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2023-11-16 A Strong Economy Update 2025-02-26

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Operated by:

QUALITY OF LIFE:

A STRONG ECONOMY


Quality of Life Subcommittee

Dariel Bateman

Beth Blowes

Jeneane Fast

Kehlar Hillyer

Leah Kennedy

Joelle Lamport-Lewis

Barb Leavitt

Robin Spence-Haffner

Jennifer Rojas

Nancy Summers

Kathy Vassilakos

Special thanks given to advisors

from Huron Perth Public Health:

Erica Clark, PhD

Angela Willert

The Social Research & Planning Council is funded by:

City of Stratford, Town of St. Marys,

County of Perth, through the Department of Social Services,

the County of Huron and United Way Perth-Huron.

Thank you to all the community partners who

contributed to this project. We value your contribution.

Social Research & Planning Council

United Centre, 32 Erie St., Stratford, ON N5A 2M4

Tel: 519-271-7730

Email: srpc@perthhuron.unitedway.ca

www.perthhuron.unitedway.ca/social-research-planning-council


ECONOMY

Economic factors have a critical impact on quality of life.

Employment is a significant contributor to overall quality of life.

Together, income, financial security and employment directly

impact one’s ability to afford essentials such as adequate housing,

food, energy, internet and transportation. Emotional, physical and

mental well-being is connected to access to these critical rights

and factors.


INCOME

Incomes in Perth-Huron are lower than

provincial median

Income has a significant impact on quality of life and is one

of the most important social determinants of health. Living

with low income can lead to incredible stress as low-income

individuals and families try to get by while dealing with

substandard housing, food insecurity, poor working conditions,

unstable employment and discrimination. 1

As of 2020, the median after-tax household income in Perth

is $74,500 and $70,000 in Huron. By comparison, it is $79,500

in Ontario. For one-person households, the median after-tax

income is $37, 600 in Perth and $36,400 in Huron. It is $39,200 in

Ontario. 2

While low income is an indicator of living in poverty, it is not the

same thing. Poverty is complex and can be described as not

having enough money or access to resources to enjoy a decent

standard of living. It extends beyond having enough income to

afford only necessities — such as food or shelter — and is about

exclusion. As such, poverty is difficult to define. In this report we

refer to specific forms of poverty: energy poverty, food insecurity

and housing poverty.

Learn more about poverty. Visit Stats Canada’s Dimensions of

Poverty Hub: www.statcan.gc.ca/en/topics-start/poverty

2020 Median

household

income

Perth

$74,500

Huron

$70,000

Ontario

$79,500

2020 Median

one-person

household

income

Perth

$37,600

Huron

$36,400

Ontario

$39,200

Page 4 A Strong Economy


In our region, 45% of residents over the age of 15 made

less than a living wage as of 2020. According to Living

Wage Canada, a living wage is the hourly wage every adult in a

household needs to earn to cover basic expenses and participate

in the community. In Ontario, a specific living wage is calculated

for every region.

The minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer can legally

pay their staff. It is not based on a calculation of the cost of living,

nor adjusted annually.

The most recent living wage for Perth-Huron, released in

November 2023, is $22.75 per hour. As of October 1, 2023, the

Ontario minimum wage is $16.65 per hour and $15.60 for students.

The gap between minimum wage and living wage in

Perth-Huron is now over $6 per hour.

45%*

of residents over

the age of 15 made

less than a living

wage as of 2020

*Calculated with 2020 taxfiler data

www.livingwage.ca

Graph 1: 2023 Living Wage Breakdown; Perth-Huron

Source: Ontario Living Wage Network

*Figures represent an aggregation of three household types and a 35-hour work week

A: Two working adults with two children

B: One working adult with one child

C: One working adult

Page 5 A Strong Economy


RECOMMENDATIONS

Employers increase their rates of pay to a living

wage and certify with the Ontario Living Wage

Network.

Employers currently paying a living wage

ensure procurement policies and supply chain

decisions reflect the local living wage.

The provincial government raises the minimum

wage to a living wage.


Women, racialized workers and new immigrants are

disproportionately represented in the lowest paid worker bracket.

The lowest paid workers are often more vulnerable and more likely to

be precariously employed.

The number of working poor in Canada is growing. In the Social

Research & Planning Council’s recent report, Household Food

Insecurity in Perth and Huron, more than 700 respondents reported

being food insecure or at risk of food insecurity. Of the food insecure

respondents, 64% had full-time employment.

The following chart displays the difference in individual income

between men and women based on data from the 2021 census. In

both counties, women earned consistently less than men.

Read Household Food

Insecurity in Perth and Huron:

perthhuron.unitedway.ca/

research/

Graph 2: Median total income in 2020

Source: Statistics Canada

$60,000

$50,000

$49,200

$47,600

Median Income is the value at

which half the individuals earn

below and half the individuals

earn above.

$40,000

$37,600

$35,600

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

*Statistics Canada data for

Perth-Huron does not reference

transgender or non-binary

identities. Instead, data is broken

down by men+ (which includes

men, boys and some non-binary

persons) and women+ (which

includes women, girls and some

non-binary persons).

$0

Perth

Huron

Men

Women

Page 7 A Strong Economy


Graph 3: Projected median household income

Source: Environics Canada

$76,000

$75,500

$75,434

$75,000

$74,500

$74,247

$74,000

$73,863

$73,500

$73,286

$73,000

2022 2025 2027 2032

RECOMMENDATION

Employers in all sectors perform a salary

audit to collect gender pay discrepancy data

and address any pay inequities that emerge.


The Number of Low-Income Households

Dropped Due to Federal Assistance Programs

The LIM-AT is defined as half the median family income after tax

and varies based upon family size. LIMs are the most frequently

used measurement internationally, especially when making

comparisons between countries. It is widely used because it

is simple to measure, not necessarily because it is the best

measure of poverty. 3

20%

18%

16%

14%

12%

10%

Graph 4: Low-Income Population Based on LIM-AT by Age (%)

