Thank you.
My name is Etan Diamond. I am the manager of policy and research from OMSSA. I am here replacing Kira Heineck, the executive director, who had a personal emergency this morning.
The Ontario Municipal Social Services Association represents the municipal services to managers of Ontario, which administer local human social services throughout our province. Our association promotes policy development and program delivery in the areas of economic security, employment support, social housing, homelessness prevention, and children's services.
In 2009 the federal government invested in Canada’s physical infrastructure by providing funds for roads, bridges, buildings, and houses. In 2010 OMSSA believes that the federal government must now invest in Canada's people: the people who drive on those roads, who cross those bridges, who work in those buildings, and who live in those houses. This commitment to Canada’s human infrastructure will have the triple benefit of stimulating the economy, reducing poverty, and fostering healthy families and communities.
I am pleased to turn the microphone over to Janet Menard, the commissioner of human services in Peel region and a member of our board, to talk more specifically about our recommendations.