Analysis shows Ontario's poor under fire despite political spin

It's been a tough year for the disadvantaged in Ontario. First, we had the Drummond Report recommending all sorts of drastic options for our public programs, including social assistance. And then, the 2012 budget took away with one hand more than twice what was given by the other. As if that wasn't tough enough, the Social Assistance Review Commission is expected to release their own report in September, and all indications point to more pain for the poor.

Meanwhile the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Rental Market Report for Spring 2012 shows another drop in vacancy rates, down to just 2.3 per cent across Ontario. Looking at Cobourg, the largest municipality in Northumberland, we see that the vacancy rate is even worse, dropping from two per cent last year to a new low of 1.6 per cent this year. The report shows no vacancies whatsoever for coveted three bedroom units, while one and two bedroom apartments sit at 1.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, average rents for those units are $770 and $918, both higher than last year. Three bedroom units average $1,092 this year, if you can find one.