Source: Statistics Canada

8%

6%

4%

2%

0%

Perth 2016 Perth 2021 Huron 2016 Huron 2021

0-17 18-64 65+

From 2016 to 2021, the number of youth ages zero to 17 living in lowincome

households dropped considerably in Perth-Huron. This likely

reflects the financial support provided by the Canada Child Benefit,

introduced in 2016, which provides a significant increase for lowincome

households as compared to the previous benefits system. 4

The financial support provided through the Canada Emergency

Response Benefit (CERB) to individuals 15 years or older who had

earned $5,000 or more in the previous year and whose employment

was affected by COVID-19 is another probable factor. Meanwhile, the

number of individuals over 65 living in low-income households has

increased slightly. 5

Page 9 A Strong Economy


~19%

of total income in

our region came

from government

transfers in 2020

Social Assistance Programs Supplement

Incomes of Financially Insecure Households

Government transfers cover a wide range of programs including

Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age

Security. In Perth, 18% of an individual’s total income comes

from government transfers on average. In Huron it is 20%. In

Ontario it is 17%. 6

Ontario Works (OW) provides money for food, shelter and

other costs to people in financial need who are at least 16 and

participate in employment activities. The Ontario Disability

Support Program (ODSP) provides financial assistance and

employment to people with disabilities. To receive ODSP, the

individual must be 18 years old, be in financial need and meet

the program’s definition of a person with a disability. Ontario

increased the ODSP rate in July 2023. However, the last Ontario

Works increase was in 2018. While the number of OW cases has

remained steady since 2017 in Perth-Huron, ODSP caseloads

increased between 2018 and 2020.

RECOMMENDATION

The provincial government increases social assistance

rates to the equivalent of a living wage so recipients

can more adequately meet their basic needs, increase

earnings exemptions and exemption rates and index

rates to inflation.


Food Insecurity Impacts the Healthcare System

Food insecurity means insecure access to food because of

financial constraints. 7 The Social Research & Planning Council

conducted a survey in November 2022 to better understand the

nature and severity of household food insecurity regionally. More

than 700 digital and paper surveys were analyzed. Findings of

this survey revealed that 63% of respondents experienced food

insecurity in the past year. Other findings can be seen in the

charts below.

Graph 5: Children and adults cut size of meals or skipped meals (past year)

Source: SRPC Food Insecurity Survey

Some months but not every month

Only one or two months

Almost every month

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Children

Adults

Graph 6: Does income meet everyday needs?

Source: SRPC Food Insecurity Survey

2%

Prefer not

to answer

35%

Meets most

everyday needs

24%

Does not meet

everyday needs

39%

Meets some of

everyday needs

Page 11 A Strong Economy


Of respondents, 87% said they had to sacrifice their household

food budget to pay for other living expenses such as rent or

mortgage, transportation and utilities. A reduced food budget

results in a compromised quality and/or quantity of food. The

SRPC survey validates the finding that poverty is the root

cause of food insecurity. 8

Graph 7: Mental health implications of inadequate food budget

Source: SRPC Food Insecurity Survey

Prefer not to answer

None of the above

Have suicidal thoughts

Isolated

Irritable/Angry

Aggressive/Hyperactive

Depressed/Frustrated/Powerless/Shame

Anxious and stressed

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

According to an Ontario study, kids in food insecure

households are more likely to access healthcare for mental

health and substance use. In other words, household food

insecurity increases strain on the healthcare system. 9

Page 12 A Strong Economy


In 2022, the cost of groceries for a family of four in Perth-Huron

was $249 per week, or approximately $1,076 per month. A family of

four relying on Ontario Works therefore needs to spend 39% of their

income on food. Combined with the 52% of their income they must

spend on rent, that leaves just 9%, or $261, each month for all other

expenses. Households without children receive much less.

For households earning minimum wage, working precarious jobs,

receiving social assistance or living on a fixed income, it’s difficult

to manage. The following table, taken from Huron Perth Public

Health’s report The Real Cost of Eating in Huron and Perth 2022 * ,

compares households receiving different social assistance benefits

and how much money they have left after covering rent and food.

Some benefits are not sufficient to cover even that. The table also

shows the median Ontario income, highlighting the disparity with

those who must survive on social assistance. 10 Maytree’s Welfare

in Canada, 2022 report found that based on Toronto’s poverty line,

social assistance rates in Ontario leave all family types living in

deep poverty. Given that Perth-Huron’s living wage rate is only a

couple of dollars less than Toronto’s, it is likely families would be

living in deep poverty here as well. 11

*Huron Perth Public Health

surveys the average price of 61

food items from multiple grocery

stores across the region. These

average prices are then used to

calculate the cost of one week’s

worth of groceries.

Households with Child(ren)

Households without Child(ren)

Income Source

Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4 Scenario 5

Ontario

Works

Median

Ontario

Income

Ontario

Works

Income (After tax)

ODSP

Senior

OAS/GIS

Total Monthly Income $2,760 $9,323 $863 $1309 $1,885

Expenses

Housing $1,423 $1,423 $742 $1,258 $1,258

Food $1,076 $1,076 $386 $386 $279

Monthly Income Remaining for Other Expenses

$261 $6,824 -$265 -$335 $348

% Income Required for Rent 52% 15% 86% 96% 67%

% Income Required for Food 39% 12% 45% 29% 15%

Table 1: Income and expenses table

Source: The Real Cost of Eating in Huron and Perth 2022

RECOMMENDATION

All levels of government establish policies that support

income-based solutions to food insecurity including a

living wage and guaranteed income.

Page 13 A Strong Economy



EMPLOYMENT

More of the Perth population is active in labour

force, more men than women in labour force

The labour force participation rate speaks to the proportion

of the overall population over the age of 15 that is working or

actively seeking work. In Perth, 66.3% of the population 15 and

over is actively participating in the labour force. In this instance,

a high participation rate and a low unemployment rate indicate a

robust job market. However, the participation rates for men

and women are significantly different. The participation

rate for men is 72% and for women it is 60.8%. A similar trend is

evident in Huron, with an overall participation rate of 60.9% but

66% for men and 55.9% for women. 12

Historically, Perth-Huron — as part of the Stratford-

Bruce Peninsula economic region — has one of the

lowest unemployment rates in Ontario. The following graph

displays the average unemployment rate in the Stratford-Bruce

Peninsula region and Ontario over the past seven years. While

the unemployment rate rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, it

has since returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Graph 8: Unemployment rate in Stratford-Bruce Peninsula and Ontario

Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2023. Data has not been seasonally adjusted.

10

9

8

7

Unemployment Rate (%)

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Year

Page 15 A Strong Economy

Stratford-Bruce Peninsula

Ontario


1,636

children on

waitlist in Perth

265

children on

waitlist in Huron

The lack of early childhood

educators has impacted the

delivery of services in Perth-

Huron. Licensed daycares,

as well as multiple before

and after school childcare

programs ceased operating

in mid-2023.

Childcare Options Are in Short Supply

While the workforce in Canada rebounded following the

COVID-19 pandemic, reports indicate workforce gaps between

men and women remain and childcare has been identified as

a significant contributing factor. During the pandemic, more

than 1.6 million women in Canada left the workforce. Women are

more likely to work in sectors that were more directly impacted

by COVID-19, such as education, childcare, service and tourism.

