Media & Policy News: 1 December 2017
Sorry for the long hiatus. Hopefully workload will allow more regular updates in future! – Ed.
Top Stories
Income Security Reform: A Roadmap for Change
Proposed welfare reform plan includes 22% boost to payments:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/02/proposed-welfare-reform-plan-includes-21-boost-to-payments.html
On welfare reform, Ontario urged to “just do it”:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/02/proposed-welfare-reform-plan-includes-21-boost-to-payments.html
Editorial: Ontario should move quickly on welfare benefits:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/11/04/ontario-should-move-quickly-on-welfare-benefits-editorial.html
Panel recommends public drug, dental benefits for low-income Ontarians:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/panel-recommends-public-drug-dental-coverage-for-low-income-ontarians-105854
Op-Ed: It’s time Ontario adopted this Roadmap for Change:
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7914568-it-s-time-ontario-adopted-this-roadmap-for-change/
Province is promising action on poverty:
https://www.catholicregister.org/item/26346-province-is-promising-action-on-poverty
Op-Ed: There is a prescription for poverty’s punishing impact on health in Ontario:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2017/11/14/there-is-a-prescription-for-povertys-punishing-impact-on-health-in-ontario.html
Government needs to act quickly on poverty report:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7961201-government-needs-to-act-quickly-on-poverty-report/
Hamilton anti-poverty activists demand government increase social assistance rates:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7964558-hamilton-anti-poverty-activists-demand-government-increase-social-assistance-rates/
Government is looking for feedback by January 5: https://www.ontario.ca/page/income-security-reform#section-5
WEBINAR – We’re hosting an info webinar about the Roadmap on Friday, December 8 at 10:30am:
National Housing Strategy
Justin Trudeau’s plan to make housing great again:
http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/justin-trudeaus-plan-to-make-housing-great-again/
ACTO News Release: Canada responds to years of pressure from community advocates by recognizing housing as a human right:
https://righttohousing.wordpress.com/2017/11/24/canada-responds-to-years-of-pressure-from-community-advocates-by-recognizing-housing-as-a-human-right/
Ready and Waiting: It’s time for a rights-based housing strategy in Canada:
https://www.acto.ca/ready-and-waiting-its-time-for-a-rights-based-housing-strategy-in-canada/?platform=hootsuite
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness: Can a National Housing Strategy prevent homelessness?
http://mailchi.mp/edu/can-a-national-housing-strategy-prevent-homelessness-in-canada?e=6da7d6f883
Average rent for 2-bedroom apartment in Canada hits $989, up 2.7% in past year:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cmhc-apartment-renting-1.4422568?cmp=rss
Rental vacancy rates in the GTA lowest in 16 years:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/28/rental-vacancy-rates-lowest-in-16-years.html
New initiative to boost purpose built rental development:
http://www.mortgagebrokernews.ca/news/new-initiative-to-boost-purpose-built-rental-development-234746.aspx
Ontario Association of Food Banks report
Ontario sees rise in single-person households using food banks:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/oafb-hunger-report-1.4418997
Food bank use continues to rise:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/food-bank-use-continues-to-rise/article_547d2ce6-d453-11e7-a783-2b3fe63b639d.html
Food bank use pushed by costly housing, social assistance shortfall: Report:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/hunger-report-2017-ontario-food-banks-1.4418302
A closer look at the food issue in Waterloo:
https://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/7970655-a-closer-look-at-the-food-issue-in-our-region/
Food bank use up in Sudbury: Report:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/11/28/food-bank-use-up-in-sudbury-report
News release: Almost 500,000 Ontarians needed a food bank last year due to rising cost of housing and insufficient social assistance rates:
https://righttohousing.wordpress.com/2017/11/24/canada-responds-to-years-of-pressure-from-community-advocates-by-recognizing-housing-as-a-human-right/
Campaign 2000 report cards
Release: 2017 report card calls for federal leadership to build a poverty-free Canada:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/2017-report-card-calls-for-federal-leadership-to-build-a-poverty-free-canada-659038013.html
Ontario urged to make ending child poverty an election issue:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/21/ontario-urged-to-make-ending-child-poverty-an-election-issue.html
Manitoba gets failing grade for “nightmare” rates of child poverty:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/child-poverty-report-card-manitoba-1.4412431
No explanation for failure to address poverty in Manitoba:
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/no-explanation-for-failure-to-address-poverty-460196783.html
BC’s Cariboo Chilcotin child poverty rate 23.2%
https://www.wltribune.com/news/cariboo-chilcotin-child-poverty-rate-23-2-per-cent/
Little change to child poverty in BC:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/11/21/Little-Change-Child-Poverty-in-BC/
Coalition pushes for action on poverty for 4.8 million Canadians:
https://www.catholicregister.org/item/26413-coalition-pushes-for-action-on-poverty-for-4-8-million-canadians
PEI report card: Elected officials are out of touch:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/opinion–elected-officials-out-of-touch-165494/
