On Saturday March 25th, the Waterloo Regional Labour Council hosted a community conversation based around the Enough is Enough campaign, highlighting issues that are vitally important to our community. United Way Waterloo Region Communities (UWWRC) Senior Director of Impact and Stewardship, Amanda Melnick, was able to speak on the panel from the perspective of what the local nonprofit sector is experiencing through issues like inflation, stagnant wages and social determinants of health. She was joined on the panel by Ontario NDP Leader, Marit Stiles, Ontario Federation of Labour President, Patty Coates, and Dr. Barbara Schumacher representing the local chapter of the Ontario Health Coalition. Jeff Pelich, President of the Waterloo Regional Labour Council led the discussion.
To learn more about the Enough is Enough campaign, please click here: https://wesayenough.ca/
In 2022 and 2023, United Ways across the province have been advocating for elements brought forward in the Enough is Enough campaign with the provincial government. Inflation, healthcare cuts and stagnant wages inevitably affect the most vulnerable in our communities and those are all key components in the 2023 provincial budget. We encourage you to read more about that United Way submission here: https://www.uwaywrc.ca/2023-pre-budget-submission-to-the-standing-committee-on-finance-and-economic-affairs-from-ontario-united-ways/
Additionally, at the announcement of the provincial bill, “More Homes Built Faster”, United Ways across the province came forward to offer a perspective on the loss of affordable housing options under the bill, which would put further pressure on the emergency shelter network throughout the province. From the submission, “…with affordable housing options ever more out of reach for low-income families, broader social and systemic inequities—including poverty and discrimination—are re-enforced and magnified.” Read more here: https://www.uwaywrc.ca/more-homes-built-faster-act/
At the Enough is Enough panel event, we were able to discuss just how many of these issues members of our community face, and acknowledge United Way’s critical role as a pre-eminent funder of social programs outside of government. The challenge we all face is that funding from all sources is falling short from what is truly needed to help every member of the Waterloo Region not just to survive, but also THRIVE. Enough is enough.
Please consider donating below to join us as we advocate for those in our community that desperately need support.