The biggest decline in participation rates was for women who

had school-aged children. Even among men, participation gaps

exist for those with children and those without. The largest

participation gap is 18.4% between men and women with

children under the age of six. 13

Among women who are not working, the main reasons they

report being out of the workforce are personal and family

responsibilities. Women working part-time reported that

childcare was the biggest reason they could not work fulltime.

14

Huron 2019 2020 2021 2022

Number of licensed childcare spaces 1,509 1,509 1,509 1,509

Number of licensed private home childcare providers 21 14 12 13

Number of children on the waitlist for licensed childcare 475 244 280 265

Childcare fee subsidy (average per month) 475 350 180 239

Table 2: Childcare spaces in Huron

Source: Huron County

Perth 2019 2020 2021 2022

Number of licensed childcare spaces 1,989 2,030 2,078 2,094

Number of licensed private home childcare providers 15 10 6 5

Number of children on the waitlist for licensed childcare 814 1,034 1,166 1,636

Childcare fee subsidy (average per month) 477 417 384 379

Table 3: Childcare spaces in Perth

Source: City of Stratford

Page 16 A Strong Economy


A Greater Percentage of People in Perth and

Huron are Self-employed Compared to the

Province

Most workers in Perth and Huron work as employees, while close

to one in five are self-employed. Compared to the province, this

region has more self-employed people with 18% in Perth and 21%

in Huron compared to 15% in Ontario. 15

Graph 9: Self-employed workers in Perth and Huron

Source: Statistics Canada

HURON

PERTH

18% Self-employed 21%

82% Employee

79%


The next chart displays labour force occupation by National

Occupation Classification (NOC), Canada’s system for

describing occupations. NOC codes help organize and explain

job descriptions, educational requirements, skill requirements

and related jobs. 16

The top occupations in Perth and Huron are trades, transport,

equipment operator and sales and service. In Perth, those

fields are followed by business, finance and administration. In

Huron, they are followed by natural resources and agriculture.

Graph 10: Labour force occupation in Perth and Huron by National Occupational Classification*

Source: Statistics Canada

*This is not an exhaustive list

Natural/Applied Sciences

Health

Education/Law/Social/Community & Gov. Services

Natural Resources/Agriculture

Manufacturing/Utilities

Business/Finance/Administration

Trades/Transport/Equipment Operators

Sales/Service

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Huron Perth

In both Perth and Huron the industries with the greatest number

of businesses are agriculture, real estate and construction. 17

Industry Perth Huron

Agriculture 26% 35%

Real Estate + Rental & Leasing 15% 16%

Construction 9% 8%

Retail Trade 7% 6%

Table 4: Industries with the most businesses

Source: 4 County Labour Market Planning Board

Page 18 A Strong Economy


SMALL BUSINESSES

Small business and non-profits play an important

role in rural well-being

Perth and Huron have a large share of micro (one to four

employees) and very small (five to nine employees) businesses

— including non-profits — that contribute siginificantly to the

economy. Huron has a very large proportion of small businesses,

with only 0.02% of businesses having more than 100 employees.

Additionally, 74% of businesses in Huron are classified as selfoperated.

In Perth, 0.07% of businesses have more than 100

employees and 70% of businesses are classified as self-operated. 18

Small businesses also contribute to quality of life in many ways.

They are reflective of the communities in which they operate and

strengthen connections and relationships. Small businesses have

a high rate of participation in community, purchasing goods and

services from other local businesses, holding fundraisers and

volunteering at local events. As of 2023, 51% of business in Perth

and 54% in Huron have one to four employees. 19

The non-profit

sector contributes

7.9%

to the Ontario’s GDP

and employs

844,000

people

77% of whom are

women.

Source: The Ontario Non-Profit

Network

Perth County small business trends

Existing entrepreneurs — in business prior to

2020 — are more likely to be interested in selling

or reducing their services.

Young entrepreneurs are the majority of new

business owners.

Trending industries include sustainable retail,

micro-focused (single) food products, digital

services and senior support services.

Huron County small business trends

The majority of existing businesses are in a stable

position and expect to maintain size, with a

moderate number wanting to expand.

Mid- and late-career professionals are starting

new businesses.

Trending industries include small batch farming

and small agri-food retailers, artisanal and craft

businesses, specialty and gift retail.

Table 5: Small business trends

Source:Invest Stratford; Huron County Small Business and Entrepreneur Centre.

Non-profits and private sector businesses experienced many

changes due to COVID-19 restrictions and closures, exacerbating

issues such as increased costs, workforce recruitment and

retention and housing shortages. Many non-profits are using

reserves to continue operations so the need for government

funding remains high.

Page 19 A Strong Economy


RECOMMENDATIONS

The federal government extends the interest-free

full loan repayment period (i.e., the qualifying period

for partial loan forgiveness) by at least one year, to

December 31, 2024, for Canada Emergency Business

Account (CEBA)* and Regional Relief and Recovery

Fund (RRRF)** loans.

All levels of government provide stable, long-term

and flexible operational funding for non-profits that

keeps pace with inflation and reflects the true costs of

delivering programs and services.

Provincial and municipal government increases funding

and resources to support and encourage small business

entrepreneurship.

*The federal CEBA program offered interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to small

businesses and non-profits.

**The RRRF is part of the national COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to ease

financial pressures caused by the pandemic. 25% was allocated for the tourism

sector


Location of Work is Varied

During the pandemic, many businesses were forced to shut down

in-person operations and began functioning remotely with many

employees working from home. 20 In May 2020, roughly 37% of

working Canadians were working from home . According to the

2021 census, only 21% of people in Perth-Huron work at home

in comparison to 30% in Ontario, although some people have a

hybrid work situation. 21

21%

of people in

Perth-Huron

work at home

Graph 11: Location of work in Perth and Huron compared to Ontario

Source: Statistics Canada

Usual place of work

No fixed place

Worked at home

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Ontario

Perth and Huron


employs

4,200 people

Most people in Ontario commute within the community they live.