Basic Income
Ontario seeks more applicants for basic income pilot:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/basic-income-pilot-applications-1.4418448
Province tries new tactic to get Hamiltonians involved in basic income pilot project:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3888036/province-tries-new-tactic-to-get-hamiltonians-involved-in-basic-income-pilot-project/
ABC News: Canada tests “basic income” effect on poverty amid lost jobs:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/canada-tests-basic-income-effect-poverty-amid-lost-51450495
Note: This Associated Press article was also published by CNBC, CTV, The Guardian and the Toronto Star
Canadian province trials basic income for thousands of residents:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-universal-basic-income-ontario-trial-citizens-residents-poverty-unemployment-benefits-a8082576.html
Bill 148
Government release: Ontario’s legislation to create fair workplaces and better jobs receives Royal Assent:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2017/11/ontarios-legislation-to-create-fair-workplaces-and-better-jobs-receives-royal-assent.html
Sweeping changes to Ontario workplace law: Fair Workplaces Better Jobs Act passed by legislature:
https://www.stikeman.com/en-ca/kh/canadian-employment-labour-pension-law/Sweeping-Changes-to-Ontario-Workplace-Law-Fair-Workplaces-Better-Jobs-Act
Bill 148 receives royal assent, significantly altering labour and employment laws in Ontario:
http://www.casselsbrock.com/CBNewsletter/Bill_148_Receives_Royal_Assent__Significantly_Altering_Labour_and_Employment_Laws_in_Ontario
Election 2018: A battle over #Fightfor15:
http://www.brockpress.com/2017/11/election-2018-a-battle-over-fightfor15/
Wynne’s tiny tax cut won’t save small businesses from $15 minimum wage:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/john-laforet/wynnes-tiny-tax-cut-wont-save-small-businesses-from-15-minimum-wage_a_23290708/
Get ready to pay more as Windsor-Essex businesses prepare for minimum wage hike:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/get-ready-to-pay-more-as-windsor-essex-businesses-prepare-for-minimum-wage-hike-1.4427476
Wage hike may hurt North, says Northern Ontario Party:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/11/26/wage-hike-may-hurt-north-nop
London’s plans to offset minimum wage hike:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/city-treasurer-cost-minimum-wage-hikes-1.4421234
Mississauga business community still not sold on Ontario minimum wage increase:
https://www.mississauga.com/news-story/7962538-mississauga-business-community-still-not-sold-on-ontario-minimum-wage-increase/
$15 minimum wage will be a boon to our economy:
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7968560–15-minimum-wage-will-be-a-boon-for-our-economy/
Other top stories
Metro Morning: Food insecurity: Are food bank fundraisers helpful?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/food-insecurity-1.4424262
$175 million in federal money for working poor goes unclaimed:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/working-income-low-poor-canada-revenue-agency-tax-benefits-1.4423280
Province to cover daycare fee hikes due to wage bump:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/24/province-to-cover-daycare-fee-hikes-due-to-wage-bump.html
Penalties when workers die on the job don’t go far enough, say labour groups, families:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/workplace-fatalities-penalties-1.4421240
Single mom has battled the Canada Revenue Agency for six months over Canada Child Benefit eligibility:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/single-mom-says-she-s-battled-the-cra-for-6-months-over-child-benefit-with-no-result-1.4421997
Live at a tony address? Taxman targeting Canada’s richest neighbourhoods to nab tax cheats:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tax-offshore-havens-canada-revenue-agency-postal-code-project-avoidance-wealthy-1.4416295
“Our collective shame”: Trudeau delivers historic apology to LGBTQ2S Canadians:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/homosexual-offences-exunge-records-1.4422546
Ontario
December and January payment dates for OW and ODSP:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/index.aspx
What do I owe? Hydro One unveils simplified electricity bills:
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7972043–what-do-i-owe-hydro-one-unveils-simplified-electricity-bills/
Ontario courts looking to move beyond the fax machine era: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/11/29/ontario-courts-looking-to-move-beyond-the-fax-machine-era.html
Government release: Ontario launches new tool to check if prescriptions are covered with OHIP+:
https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2017/11/ontario-launches-new-tool-to-check-if-prescriptions-are-covered-with-ohip.html
Government release: Ontario adds 43,500 jobs in November:
https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2017/12/ontario-adds-43500-jobs-in-november.html
Ontario Election 2018
Ontario PCs “People’s Guarantee” policy document:
https://www.ontariopc.ca/peoples_guarantee
Ontario NDP’s “Vision for Ontario”:
https://www.ontariondp.ca/vision
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Province-wide Injured Workers Outreach Blitz: Support the struggle for a fair WSIB:
https://www.facebook.com/events/526224984404754/
Stats Can: Labour in Canada: Key results from the 2016 Census:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/171129/dq171129b-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Labour force survey, November 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/171201/dq171201a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Income and mobility of immigrants, 2015:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/171127/dq171127a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, Sept 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/171130/dq171130b-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
