The next provincial budget could not come at a more critical time. What Ontario's provincial government does now to stave off the worst of a recession and protect the vulnerable has the potential to make an immediate and lasting difference in the lives of Ontarians and, ultimately, on the health of the nation's economy. A Blueprint for Economic Stimulus and Poverty Reduction in Ontario argues that making good on the province's commitment to reduce child poverty by 25 per cent in the next five years is key to addressing the economic challenges facing Ontario today. It recommends key investments during the next two years in social infrastructure and public programs that do double duty of stimulating the economy at a time when we need it most and tackling poverty when the need is highest.