April 25, 2019 VIA: Electronic Mail ([email protected])

Honourable Lisa MacLeod Minister of Children, Community and Social Services 80 Grosvenor Street Hepburn Block 6th Floor Toronto, ON M7A 2C4

Dear Minister MacLeod:

RE: Endorsement of The Dietitians in Public Health letter on Bill 60 The Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Board of Health passed the following motion at its April 24, 2019 meeting: THAT the KFL&A Board of Health endorse the letter by The Ontario Dietitians in Public Health, regarding support for Bill 60, establishing a Social Assistance Research Commission, and send correspondence to the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. FURTHER THAT a copy of this letter be forwarded to: 1) Honourable , 2) Honourable Christine Elliot, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care 3) Paul Miller, MPP Hamilton East-Stoney Creek (co-Sponsor of Bill 60) 4) Robert Bailey, MPP Sarnia-Lambton (co-Sponsor of Bill 60) 5) , MPP Kingston and the Islands 6) , MPP Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston 7) , MPP Hastings-Lennox and Addington 8) Monica Turner, Director of Policy, Association of Municipalities of Ontario 9) Loretta Ryan, Association of Local Public Health Agencies 10) Ontario Boards of Health 11) The Ontario Dietitians in Public Health, Carolyn Doris and Mary Ellen Prange One in 10 households in KFL&A area experience food insecurity. Income is the root cause of food insecurity and is a key determinant of health. As such, responses are needed to address food insecurity. Bill 60 has the potential to improve income security for social assistance recipients, and hence, food security. The Ontario Dietitians in Public Health’s support of Bill 60 aligns with KFL&A Public Health’s commitment to addressing health disparities, such as food insecurity.

The KFL&A Board of Health urges the Government of Ontario to support Bill 60 and create a Social Assistance Research Commission to recommend rates of provincial social assistance that is grounded in an analysis of the cost for basic and other necessities.

Yours truly,

Denis Doyle, Chair KFL&A Board of Health

Copy to: Hon. D. Ford, Premier of Ontario Hon. C. Elliot, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care P. Miller, MPP Hamilton East-Stoney Creek (co-Sponsor of Bill 60) R. Bailey, MPP Sarnia-Lambton (co-Sponsor of Bill 60) I. Arthur, MPP Kingston and the Islands R. Hillier, MPP Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston D. Kramp, MPP Hastings-Lennox and Addington M. Turner, Director of Policy, Association of Municipalities of Ontario L. Ryan, Association of Local Public Health Agencies Ontario Boards of Health The Ontario Dietitians in Public Health, C. Doris and M.E. Prange