December 4: What the papers say: Research and reporting on workers’ compensation in the precarious economy:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/what-the-papers-say-research-and-reporting-on-workers-compensation-tickets-39706922474
December 12 / 13: Two day ODSP Action Coalition Community Assembly for people on ODSP and service providers in Scarborough:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/odsp-action-coalition-scarborough-community-assembly-registration-39885280949?aff=ebdsorderfblightbox
Homeless Hub newsletter:
http://mailchi.mp/edu/yellowknifes-plan-to-end-homelessness-2883405?e=6da7d6f883
Mike Babcock: Mental illness has “nothing to do” with mental toughness:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7967332–hamiltonforall-campaign-to-make-city-more-welcoming-to-newcomers/#.Whz-8qjOiao.twitter
How big a threat is household debt to Canada’s economy? We’ll learn more this week:
http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/canadas-debt-problem-gets-helping-hand-from-economic-boom-1
Around the Province
A penniless Scarborough woman becomes a voice for Canada’s poor:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/opinion-story/7915270-edges-of-toronto-a-penniless-woman-becomes-a-voice-for-canada-s-poor/
#HamiltonforAll campaign to make city more welcoming to newcomers:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7967332–hamiltonforall-campaign-to-make-city-more-welcoming-to-newcomers/#.Whz-8qjOiao.twitter
Nutritious food unaffordable for too many Hamiltonians:
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7970833-nutritious-food-unaffordable-for-too-many-hamiltonians/
$1.3 million being spent in London on poverty reduction programs:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3879976/ontario-government-spending-1-3m-on-london-poverty-reduction-programs/
Toronto budget balanced on hot housing market but omits programs for improved transit, poverty reduction:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/11/30/toronto-budget-balanced-on-hot-housing-market-but-omits-programs-for-improved-transit-poverty-reduction.html
Food banks and soup kitchens not solving food insecurity problem – North Bay panel:
http://www.nugget.ca/2017/12/01/food-banks-soup-kitchens-not-solving-food-insecurity-problem—panel
Healthy food for a month would put some low-income Londoners in debt: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/healthy-groceries-debt-1.4416922
Across the Country
City of Edmonton launches online tool to help residents access government benefits:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3883996/edmonton-benefits-tax-credit-refund-support-government-online-tool/
“A cut to the most vulnerable”: Day program for disabled adults in Quebec drops older clients:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/a-cut-to-the-most-vulnerable-day-program-for-disabled-adults-drops-older-clients-1.4407806
Rising numbers of people on PEI claim they are homeless:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/rising-number-of-people-on-pei-claim-they-are-homeless-165916/
Homelessness continues to underline poverty in Cape Breton:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/opinion/jim-guy-homelessness-continues-to-underline-poverty-in-cape-breton-166199/
BC workers seeking $15 an hour minimum wage tell of struggles:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/workers-seeking-15-an-hour-minimum-wage-tell-of-struggles-1.23108629
Newest data shows poverty on the rise in NL, but critics say it’s worse than indicated:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/poverty-data-stats-gathering-place-1.4419800
Parents urged to file taxes to get Alberta Child Benefit:
http://morinvillenews.com/2017/11/27/parents-urged-to-file-taxes-to-get-alberta-child-benefit/
Saskatoon landlord registry would protect vulnerable renters, non-profit says:
http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/landlord-registry-would-protect-vulnerable-renters-non-profit-says
National
Autism group calls on CRA to make applying for disability tax credit easier:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/autism-group-calls-on-cra-to-make-applying-for-disability-tax-credit-easier-1.3701665
Immigration minister vows to change the law that bars immigrants with disabilities and illnesses:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/11/22/federal-government-urged-to-scrap-ban-on-immigrants-with-disabilities-and-illnesses.html
New mortgage stress tests could disqualify 10% of buyers: Bank of Canada:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/new-mortgage-stress-tests-could-disqualify-10-of-buyers-bank-of-canada/article37109981/?click=sf_globefb
International
UK faces longest fall in living standards on record:
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2017-11-23/u-k-faces-longest-fall-in-living-standards-since-records-began
UK’s George Osborne wants money to fight the poverty he caused? He has no shame:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/30/george-osborne-poverty-chancellor
It’s time for the world’s wealthiest to stop hiding their profits and start paying their taxes:
https://www.alternet.org/economy/time-end-fiscal-impunity
Minimum wage hike or tax cut: What’s the best way to get money into low-income Australian earners’ pockets:
https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/27-11-2017/minimum-wage-hike-or-tax-cut-whats-the-best-way-to-get-money-into-low-income-earners-pockets/
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