NETWORK NEWS
September 16, 2021
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ONN’s Policy Priorities 2021-22
ONN works to create a public policy environment that helps nonprofits thrive. Our vision: A strong and resilient sector, thriving communities, and a dynamic province. Read about how we’re approaching our policy work, the sector's opportunities and challenges and the changing landscape in this blog penned by Sané Dube, ONN Policy Committee Chair and Liz Sutherland, Director of Policy. The full outline of our policy priorities for 2021-22 is now available.
Women’s Voices on Working in Ontario’s Francophone Nonprofits
ONN organized consultations with women working in Francophone nonprofits, working alongside partners, Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l'Ontario and Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario to gather participants from across the province. We convened two distinct focus groups: one with senior leaders and middle management, and the other with frontline workers. We asked Francophone women about motivations, access to benefits, discrimination, compensation, advancement and much more. The results were eye-opening, hearing about their experiences, their aspirations and the unique challenges they face as francophone women workers in the sector. Reports are available in French and English.
New podcast episode on the Care Economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance and challenges of Canada’s care economy. Listen to ONN’s Policy Advisor, Pamela Uppal and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Senior Researcher, Katherine Scott discuss what policy changes we need to protect care sectors, care workers, and care receivers.
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Provincial Policy Updates
Provincial vaccine mandate announcement
Some nonprofit workplaces and spaces will be affected by the Ontario government's announcement on September 1 that community members aged 12 and up will have to show proof of COVID vaccination or medical exemption at certain locations. Regulations under the Re-opening Ontario Act were released on September 14 and ONN attended a technical briefing. Learn more here. ONN will share more details as they become available.
Ontario Data Authority in the works
The Ontario Digital Service recently held a consultation on a proposed Ontario Data Authority, first announced in Building a Digital Ontario. ONN worked with our partners at Powered By Data to respond.
Data Policy Coalition responds to provincial white paper on privacy legislation
ONN engaged the perspectives of the Data Policy Coalition to respond to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services’ white paper, “Modernizing Privacy in Ontario.” Read our technical submission here and expect new privacy legislation this fall or winter.
Details released on Digital ID for Ontarians
The Ontario government has announced further details on a digital ID for Ontarians for use in situations like proving age-of-majority, applying for government assistance, opening a bank account, or accessing vaccination records. According to the consultation document, employers could use the ID system in future hiring processes, opening accounts, or verifying customer ID.
Provincial paid sick days program to be extended
The Ontario government has announced that it will extend its temporary paid sick days program (administered through WSIB) until December 31, 2021.
Public consultation shortcut enabled by Bill 197 found unlawful
The Ontario Divisional Court has determined that the Government of Ontario was unlawful when it failed to comply with the public consultation requirements of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights and passed Bill 197 changes to the Planning Act regarding Minister’s Zoning Orders without consultation.
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Federal Policy Updates
Election spurs nonprofit advocacy and voter engagement
With a federal election only days away, nonprofit coalition campaigns are in full swing. The Democratic Engagement Exchange has great Voter Engagement tools. ONN’s federal election priorities and our partners’ tools and resources can be found here and don’t forget to read our op-ed in the Globe and Mail on why child care is a defining election issue. You can also take inspiration from US nonprofits on engaging residents as voters. And check out Canadian Community Economic Development Network’s summary of parties’ platform commitments that prioritize community economies.
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Webinar series: Building Just and Sustainable Communities
The Toronto Community Benefits Network is hosting a webinar series on building just and sustainable communities through community benefit agreements, anchor institutions, and other social procurement strategies.
The “freedom to fail” in Black-led community wealth building
A great blog post from Rodney Foxwoth of Common Future, formerly BALLE (US), on Black-led community wealth building and the importance of experimentation and learning.
Linking environment, health, and industry in Northern Ontario
The Canadian Environmental Law Association has shared the recording and slides from a recent webinar highlighting the connections between environment, health, and industry in Northern Ontario, and demonstrates how you can use the law to prevent harm to you, your community, and the environment.
Free shareable art program
We learned about a great initiative from the Alliance for Healthier Communities: The “Broken Teacup Society” shareable art program. It is an online collection of programming ideas available for free to health and social service organizations across Ontario. The goal is to make art more accessible to everyone, share ideas and help community organizations provide arts programming to the communities they serve.
New report: Racial gap for seniors’ access to workplace pensions
According to a recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the average retirement income of white seniors in Canada is 25% higher than Indigenous seniors and 32% higher than racialized seniors. One significant reason for this gap is unequal access to workplace pensions, resulting in a greater reliance on government benefits. Learn more about this topic - and solutions - at a conference session presented by our pension plan partner, OPTrust at Nonprofit Driven in October.
Funding the intersections of social issues and climate change
Check out this insightful blog post from NPC in the UK about how funders of social issues will need to address the climate emergency through their funding and investment practices to support those most affected through to an equitable, sustainable recovery.
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Government Consultations
Regulatory consultations on child welfare
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has launched regulatory consultations under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
Regulatory consultation for home and community care
Feedback is sought on the expected regulatory burden of the proposed regulatory framework under Bill 175, The Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, 2020.
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Funding Opportunities
The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is now accepting applications. The DMAF program is intended to support public infrastructure projects designed to mitigate current and future climate-related risks and disasters triggered by climate change, such as floods, wildland fires, droughts, and seismic events. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, municipal governments, and Indigenous governments.
Rural Economic Development program open until October 1.
Additional funding opportunities, ranging from grants to advance access to justice to loan financing for nonprofit social enterprises, can be found in the ONN Resource Centre.
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