Perth’s numbers are similar to the province, but in Huron only

39% of workers commute within their municipality, 33%

commute outside of their municipality but within their county

and 28% commute outside of Huron. Length of commute is

directly related to subjective quality of life, with longer commutes

meaning less time spent with family and friends, less time spent

on recreation and leisure and lower life satisfaction. 22

Bruce Power is by far the largest employer in the Stratford-Bruce

Peninsula region with over 4,200 employees, some of whom

commute from Huron and Perth. There is a significant indirect

economic impact on the region as thousands of people are

indirectly employed by hundreds of companies providing goods

and services to Bruce Power. 23

Graph 12: Commuting for work

Source: Statistics Canada

Commute outside of county

Commute outside of municipality

(but within county)

Commute within municipality

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Ontario Huron Perth

Employees who fully or partially work from home may reduce the need for childcare, decrease

GHG emissions and risk of traffic accidents by reducing the commute.

RECOMMENDATION

Employers provide as much flexibility as feasible to

accommodate the diverse needs of the workforce.

According to a study conducted by researchers from the School of Environmental Design and Rural

Development at the University of Guelph, average savings for rural telecommuters could range

from $8,820 to $23,964 per year depending on the number of days telecommuted per week.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308596118301046

Page 22 A Strong Economy


HOUSING AND LIVING STANDARDS

Housing is a human right

While it is often treated as a commodity, adequate housing is a

human right according to Canadian and international law. This

means every person has the right to secure housing without

the fear of eviction or losing their home. People should also be

able to live in a neighbourhood that aligns with their culture

and where they have access to employment, schools and

services. 24

Rates of homeownership are higher in Perth and Huron

than across the province. In Ontario, 68% of people own the

home they live in and about 31% rent. In Perth, 72% of people

own their home while 28% rent. In Huron, 78% of people own

their home and 22% rent.

Housing is generally considered “affordable” if all shelter

costs amount to less than 30% of a household’s before-tax

income. 25 Shelter costs include rent, mortgage payments and

any necessary repairs. In our region, fewer homeowners than

renters are living in unaffordable housing. In Perth, 17% of

homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on shelter

costs while the number is 16% in Huron. By contrast, almost

33% of renter households in Perth and 31% in Huron are

spending 30% or more of their income on shelter costs.

Subsidized housing refers to any housing subsidized in a

variety of ways to make it financially accessible to low-income

individuals and families. It includes rent-geared-to-income

housing, co-op housing, social housing, public housing,

government-assisted housing, non-profit housing and housing

subsidized by rent supplements and housing allowances. 26 In

Perth, 14% of tenants live in subsidized housing while 15% of

tenants in Huron live in subsidized housing. 27 Waitlists for

subsidized housing are long and, anecdotally, many

individuals will have to wait as much as five years to

move into housing.

In Perth and Huron 14% of tenant households are in

core housing need. This means their housing is some

combination of unaffordable, inadequate and unsuitable

and the median acceptable alternative housing would also be

unaffordable. 28

The number of people facing homelessness is on the

rise with a 17-person increase in Perth between 2018

and 2021 and a dramatic 69-person increase in Huron.

Graph 13: Rates of homeownership

Source: Statistics Canada

ONTARIO

PERTH

HURON

68%

32%

72%

28%

78%

22%

Own

Rent

Own

Rent

Own

Rent

For the purposes of

regulations, the Ontario

government and the City of

Stratford define an “affordable

residential unit” as a unit

which costs 80% or less of

the average market rent or

purchase price.

Page 23 A Strong Economy


14%

of renter

households in

Perth-Huron are

experiencing

housing poverty

129

of people in Perth

have identified

as experiencing

homelessness

Both Huron County and the City of Stratford maintain a By Name List

of people who are experiencing homelessness inPerth and Huron.

The number of people fluctuates for a variety of reasons including

securing housing, moving away, losing contact with housing support

services, becoming ineligible for supports or passing away. On the

other end, individuals may return to the By Name List because they

moved back to the Perth region or became eligible, regained contact

with services or are again experiencing homelessness. In Perth in the

last 12 months, a median of 6.5 individuals per month were identified

for the first time as experiencing homelessness. 29 In Huron, there

was a gradual increase in the number of people on the By Name List

between September 2022 and May 2023, with no more than seven

people coming on or off the list each month. Between May 2023

and June 2023 there was an increase of 26 people. This increase

was because of work done by partners such as employment centres

and hospitals to connect with individuals experiencing chronic

homelessness. 30

In 2018 in Huron, the biggest reasons for homelessness were family

conflicts, incarceration and an inability to pay rent or a mortgage.

In 2021, however, the reasons for most people were family conflicts,

abuse and illness, mental conditions or lack of income. In Perth, most

people experiencing homelessness in 2018 stated it was because of

relationship breakdown, addiction or substance abuse and unsafe

housing conditions. In 2021, the main reasons were relationship and

family issues, housing and financial issues and health and corrections

31, 32

issues.

Some Causes of

Homelessness

Systemic Barriers

Low income, inadequate

supports for vulnerable

populations

Examples of Self-

Identified Causes

Incarceration, relationship

breakdowns/divorce,

unsafe housing conditions

Some Exacerbating

Factors

Relationship Conflict

Abuse, illness or

mental health

Lack of Housing

Eviction, unaffordable

housing, unsafe housing

conditions

Personal Challenge

Relational, behavioural,

emotional or physical

Discrimination

by race, gender, sexual

orientation or ability

Addiction

or substance misuse


Graph 14: Number of people facing homelessness in Huron

Source: Huron County, Housing Services

100

90

84

90

83

80

70

60

50

40

42

44

37

39

48 49

53

57 58

30

20

10

0

Graph 15: Number of people facing homelessness in Perth

Source: City of Stratford

180

170

160

140

120

100

120

102

103

87

140

129

120

80

60

40

20

0

2019 2020 2021 2022

Total Homeless

Chronic Homeless

Page 25 A Strong Economy


Graph 16: Number of people on the housing waitlist

Source: City of Stratford, Huron County

700

650

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Huron

Perth

*There is no Huron

data for October and

no Perth data for

December.

Housing market is tight

Housing prices have been increasing for decades but

jumped significantly after 2020, with a difference of almost

$200,000 in the average price between 2020 and 2021.

Graph 17: Average price of houses sold in Huron-Perth

Source: The Huron Perth Association of Realtors

800

700

600

Average Price (K)

500

400

300

200

100

0

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022


Housing Spectrum

Home

Ownership

Private Rental

Affordable

Rental &

Ownership

Public &

Community

Housing

Transitional

Accommodation

Crisis

Accommodation

Experiencing

Homelessness

Page 27 A Strong Economy


Page 28 Economics


Graph 18: Average price for one-bedroom rentals

Source: City of Stratford

$1,400

$1,200

$1,000

$800

$600

$400

$200

$0

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Stratford

North Perth

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Rental

Market Survey collects rent rates, availability, vacancy and turnover

data for urban areas with populations of 10,000 or more. These are

used in setting government housing policies. The survey targets

private structures that have been on the market for at least three

months and have at least three rental units. While useful for urban

areas such as the City or Stratford and North Perth (Listowel), data

is not available for most areas in Perth and Huron.

