Media & Policy News: 25 September 2017

Top Stories

Ontario legal clinics launch challenges over ODSP Board and Lodge benefit rate:
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/author/gabrielle-giroday/challenges-launched-over-disability-benefit-rate-13652/

• Should I report family social assistance fraud? Ethically Speaking: https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/09/24/should-i-report-a-family-fraud-ethically-speaking.html

Groups allege problems and potential legal implications with EI appeals process:
https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/business/articles/4707/groups-allege-problems-and-potential-legal-implications-with-ei-appeals-process-

• See the Open Letter here: http://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/over-30-organizations-from-across-canada-call-for-a-fair-ei-appeal-process/

Advocates say BC disability exemption a move forward:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/advocates-say-disability-exemption-a-move-forward-1.22921837

• BC increases annual earnings exemption for people with disabilities on social assistance:
  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/services-for-people-with-disabilities/disability-assistance/on-disability-assistance/annual-earnings-exemption

Food bank visits in Toronto back to recession-era levels: Report:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/food-bank-visits-in-toronto-back-to-recession-levels-report

• Here’s the report: http://www.dailybread.ca/learning-centre/whos-hungry/whos-hungry-2017/
• Rise in food-bank use points to need for housing benefit: Editorial:
  https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/09/19/rise-in-food-bank-use-points-to-need-for-housing-benefit-editorial.html
• Toronto food bank use spikes, with notable increase among seniors:
  https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto-food-bank-use-spikes-with-notable-increse-among-seniors/article36287133/
• Food bank use on the rise in Canada, with “drastic” surges in Nova Scotia, territories:
  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/food-bank-report-2016-1.3850897
• As food bank usage rises, advocates urge the Ontario government to alleviate poverty by strengthening Bill 148: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/media-release-as-food-bank-usage-rises-advocates-urge-ontario-government-alleviate-poverty-2234438.htm

Report says more than 1000 planned purpose-built rental units converted to condos in GTA after rent control:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/report-finds-1000-planned-rental-units-convert-to-condos-in-wake-of-ontario-rent-control-expansion/article36382681/

• Here’s a link to that report: https://www.frpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Urbanation-Rental-Supply-Report-for-FRPO.pdf

Homeless shelter demand rising in Ontario as facilities close:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/ottawa/homeless-shelter-ontario-closures-1.4299243

• Federal government ready to make housing a right as part of national strategy, but no legislated specifics are tied to the promise: http://www.macleans.ca/politics/liberals-ready-to-make-housing-a-right-as-part-of-national-strategy/

Dissenting doctors write open letter in support of federal tax reforms:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/09/17/dissenting-doctors-write-open-letter-in-support-of-federal-tax-reforms.html

• Here’s the open letter: https://docsandtaxes.wordpress.com/
• Doctors say tax us: Canada is worth it: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/09/21/doctors-say-tax-us-canada-is-worth-it.html
• After wave of criticism over planned tax changes, some doctors are urging Ottawa to forge ahead: http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/doctors-angry-at-opposition-to-planned-tax-changes-urge-ottawa-to-forge-ahead
• Canadians fed up with anti-tax rhetoric, says reform advocate: https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/09/20/Anti-Tax-Rhetoric-Fed-Up/
• Here’s the Canadian Coalition for Tax Fairness: https://coalitionfortaxfairness.ca/
• Morneau chides NDP for opposing end to “unfair tax advantages” for wealthy: http://globalnews.ca/news/3751735/bill-morneau-ndp-tax-advantages/
• Lawyers unhappy with CBA over tax stance: http://www.lawtimesnews.com/author/dale-smith/lawyers-unhappy-with-cba-over-tax-stance-13683/
• How tax inequity hurts women: http://ipolitics.ca/2017/09/20/how-tax-inequity-hurts-women/
• Needed: Progressive taxation: http://peoplesvoice.ca/2017/09/17/needed-progressive-taxation/
• Joe Oliver: Libs proposed tax hikes are bad politics and policy: http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/joe-oliver-the-liberals-proposed-tax-hikes-are-bad-politics-and-policy
• Canada’s tax system needs a proper overhaul: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/is-it-time-to-consider-broader-tax-system-reforms/article36280856/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
• Trudeau pledges to push through tax fairness agenda and defends own family’s use of tax rules: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-fall-presser-tax-fairness-1.4296641
• Walkom: The political necessity of Morneau’s tax reform plan: http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1503968-walkom-the-political-necessity-of-morneau%E2%80%99s-tax-reform-plan
• ca petition: “I support the wealthy paying their fair share”: https://act.leadnow.ca/fair-share/

Handing out money for free in Ontario’s basic income pilot project harder than it looks:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/09/17/handing-out-money-for-free-harder-than-it-looks.html

