2023-11-16 A Strong Economy Update 2025-02-26
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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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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
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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
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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.
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files/OEB-Natural-Gas-Expansion-Report-to-Ministers-20201030.pdf
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htm#:~:text=Internet%20access%20must%20become%20human%20right%20or%20we%20risk%20
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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
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Council 2023. This work is copyrighted. It
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