The Alternate Average Market Rent (AAMR) surveys to collect

accurate data on current rental market prices from residential

advertisements in areas not covered by the CMHC survey. While

the CMHC survey includes both occupied and available rental

units, the AAMR covers units that are available for rent, providing

an accurate reflection of rental prices. The AAMR also covers

structures with 1–2 units and is not restricted to structures with

three or more units. Many units in both the Perth and Huron rental

markets are owned by landowners with only one or two units.

Having accurate rental housing data is important because it forms

the basis of the housing benefit amount used for social assistance

calculations and increases the possibility of recipients of housing

allowances being able to afford rental units in the private market.

Page 29 A Strong Economy


2020 AAMR

from CMHC

2021 Service

Manager Area

Rental Scan

%

Difference

One bedroom $889 $1,253 41%

Two bedrooms $1,034 $1,487 44%

Three plus bedrooms $1,182 $1,894 60%

Table 6: Comparison Between CMHC AAMRs and Local Rental Housing Costs

City of Stratford. (2021). 2021-2 Request Alternate Average Market Rents Business Case.

2022 AAMR

from COHB*

2022 Service

Manager Area

Rental Scan

%

Difference

One bedroom $954 $1,345 35%

Two bedrooms $1,144 $1,428 22%

Three plus bedrooms $1,381 $1,800 26%

Table 7: Comparison Between COHB AAMRs and Local Rental Housing Costs

Huron County. (2022)

*The CMHC does not

collect rental data

in Huron due to a

small population size.

Instead, the Canada-

Ontario Housing

Benefit (COHB) data

is used for the Huron

County comparison.

RECOMMENDATION

The federal government and the Canadian Mortgage and

Housing Corporation utilize an alternative methodology for the

Rental Market Survey to collect data in rural areas that is both

reliable and reflective of rural communities and their housing

markets.


The following chart displays the Approved Alternate Market

Rents (AAMR) in Perth for 2021. If a family makes the median

after-tax income in Perth and Huron ($73,286 in 2022),

29% of their income would go to rent if they were renting a

two-bedroom rental based on the AAMR. For a one-person

household, the median yearly after-tax income is $37,000.

With this level, a one-bedroom rental would account for 46%

of their income and a bachelor would account for 35% of

their income.

The

median

household

earning $73,286

spends 29%

on rent

Graph 19: Alternate Average Market Rent in Perth 2021

Source: City of Stratford

The median

one-adult

household

earning $37,000

spends 46%

on rent

Many factors play into this leap in prices. On the demand

side, the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health

measures increased demand for larger dwellings with more

rooms, while remote work allowed city dwellers to relocate

to smaller centres. Low interest rates and rising prices

gave homeowners more equity to leverage for purchasing

additional properties. 33 Rising prices also may have created

a sense of urgency for new buyers, who didn’t want to miss

out or get stuck. Others may have bought simply to flip

properties in a hot market, or to convert downscale housing

into upscale housing as an investment strategy. 34 Meanwhile,

many potential buyers now find that homes are out of reach

and they must stay in the rental market. 35 As a result the

rental market is limited, with fewer units available overall.

Simultaneously, immigration levels have increased to meet

labour needs (including in construction), creating further

demand for units.

Dr. Andrew Boozary is a primary

care physician and the Executive

Director of Population Health and

Social Medicine at the University

Health Network (UHN) in Toronto.

With the UHN, Dr. Boozary has

been doing innovative work

helping people experiencing

homelessness. Along with a wider

movement in Canada and the

United States, they have launched

a project to build and provide

permanent housing for vulnerable

populations. In addition to helping

people facing homelessness, the

project — built on what used to

be a UHN parking lot — helps

hospitals cut the costs of caring

for homeless patients. According

to Boozary, “The air you breathe,

the job you have, the income

and social connections you

have, are a much larger driver of

health outcomes than how many

primary care visits or surgeries

you get access to as a patient.”

With this project, Boozary will be

able to “prescribe” housing for

those who need it most. 36


A

In addition to its more positive

elements, Bill 23 controversially

opened certain Greenbelt lands

to development. After a critical

report form the Auditor General

and significant public backlash,

housing minister Steve Clark

stepped down and Doug Ford

vowed to return those lands to the

Greenbelt.

On the supply side, new housing has been severely constricted

for many years by local land-use regulation and zoning rules. In

many communities, it is simply against the rules to build many

types of housing, particularly dense housing like apartment

buildings, on most residential land. 37 Current regulation also

empowers residents to block development, even if it is in the

interest of the community. This means housing providers must

often spend years navigating bureaucracy and facing down local

opposition to deliver even small amounts of housing to market.

This drives up development expenses which are ultimately

passed on through higher prices. This is on top of the rising

costs of raw materials and labour. 38

Additionally, in the mid-nineties both the federal and provincial

governments divested from new affordable, social and nonprofit

housing. Social housing is now the responsibility of

Ontario municipalities, who, of all levels of government, have the

least capacity to fund it. While investments at the higher levels

of government have increased in the past twenty years, for

instance through the National Housing Strategy, many of these

programs have been modest and the demand from affordable

housing providers is incredibly high. 39

The demand for housing has increased dramatically while

supply of all kinds has been choked off. Wages are not

keeping pace with the cost of housing and it has become

unaffordable for many in our area. Fortunately, the province and

local governments are taking steps to increase supply through

initiatives such as Ontario’s Bill 23 A and the investStratford

Attainable Market Housing Project. These are welcome steps

but much more can be done.

RECOMMENDATIONS

All levels of government collaborate with the private

and non-profit sectors to incentivize and facilitate the

development of affordable housing, particularly tailored to

rural municipalities.

The provincial government increases funding for

municipalities and non-profits to expand access to and

availability of supportive and transitional housing, as well

as other emergency and long-term supports and services.

Page 32 A Strong Economy


Energy Poverty is Higher in Rural Areas

Households experience energy poverty when they face

significant challenges in adequately meeting home energy

needs, paying for home energy costs or affording other

necessities because of energy costs. Energy poverty is

often linked with household income because low-income

households are more likely to live in lower-efficiency homes

requiring more energy. Moderate-income households may

also struggle because energy use increases with income.

