Ontario Coalition Against Poverty

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The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) was a group in Ontario, Canada that fought for the poor and homeless. They promoted their causes through direct actions and protests, sometimes including squatting.

OCAP formed in 1989 when activists from the Toronto Union of Unemployed Workers came out of a mass March Against Poverty. It began operating in 1990 and was based in Toronto. The group aimed to raise concern and push for action on poverty, homelessness, and gentrification in downtown Toronto.

Key moments
- June 15, 2000: OCAP led a large protest at Queen’s Park in Toronto. Protesters wanted the Ontario Legislature to repeal the Tenant Protection Act, increase social housing, end the Safe Streets Act targeting the homeless, and reverse a 21.5% cut to welfare. The demonstration led to clashes with police and security. About 40 people were arrested or charged. Some OCAP members faced trial, with mixed outcomes; several charges were dropped or acquitted, and one trial ended in a hung jury.
- Early 2000s: OCAP’s tactics drew criticism from unions and some public officials. In June 2001, OCAP evicted Ontario Finance Minister Jim Flaherty from his Whitby constituency office to protest his policies; the incident led to some members’ arrests and the Canadian Auto Workers union cutting funding.
- July 2002: OCAP squatted 1510 King Street West in Parkdale, a building in a neighborhood facing gentrification. The “Pope squat” attracted notable supporters but was evicted by the province in November 2002.
- 2005–2006: OCAP pushed for better information about welfare benefits, helping people understand a diet allowance under Ontario Works. In 2006, the government restricted who could receive that allowance.
- March 2013: OCAP occupied Metro Hall to highlight overcrowding in Toronto’s shelters, a situation linked to the closure of Occupy Toronto in 2012.
- March 18, 2020: OCAP urged Toronto to convert empty buildings into shelters to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dissolution
OCAP announced it would cease operations at its annual meeting on May 13, 2023. The group’s work covered poverty, homelessness, and related issues across Ontario, and its activities were centered in Toronto.

Languages and presence
OCAP operated in Ontario and used English and French. Its website was ocap.ca.