. Ministry of Comrnunlty Minbtere des Services and Social Services roclaux et communautairea Ministeh Mfice Bureau de la minbtre Hepburn Block i+dM Hepburn Queen’s Park Queen’s Park Ontario Toronto ON M7A 1EQ Toronto (Ontario) M7A 1EQ Tal.: (416) 325-5225 TBI. : 416 3255225 Fax: (416) 3253347 TBIBC. : 416 325-3347 OFRCE OFTHE MAYOR JAN 2 5 2008 Her Worship Anne Marie DeCicco-Best Mayor City of London 300 Dufferin Avenue PO Box 5035 London, Ontario N6A 4L9 Dear Mayor DeCicco-Best: -7 Thank you for your kind words of congratulation and for enclosing a copy of the final report of the City of London titled London’s Communi@Addictions Response Strategy (CAReS) -Phase One. I am pleased and honoured to be given this opportunity by Premier McGuinty to continue to serve the people of Ontario as Minister of Community and Social Services. I share your concerns about poverty in London and assure you that this government is committed to reducing poverty in Ontario. I note that you forwarded a copy of your correspondence to the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services and MPP for London North Centre, who has recently been appointed as Chair of the Cabinet Conunittee on Poverty Reduction. The London CAReS document recommends an increase in addiction services funding as well as new funding for homelessness. It is important to note that London is one of 15 pilot sites of the Ontario Works Addiction Services Initiatives (ASI) in the province. In 2007, the City of London received $706,304 in AS1 funding and $511,289 in Consolidated Homelessness hevention Program (CHPP) funding to address some of the issues you raise in your letter. .. Jcont’d -2- I am pleased to hear that the City of London is working with ministry staff in the South West Regional Office to find solutions to best serve London’s vulnerable population. I encourage you to continue to work together to explore funding options. Once again, thank you for writing. Sincerely, Madeleine Meilleur Minister c: The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services .