Households experiencing energy poverty are

significantly more likely to suffer from poorer general

and mental health. 40 Households in rural regions are

more likely to experience energy poverty than households

in urban areas. The possible reasons for this are a greater

reliance upon electricity rather than natural gas to heat

homes and water, higher transmission charges and overall

41, 42

larger home sizes in rural areas versus urban.

Several municipalities within Perth-Huron are not serviced

by natural gas. This means households are paying more

to heat their homes and water, increasing the cost of

living significantly. Additionally, there are competitive

disadvantage for businesses. Portions of Ashfield-

Colbourne-Wawanosh, Morris-Turnberry and Perth

East do not yet have natural gas service. 43 The

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) offers

emergency financial help for people who are behind on their

electricity or natural gas bills and are faced with having their

service disconnected. To qualify, household income must

fall below a certain limit based on how many people live in

the house and the total household income. 44 In Stratford,

approximately 39% of households spend more than 6% of

their income on energy costs, meaning they have a high to

extreme home energy cost burden.

6%

Any household that spends

more than 6% of after-tax

income on home energy

costs is considered to live in

energy poverty.

Citation Anon. 2019. Energy Poverty

in Canada: A CUSP Backgrounder.

The Ontario Energy Board

estimates the average

residential household uses

750 kWh/month.

Hydro One rural low-density

customers used an average

of 1,190 kWh/month.

Citation Anon. 2019. Energy Poverty

in Canada: A CUSP Backgrounder.

More information about

eligibility and the amount

available here: Low-income

Energy Assistance Program |

Ontario Energy Board (oeb.ca)

RECOMMENDATIONS

Governments and utility providers apply a human rights lens

when providing utility services to rural customers, ensuring all

customers have universal access to services and clean energy.

The federal government allocates funds for low-income

households to improve energy efficiency, move towards net-zero

emissions targets and decrease energy poverty for vulnerable

households.

Page 33 A Strong Economy



Internet Access and Broadband

Investment is Needed

Internet access has become a necessity for nearly all of

us. The internet enables access to information, education,

healthcare and, increasingly, employment in remote and

rural communities. 45 The following map displays internet

access in Perth and Huron counties. Many municipalities

have 91–100% coverage, meaning over 90% of the

municipality has internet access. Howick ranks lowest in

terms of broadband coverage in Perth-Huron, followed

by Perth East. Municipal governments have made highspeed

broadband internet access a priority and significant

infrastructure investments have been or will be made. 46

91-100%

81-90%

71-80%

61-10%

51-60%

Page 35 A Strong Economy

Map 1: Broadband coverage

Source: Connected North


The following map displays broadband projects funded by the

Province of Ontario. 47

Planning

Under

Construction

Complete

Map 2: Broadband projects

Source: Connected North

RECOMMENDATION

Municipal and provincial investment in infrastructure to expand

broadband service in our rural communities is necessary to enable

inclusive, connected, equitable communities that support the

participation, health and well-being of all residents.

Government and providers invest further in universal access to

broadband and cellular service, ensuring all residents have the critical

infrastructure to support their inclusion.


Transportation Issues Are Prevalent

Transportation issues are prevalent in the rural parts of our

region, making it difficult for residents to take advantage

of opportunities that would be easily accessible in more

densely populated centres. Employment, education, health

appointments and social activities often involve travel across

significant distances and therefore require reliable and

affordable transportation options. When these are not available,

people miss out on key opportunities, especially affecting

people living on low-incomes and the elderly. While many

services transitioned to online delivery because of COVID-19,

this is still inaccessible for more isolated rural clients who do not

have internet access.

Non-profits and volunteers have filled the gap for some

residents. For instance, ONE CARE’s EasyRide service provides

transportation to seniors, people with disabilities and those in

low-serviced areas.

The City of Stratford operates a public transit system with

seven routes and regular Monday–Friday service. On Saturdays

and Sundays people can access an on-demand system.

Stratford Transit also includes services for people with physical

challenges. The City of Stratford has a transportation service

called Parallel Transit, also known as the “Mobility Bus,” that

provides transportation within the City of Stratford for physically

challenged individuals who are unable to access Stratford

Transit. 48

Municipalities in Perth County have also collaborated on the PC

Connect transit service, connecting communities within Perth

County to each other and with Kitchener-Waterloo and London.

GO Transit piloted service to Stratford and St. Marys on the

London to Toronto route from October 2021 to October 2023.

During the two years of operation, there was a weekday

commuter train to the GTA. VIA Rail also services Stratford daily

on the Sarnia to Toronto line, but the once daily schedule is

limiting.

Due to the geographic size and sparse population

of Perth-Huron, providing a sufficient transportation

system is logistically and financially challenging. There

are significant costs for individuals who must rely on taxis or

charter services and these costs are particularly challenging

for those living on restricted incomes. While strides have been

made, transportation remains a barrier to quality of life for some

in our rural region. Limited options for transportation make

everyday activities such as grocery shopping and getting to

appointments more complicated and costly, leading to social

isolation.


Table 8: PC Connect ridership (# of rides)

Source: Perth County

Funding Year 3

Nov 2020–Mar 2021

Funding Year 4

Apr 2021–Mar 2022

Funding Year 5

Apr 2022–Mar 2023

Funding Year 6 (partial)

Apr 2023–July 2023

(in progress at time of writing)

Route A

Perth

North

Route B

Perth

South

Transportation Within the Region

PC Connect is a public transit service that offers

transportation in Stratford, St. Marys, Perth County,

London and Kitchener/Waterloo.

Route 1

KW to

Listowel

Route 2

KW to St.

Marys

Route 3

London to

Stratford

Totals

342 87 55 186 94 764

1,116 578 872 978 1,127 4,671

2,715 975 1,865 3,513 2,229 11,363

1,324 621 1,390 1,675 1,253 6,263

Totals 5,498 2,261 4,182 6,343 4,773 23,055

Map 3: Perth County transit routes through the PC Connect service

Source: perthcounty.ca

Page 38 A Strong Economy


Map 4: Huron County transit routes through the Huron Shores Area Transit

Source: huronshoresareatransit.ca

RECOMMENDATION

Governments, community members and businesses

explore alternatives to a fixed route transit system to meet

transportation needs of the public, students, seniors and the

workforce.

Page 39 A Strong Economy



TOURISM

*The following data is from RTO4 for the Huron, Perth, Waterloo

and Wellington region

In 2019, over 10 million people visited the region. Most

of these visitors were from Ontario, with about 154,000 from

other provinces or territories and about 117,000 from outside

of Canada. Most of these visitors did not stay overnight,

with approximately 80% of visitors only staying one day.