• Ontario expands outreach for basic income clients: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/ontario-expands-outreach-for-basic-income-clients-721073
• Basic Income Pilot raises serious concerns: http://www.netnewsledger.com/2017/09/22/basic-income-pilot-project-raises-serious-concerns/
• Applications underway for pilot in Hamilton: https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/7570770-applications-underway-for-basic-income-program-pilot-in-hamilton/
• OCAP: The neoliberal danger of Basic Income:
  https://ocaptoronto.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/the-neoliberal-danger-of-basic-income/
• North American Basic Income Congress coming to Hamilton in 2018: http://basicincome.org/news/2017/09/dates-announced-2018-north-american-basic-income-guarantee-congress/

$15 and Fairness leader: Fight not over for higher minimum wage in Ontario:
https://torontoobserver.ca/2017/09/25/activist-urges-pro-worker-group-continue-fight/

• Some comments on the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario’s minimum wage commentary:
  http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/09/13/some-comments-on-the-financial-accountability-office-of-ontarios-minimum-wage-commentary/
• Not hiking minimum wages will marginalize workers and endanger Canada’s democracy: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2017/09/22/warren-not-hiking-minimum-wages-will-marginalize-workers-and-endanger-canadas-democracy
• Chamber of Commerce says $15 minimum wage will hurt women: https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7558772–15-minimum-wage-will-hurt-women-ontario-chamber-tells-businesses/
• CFIB says Liberals “need to do homework” on minimum wage: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/18/liberals-need-to-do-homework-on-minimum-wage
• Fraser Institute study says minimum wage hike will mean spike in unemployment: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/19/minimum-wage-hike-will-mean-spike-in-unemployment-study
• Conservative think-tank says North could get hit hard with minimum wage hike: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/north-could-get-hit-hard-wage-hike-will-see-job/article_fe8378a4-9ee2-11e7-93c9-0f2a209919ff.html
• Some Ontario farms could get minimum wage support, Wynne says: https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/daily/some-ontario-farms-could-get-minimum-wage-support-wynne-says
• Wynne says supports will ease transition but won’t back away from $15 minimum wage: http://www.1310news.com/2017/09/19/ontario-promises-to-help-small-business-farmers-cope-with-15-minimum-wage/
• No correlation between higher minimum wage and unemployment: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/no-correlation-between-higher-minimum-wage-and-unemployement/article_7fbc4d4a-9a58-11e7-8c08-77412b8ec854.html

New rights for the precariously employed:
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/author/sheldon-gordon/new-rights-for-the-precariously-employed-13670/

• Status update on Bill 148: globalworkplaceinsider.com/2017/09/status-update-on-bill-148-the-overhaul-of-ontarios-labour-and-employment-laws-continues/
• Bill 148 likely to change the landscape for temporary workers: https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/4645

Niagara Grape and Wine festivities coincide with Migrant Justice Event:
http://www.brockpress.com/2017/09/grape-and-wine-festivities-coincide-with-migrant-justice-event/

• BC Supreme Court certifies foreign-workers lawsuit:
  https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-supreme-court-certifies-foreign-workers-lawsuit/article36319696/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
• Caregivers hold rally seeking family reunification now:
  http://rabble.ca/news/2017/09/caregivers-hold-rally-seeking-family-reunification-now

Cities want Amazon’s HQ2 jobs, but what about its culture?:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/amazon-headquarters-work-culture-1.4285453

Many low-income Canadians who don’t file taxes lose out on benefits:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/09/18/many-low-income-canadians-don-t-file-taxes-lose-out-on-benefits.html

• Parents miss out on child benefits for lack of registration: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/parents-miss-child-benifits-1.4296309

WSIB to review more than 250 rejected General Electric plan claims in Peterborough:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/09/18/wsib-to-review-more-than-250-general-electric-plant-claims-in-peterborough.html

The National: A Living Wage: What if employers were to pay based on a workers’ need?:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2192805924

UN council to discuss report on anti-black racism in Canada:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/un-council-to-discuss-report-on-anti-black-racism-in-canada/article36376663/

Open Letter to Justin Trudeau: Give First Nations children an equal chance:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/justin-trudeau-open-letter-to-pm-give-first-nations-children-an-equal-chance/article36372720/

Ontario

Ontario to cover HIV prevention pill under public health plan:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/hiv-prep-coverage-1.4302184

Many nursing home residents dying from day-to-day neglect and abuse:
http://www.lfpress.com/2017/09/22/many-nursing-home-residents-dying-from-day-to-day-neglect-and-abuse-expert-say

Ontario’s free post-secondary initiative deserves to be emulated:
http://troymedia.com/2017/09/21/ontarios-free-post-secondary-initiative-deserves-to-be-emulated/

