Anti-poverty initiative encouraging Regina residents to donate tax credit cheques
A local initiative is encouraging Regina residents to donate their upcoming tax credit cheques to anti-poverty organizations.
Earlier this year, the Saskatchewan government announced it would be distributing $500 affordability cheques this fall, to residents who filed their taxes in 2021.
Share the Credit Regina Equity Project aims to direct affordability tax credit funding from the province towards four local shelters in Regina.
Carol Schick advocates for the Share the Credit program and is hoping the project can make a difference in people’s lives.
“The main idea is to see if the tax credit can be used more effectively and collectively to help address the horrendous issue of poverty in Regina,” Schick said.
Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, North Central Family Centre, Carmichael Outreach and All Nations Hope are the shelters and agencies that will benefit from the donations.
Rally Around Homelessness is preparing for a tough winter and are distributing sleeping bags to those in need.
“We just want everybody geared up for the cold weather,” Alysia Johnson, with Rally Around Homelessness, said. “There is going to be a lot of people battling minus 30 winds and trying to be sheltered this winter.”
Johnson adds that there are also fewer services available for people affected by poverty than this time last year.
Nineteen per cent of Saskatchewan’s population lives in poverty, while child poverty in the province is the second highest rate in Canada at 26 per cent, according to a 2021 study by the University of Regina.
The University of Regina and the City of Regina have created a survival guide that includes a directory of services for those in need.
“What they have is a service directory that outlines various centres that offer food and other services, emergency shelter services, free clothing, and needle exchange,” Johnson said.
The donations will be split evenly across the four organizations, or a donor can decide where they would Ike to see their money go within an organization.
Schick asks those who are not struggling to consider donating to local advocacy groups.
“Some of these organizations have been working for 50 years,” Schick said. “When they started they thought [poverty] would be over but in many ways it has gotten worse.”
People who are interested in helping out a specific organization can do so by going to their online donation pages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.