A little over 20% of visitors traveled for pleasure and 10%

traveled for business. Other reasons for travel included

visiting friends and family, shopping and attending festivals

and events. The most popular accommodation types were

private homes or cottages and hotels and motels. The most

common activities visitors participated in were seeing

friends or relatives, shopping, going to restaurants or bars

and outdoor sports or activities. Over 30% of visitors

were under the age of 35.

The following table displays hotel statistics in the region

from 2016 to 2020.

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Occupancy Rate 60.5% 60.3% 63.8% 63.9% 33.0%

Average Daily Rate $113.71 $117.17 $128.38 $131.84 $107.26

Revenue per Available Room $68.77 $70.68 $81.89 $84.30 $35.35

Table 9: Hotel statistics

Source: Regional Toursim Organization 4

*The following data is Huron specific from their visitor survey

In 2022, Huron County Economic Development surveyed 609

Ontario residents who visited Huron for business, pleasure

or a personal trip in the past year. Goderich was the most

visited with 51% of respondents visiting, followed by Bayfield

with 25% and Port Albert and Clinton with 14% each. Of

the 94% of respondents who visited as a personal trip,

49% indicated their primary reason was visiting the beach/

lakeshore. More than half (55%) of respondents stayed

overnight, staying an average of two nights with 40% staying

in a hotel or motel. About 20% stayed in a private home and

roughly 20% stayed at an Airbnb or vacation rental. The

following table displays the average amount spent by visitors

during their stay, who completed the survey.

Page 41 A Strong Economy


Amount Spent

Accommodation $396

Recreation and Entertainment $168

Transportation $204

Food and Beverage $210

Shopping $157

Total $1, 135

Table 10: Amount spent by tourists in Huron County

Source: Huron County

RECOMMENDATION

Municipal governments consider introducing a

Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) to offset other

budgetary items.

The MAT is sometimes known as a hotel or lodging

tax. It supplements municipal funds for tourism

with revenues raised from visitors. The revenue

generated by a MAT could offset other budget items,

allowing municipalities to designate that money to

priority projects such as affordable housing.


Local Theatres Contribute Significantly

to the Local Economy

While the COVID-19 crisis disrupted many areas of the

economy, certain sectors were particularly affected including

accommodation, food services, arts, entertainment, recreation

and retail. Due to their nature, these sectors were affected more

dramatically than others by public health measures to limit

COVID-19 transmission and changes in consumer behaviour.

Throughout 2020–2022, many consumers were hesitant to

patronize businesses even when they were able to open or

remain open. A survey by Statistics Canada from 2022 found

that 63% of people in Perth and Huron avoided large gatherings

and crowds and 30% avoided leaving the house at all except for

essential errands.

Local theatres are an important part of our cultural landscape

and tourism economies and were hit hard by the pandemic;

having to close entirely for one or more years and operate with

reduced capacities. Theatres like the Stratford Festival and the

Blyth Festival showed great ingenuity in adapting with outdoor

performance spaces, while the Huron County Playhouse offered

weekly mask-only performances. Now, they are doing the

challenging work of rebuilding capacity, with steady progress as

audiences reconnect with greater confidence.


The Blyth Festival is one of Canada’s only theatre companies

producing exclusively Canadian content. Prior to 2020, the

Festival’s box office sales were steadily increasing, reaching

over 23,000 visitors for five plays. Prior to the COVID-19

pandemic, the Blyth Festival was able to accommodate an

indoor capacity of 373 seats for each performance in 2018

and 2019. In 2020, the season was cancelled due to COVID-19

restrictions. Upon reopening in 2021, the Festival pivoted

to using an outdoor theatre that could only accommodate

95 seats per performance, a big drop from pre-pandemic

capacity. Due to US border restrictions, there were no out-ofcountry

ticket sales. In 2022, the Festival continued to rebuild

its capacity, selling up to 150 tickets per performance.

The Stratford Festival is a major driver of Stratford’s tourism

economy, both as an employer and through generating

significant business for restaurants, stores and other local

attractions. After cancelling the entire 2020 season, the

Festival returned in 2021 with dramatically restricted capacity

in two outdoor “canopy” venues. In the 2022 season, the

Festival made major strides in rebuilding its pre-pandemic

audience with attendance up almost tenfold from 2021, an

estimated economic impact of $87.9 million on the area. 49

The Huron Country Playhouse had pre-COVID attendance of

73,343 people in one year. In 2020 and 2021, the theatre was

closed entirely. When it reopened in 2022 attendance reached

32,612 (65% of the total capacity). Due to the ongoing recovery

from the pandemic, the Playhouse mounted fewer productions

and thus made fewer seats available. In 2023, attendance is

predicted to be over 50,000 for the season, 75% of the total

capacity and 75% of pre-COVID-19 attendance.

RECOMMENDATION

The provincial government makes the Ontario

Staycation Tax Credit an annual offering, providing

economic support to the tourism and hospitality

sector.

The Ontario Staycation Tax Credit allowed Ontario

residents to claim 20% of their Ontario accommodation

expenses on their personal income tax and benefit return.

Page 44 A Strong Economy


Recommendation Individual Corporate Municipal

Provincial

/Federal

Employers increase their rates of pay to a living wage

and certify with the Ontario Living Wage Network.

Employers currently paying a living wage ensure

procurement policies and supply chain decisions

reflect the local living wage.

The provincial government raises the minimum wage

to a living wage.

Employers in all sectors perform both a salary audit

to collect gender pay discrepancy data and address

any pay inequities that emerge.

The provincial government increases social

assistance rates to the equivalent of a living wage

so recipients can more adequately meet their basic

needs, increase earnings exemptions and exemption

rates for recipients and index rates to inflation.

All levels of government establish policies that

support income-based solutions to food insecurity

including a living wage and guaranteed income.

Provincial and municipal government increases

funding and resources to support and encourage

small business entrepreneurship.

The federal government extends the interest-free

full loan repayment period (i.e., the qualifying period

for partial loan forgiveness) by at least one year, to

December 31, 2024, for Canada Emergency Business

Account (CEBA) and Regional Relief and Recovery

Fund (RRRF) loans.

All levels of government provide stable, long-term

and flexible operational funding for nonprofits that

keeps pace with inflation and reflects the true costs

of delivering programs and services.

Employers provide as much flexibility as feasible to

accommodate the diverse needs of the workforce.

Page 45 A Strong Economy


Recommendation Individual Corporate Municipal

Provincial

/Federal

All levels of government collaborate with the private

and non-profit sectors to incentivize and facilitate

the development of affordable housing, particularly

tailored to rural municipalities.

