Media advisory - Anti-poverty activists urge Province to "raise the rates" of social assistance in upcoming budget

Critics slam "Austerity for people, tax breaks and record profits for business"

NORTH BAY, ON, March 22, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty and the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE are holding a media conference on Thursday to call for a provincial budget that rejects corporate-led "austerity" and instead raises the rates for social assistance recipients.

Spokespeople at a North Bay media conference on Thursday, March 22, will expose the big business source of the provincial government's "austerity" agenda and call for a provincial budget that responds to pressing social needs and not continue with tax breaks for business.

WHAT:	Media conference on the provincial budget & against austerity
WHERE:	Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23, 150 First Ave. W., North Bay
WHEN:	Thursday, March 22, 10:00 AM
WHO:	John Clarke, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
	Lana Mitchell, Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing
	Patti Encinas, Vice-President, Area 2, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE

The Ontario government is preparing to slash social programs while Canada's banks rake in record profits. Meanwhile, corporate representatives are urging governments to force austerity on people and cut services to communities.

David Robbins, CUPE Ontario Communications, cell 613 878 1431