• Student aid overhaul: The new OSAP:
  https://www.thestar.com/life/insidersguide/2017/09/14/student-aid-overhaul–the-new-osap.html

Government bulletin: Ontario supporting skills training for social workers and social service workers:
https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2017/09/ontario-supporting-skills-training-for-social-workers-and-social-service-workers.html

Government release: Ontario expanding before- and after-school care for families:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2017/09/ontario-expanding-before–and-after-school-care-for-families.html

Government release: Ontario helping people understand workplace rights and responsibilities:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2017/09/ontario-helping-people-understand-workplace-rights-and-responsibilities.html

Government bulletin: Ontario releasing food security consultation: https://news.ontario.ca/prs/en/2017/09/ontario-releasing-food-security-consultation-feedback.html

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

ISAC Rates Sheet: OW and ODSP Rates and the OCB 2017:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?e=78146ddbd7&u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf90&id=e20216d4a0

Wellesley Institute: Thriving in the City: A Framework for Income and Health:
http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/publications/thriving-in-the-city-a-framework-for-income-and-health/

Public asked for input on customer service rules for Ontario energy utilities:
https://www.oeb.ca/newsroom/2017/public-asked-input-customer-service-rules-ontario-energy-utilities

Canadian Coalition for Tax Fairness:
https://coalitionfortaxfairness.ca/about-canadian-coalition-tax-fairness

Stats Can: Consumer Price Index, August 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170922/dq170922a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can Study: Labour market outcomes before and after acquisition of permanent residence by temporary foreign workers:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170921/dq170921g-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can: Employment Insurance, July 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170921/dq170921a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

• EI recipients jump in July: http://www.baystreet.ca/economiccommentary/1952/EI-Recipients-Jump-in-July

Government releases new EI premium rates, max insurable earnings for 2018:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/government-publishes-new-ei-premium-rates-maximum-insurable-earnings-for-2018-103776

Tamarack Institute: Shared Measurement: The why is clear, the how continues to develop:
http://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/shared-measurement-paper

Bridging the Gap: Designing a Canadian “what works” centre:
https://mowatcentre.ca/bridging-the-gap/

Around the Province

Number of people who are homeless in Windsor reaches “crisis” levels, says aid agency:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/windsor/windsor-s-homeless-population-reaches-crisis-levels-says-aid-agency-1.4295720

Hamilton politicians approve “ground-breaking” poverty reduction spending:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7569466-hamilton-politicians-approve-ground-breaking-poverty-reduction-spending/

• City will spend $1 million a year on Indigenous poverty and homelessness: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/indigenous-poverty-1.4298419

Low income, high rent: Two London families struggle to make ends meet:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/london/london-ontario-living-on-low-income-two-stories-1.4287379

Why is need so great if London’s booming? We asked those on front lines of poverty fight:
http://www.lfpress.com/2017/09/15/why-is-need-so-great-if-londons-booming-we-asked-those-on-front-lines-of-poverty-fight

Lakehead Social Planning Council and Prosper Canada providing financial counselling in Thunder Bay:
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2017/09/21/poverty-reduction-goal-thunder-bay-counselling-partnership/

Kitchener-Waterloo Region calling on participants for affordable transit pass study:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/grand-river-transit-affordable-pass-study-1.4294014

Oakville symposium focuses on poverty elimination:
https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7563214-oakville-symposium-focuses-on-poverty-elimination/

Adopt-a-Child program underway in Belleville:
https://www.insidebelleville.com/news-story/7567458-registration-is-underway-for-adopt-a-child-donations-needed/

A shocking amount of people are going hungry in Mississauga:
https://www.insauga.com/a-shocking-amount-of-people-are-going-hungry-in-mississauga

Creating more affordable housing must be a priority: Toronto Mayor John Tory and Councillor Ana Bailao:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/09/15/creating-more-affordable-housing-must-be-a-priority-tory-bailao.html

What comes next when Toronto’s Seaton House closes?:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/09/25/what-comes-next-when-seaton-house-closes.html

There’s still work to be done, say former Toronto Ten City residents:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/09/22/theres-still-work-to-be-done-say-former-tent-city-residents.html

Toronto councillors to landlords: Keep the air conditioning on:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/09/20/councillors-to-landlords-keep-the-air-conditioning-on.html

New Toronto Community Housing CEO:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/09/21/toronto-community-housing-ceo-kathy-milsom-says-shes-ready-for-the-challenges-ahead.html

Across the Country

New Nova Scotia child-care study redundant and too late, say critics:
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4287915

Cape Breton food bank holding food drive:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/news/local/2017/9/21/new-waterford-food-bank-holding-food-drive-sept–30.html

Quebec workers can expect a 2.6% pay hike: Employers group:
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/quebec-workers-can-expect-a-2-6-pay-hike-employers-group