The federal government and the Canadian Mortgage

and Housing Corporation utilize an alternative

methodology for the Rental Market Survey to collect

data in rural areas that is both reliable and reflective

of rural communities and their housing markets.

The provincial government increases funding for

municipalities and non-profits to expand access

to and availability of supportive and transitional

housing, as well as other emergency and long-term

supports and services.

Governments and utility providers apply a human

rights lens when providing utility services to rural

customers, ensuring all customers have universal

access to services and clean energy.

The federal government allocates funds for lowincome

households to improve energy efficiency,

move towards net-zero emissions targets and

decrease energy poverty for vulnerable households.

Government and providers invest further in universal

access to broadband and cellular service, ensuring

all residents have the critical infrastructure to support

their inclusion.

Governments, community members and businesses

explore alternatives to a fixed route transit system to

meet transportation needs.

Municipal governments consider introducing a

Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) to offset other

budgetary items.

Page 46 A Strong Economy


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before%2Dtax%20income.

26 Statistics Canada. (2016, January 4). Subsidized housing. National Household Survey (NHS)

Dictionary. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/ref/dict/dwelling-logements017-eng.cfm

27 Statistics Canada. 2023. (table). Census Profile. 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada

Catalogue no. 98-316-X2021001. Ottawa. Released March 29, 2023. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/

census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed September 5, 2023).

28 City of Stratford

29 County of Huron, Housing Services

30 Heisel, D., & Randle, J. (2022, September 21). Core Housing Need in Canada. Statistics Canada.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-627-m/11-627-m2022056-eng.htm

31 2018 Homeless Enumeration Report for Stratford, Perth County and St Marys

32 2018 Homeless Enumeration for Huron County

33 Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative. (2023). IUHF Journal Summer 2023

34 WOWA (n.d.) Understanding the BRRRR Method in Canada.

https://wowa.ca/brrrr-method-canada

35 Cyca, M. (2023, June 5). The End of Homeownership. Macleans Canada.

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Page 48 Strong Economy


36 Rosalsky, G. (2023, February 7). This doctor wants to prescribe a cure for homelessness. NPR.

https://files.ontario.ca/mmah-housing-affordability-task-force-report-en-2022-02-07-v2.pdf

37 City of Stratford, Transit

38 Housing Affordability Task force (2022). Report of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task

Force. https://files.ontario.ca/mmah-housing-affordability-task-force-report-en-2022-02-07-v2.pdf

39 Deng, A., Leviten-Reid, C., & Thériault, L. (2023a). Can they build or not? nonprofit housing

development in an ERA of government re-engagement. Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social

Economy Research, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.29173/cjnser586

40 Riva, M., Kingunza Makasi, S., O’Sullivan, K.C. et al. Energy poverty: an overlooked determinant

of health and climate resilience in Canada. Can J Public Health 114, 422–431 (2023).

https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-023-00741-0

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EnergyRates.ca. https://energyrates.ca/energy-poverty-in-canada-how-each-province-performs/

42 Energy Rates (n.d.). Energy Poverty in Canada: How Each Province Performs.

https://energyrates.ca/energy-poverty-in-canada-how-each-province-performs/

43 Ontario Energy Board. (2020, October 30). Report to the Minister of Energy, Northern

Development and Mines and to the Associate Minister of Energy. https://www.oeb.ca/sites/default/

files/OEB-Natural-Gas-Expansion-Report-to-Ministers-20201030.pdf

44 Ontario Energy Board. (n.d.). Bill assistance programs. https://www.oeb.ca/consumerinformation-and-protection/bill-assistance-programs

https://www.oeb.ca/consumer-information-andprotection/bill-assistance-programs/low-income-energy-assistance-program

45 University of Birmingham. (2023, April 7). Internet access must become human right or we

risk ever-widening inequality. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230407094243.

htm#:~:text=Internet%20access%20must%20become%20human%20right%20or%20we%20risk%20

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new%20study%20reveals.

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47 Connected north (n.d.) Ontario Broadband Information

46 City of Stratford, Transit

49 Stratford Festival. (2023, April 1).

https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/Media/NewsReleases/2023-04-01/

About the SRPC

The Social Research & Planning Council (SRPC), operated by United Way Perth-

Huron, is comprised of community representatives who are dedicated to the collection,

analysis and distribution of information relating to social trends and issues in Perth and

Huron Counties. The SRPC approaches its work in two ways:

1. Commissioning research into specific social issues.

2. Developing recommendations for community improvement based on local findings

and working collaboratively with community members to implement change.


Additional Resources

How Much is Enough? The Impact of Low Incomes on Households and Communities in Perth-Huron: https://

perthhuron.unitedway.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2019-09-05-How-Much-is-Enough-Website-version-

FINAL.pdf

Statistics Canada Dimensions of Poverty Hub: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/topics-start/poverty

Living Wage in Perth-Huron: https://perthhuron.unitedway.ca/research/living-wage/

Household Food Insecurity in Perth-Huron 2023-06-22-Food-Security-Report-UPDATE.pdf (unitedway.ca)

The Real Cost of Eating Huron and Perth 2022: https://www.hpph.ca/en/partners-and-professionals/resources/

Documents/REPORT_Cost-of-eating-in-HP_Oct-2022.pdf

Four County Labour Market Planning Board’s Precarious Living Study:

https://www.planningboard.ca/reports/precariouslivingstudy/

Ontario Nonprofit Network’s 2022 State of the Sector:

https://theonn.ca/publication/2022-state-of-the-sector-policy-report/

Huron County Business Retention & Expansion Project

Social Research & Planning Council’s Supportive Housing Report:

https://perthhuron.unitedway.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-Supportive-Housing-Report.pdf

Stratford, Perth County and St. Marys Housing and Homelessness Plan: https://www.stratford.ca/en/inside-cityhall/resources/Social_Services/Housing/HHP-AR-2020-Summary.ACC.pdf

Huron County Housing and Homelessness 2021 Annual Report: https://www.huroncounty.ca/wp-content/

uploads/2022/07/2021-Housing-and-Homelessness-report.pdf

City of Stratford Transportation Master Plan Draft Report: https://engagestratford.ca/transportation-master-plan

Municipal Accommodation Tax White Paper: https://perthhuron.unitedway.ca/research/


WRITING

Areeba Ahmad

Kristin Crane

Will Wellington

EDITING

Chad Alberico

DESIGN

Sonya Heyen

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHY

Fred Gonder

Copyright © The Social Research & Planning

Council 2023. This work is copyrighted. It

may be reproduced in whole or in part for

educational use subject to the inclusion of an

acknowledgement of the source.

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