NDP MPP Michael Prue today pressed the McGuinty government to publicly release a summary of poverty submissions received from the more than 2,000 Ontarians who have participated in the government’s poverty consultations.

The government has received more 750 written submissions and has consulted with 1,500 Ontarians since May, however, Deb Matthews, the minister in charge of the consultations, has said she has no plans to release a report on what these Ontarians have told the government.

“How will Ontarians know whether the McGuinty government is addressing the real needs of poor Ontarians if the government refuses to say what they heard?” asked Prue.

Last week, the NDP completed the last of its eight cross-Ontario town hall poverty meetings. More than 500 Ontarians – the majority living in poverty – participated and repeatedly raised the following key concerns:

· The urgent need to raise minimum wages to a livable wage;
· The widespread lack of access to affordable, good quality housing; and
· The punitive and unsupportive nature of social assistance.

In September, the NDP will release a report based on its consultations.

“The NDP’s process has been fully public and completely transparent. We challenge the government to follow our lead: Will the McGuinty Liberals do the same?” asked Prue.