Are Quebec pensioners the poorest in the country?:
https://sherbrooktimes.com/quebec-lagging-behind/522

Fast-food restaurants closing as Quebec unemployment rate nears all-time low:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-labour-fast-food-1.4298476

Single mom homeless after subsidy shrinks, Manitoba Housing rent increases:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/single-mom-homeless-manitoba-housing-1.4295139

“Minimum wage is a poverty wage”: Rally calls for hike to $15 in Manitoba:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-minimum-wage-rally-1.4297636

EI beneficiaries drop in Saskatchewan for July:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3761428/employment-insurance-beneficiaries-saskatchewan-saskatoon-regina/

Notley’s Alberta out-lefts the Left Coast on minimum wage:
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/15/on-minimum-wage-notley-ndp-out-lefts-the-left-coast

Campaign pushing BC to a $15 minimum wage focuses on the question of a timeline:
https://www.straight.com/news/969526/campaign-pushing-bc-15-minimum-wage-focuses-question-timeline

High wage aspirations in BC demand better productivity fundamentals:
https://www.biv.com/article/2017/9/high-wage-aspirations-demand-better-productivity-f/

BC minimum wage goes up 50 cents an hour:
https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/206707/Lowest-earners-get-a-raise

Op-Ed: Strengthened safety nets will reduce poverty in BC:
http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-strengthened-safety-nets-will-reduce-poverty-1.22944675

Vancouver byelection candidate wants $174 million “mansion tax” to fund housing for people in poverty:
http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/mansion-tax-proposal

Large-scale farm created amid poverty, pavement in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/large-scale-farm-created-amid-poverty-pavement-in-vancouvers-downtown-eastside

Big changes coming as Victoria, BC cracks down on short-term rentals:
https://www.cheknews.ca/big-changes-coming-victoria-moves-forward-short-term-rental-crackdown-369370/

Yukon College gets $4.6 million to help Indigenous students:
http://www.yukon-news.com/news/yukon-college-gets-4-6-m-to-help-indigenous-students/

National

Greyhound service cuts leave rural residents out in the cold:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/greyhound-service-cuts-leave-rural-residents-out-in-the-cold/article36254949/?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com

The law says refugee claims must be heard in 60 days. So why are people waiting 16 months?
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/09/20/the-law-says-refugee-claims-must-be-heard-in-60-days-so-why-are-asylum-seekers-waiting-16-months.html

NAFTA Round Three: As talks restart in Ottawa, Canadians prioritize labour standards, Chapter 19:
http://mailchi.mp/angusreid/nafta-round-three-as-talks-restart-in-ottawa-canadians-prioritize-labour-standards-chapter-19?e=9e305f90ee

Canada posts $17.98 billion federal deficit in 2016-2017:
http://www.bnn.ca/canada-posts-17-8-billion-federal-deficit-in-2016-17-1.860399

Why Canadian shouldn’t worry about inflation – yet:
http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/why-canadians-shouldnt-worry-about-inflation-yet/

International

Despite rosy data, millions of Americans languish in poverty:
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/351259-despite-rosy-data-millions-of-americans-languish-in-poverty

US Libertarian mayoral candidate eyeing zero-dollar minimum wage:
http://www.twincities.com/2017/09/24/libertarian-mayoral-candidate-eyeing-zero-dollar-minimum-wage/

Target will raise its minimum wage to $11 per hour, promising $15 by 2020:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/25/target-to-raise-its-hourly-minimum-wage.html

If the US minimum wage increased, how would long-term care providers and staff be affected?:
https://www.rti.org/news/if-minimum-wage-increased-10-12-or-15-how-would-long-term-care-providers-and-staff-be-affected

Majority of social landlords say UK welfare policy harms efforts to tackle homelessness:
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/majority-of-social-landlords-say-welfare-policy-harms-homelessness-work-52476

Women in the UK more likely to be paid less than minimum wage:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41305033

Poorest London children face health risks from toxic air, poverty and obesity:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/19/poorest-london-children-face-health-risks-toxic-air-poverty-obesity

Cashless welfare cards rolled out in Australia:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/cashless-welfare-cards-rolled-out-in-bundaberg-and-hervey-bay/news-story/073750a8d266482e9f651517405cf9f7

Cashless welfare card report does not support ministers’ claims, researcher says:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/18/cashless-welfare-card-report-does-not-support-ministers-claims-researcher-says

Proposed Australia welfare bill will push people further into poverty. We have to stand together against it:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/18/the-proposed-welfare-bill-will-push-people-further-into-poverty-we-have-to-stand-together-against-it

Poverty, illness, and living on less than the minimum wage in New Zealand:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/96992301/poverty-illness-and-living-on-less-than-the-minimum-wage

Welfare card for low income people in Thailand delayed:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1327807/welfare-card-for-poor-distribution-delayed

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