rate for affordable apartments in St. Thomas for low-income families is virtually zero.
Another disturbing fact is 14 per cent of renter households pay at least 50 per cent of income on housing, causing severe affordability issues.
Coalition co-chair Brian Flint explains they are a collaborative group of local organizations, decision makers and community members “dedicated to fulfilling our vision, ‘No one in Elgin St. Thomas lives in poverty.'”
The all-candidates forum runs from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the St. Thomas Public Library. Moderated by the myFM news team featuring Kennedy Freeman and Ian McCallum, the forum will include a Q&A segment from the audience.
Find out more about the coalition at https://povertycoalition.ca/
Written by Ian McCallum
