More on the Social Assistance Review Final Report
A new FAQ has been posted on the Ministry’s website – important stuff on how government intends to respond:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/social_assistance_review_faq.aspx#implement
The Commissioners do an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ontario+welfare+system+broken/7460570/story.html
Star editorial:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/1276745–ontario-welfare-reform-plan-is-on-the-right-track
The Record’s D’Amato says it’s time for the Liberals to make it right:
http://www.therecord.com/opinion/columns/article/825327–d-amato-a-chance-for-the-ontario-liberals-to-make-it-right
Toronto Sun – with Milloy comments:
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/24/increase-ontario-welfare-rates-report-urges
CBC Sudbury:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/story/2012/10/25/sby-social-assistance-review.html
Margaret Wente weighs in:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/make-welfare-work-again/article4648077/
NDP response:
http://ontariondp.com/en/action-needed-on-social-assistance-review-recommendations-ndp
Canada Without Poverty:
http://www.cwp-csp.ca/2012/10/report-supports-transformation-of-welfare-in-ontario/
Ottawa ACORN launches video:
http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr_news/120500204/tonight-fix-social-assistance-now-acorn-film-launch
- See the teaser here: http://www.acorncanada.org/ottawa-living-wage/642-video-ottawa-acorn-members-on-disability-rights
More on Community Start Up
City of Ottawa faces $9 million shortfall that is unlikely to be replaced:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Chianello+Questions+remain+whether+city+cover+Ontario+social+services+shortfall/7429423/story.html
Kitchener advocate says CSUMB elimination will have “devastating consequences”:
http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/824466–eliminating-social-assistance-startup-program-can-have-devastating-consequences-anti-poverty-advocate-says
London losing at least $1 million:
http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/2012/10/province-making-it-more-difficult-to-help-londons-most-vulnerable/
The Home Repairs Benefit was also cut in Budget 2012 – this was for people who own their own homes and are on OW or ODSP. The government says people can use the new Ontario Renovates program instead. But this story shows at least one problem with the Ontario Renovates program – “New programs like Ontario Renovates that were introduced in their place don’t match the previous levels of funding that have been slashed”:
http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/news/article/1520130–single-mother-of-three-denied-grant-to-fix-mobile-home
Jane-Finch Action Against Poverty video:
http://toronto.mediacoop.ca/video/jane-finch-org-rallies-against-poverty-interview-nomanzland-community-art/13908
Ontario Politics
Leadership Convention to be held Jan 25-27 at Maple Leaf Gardens – deadline to run is Nov 23:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1278874–ontario-liberals-ontario-liberal-leadership-convention-coming-to-maple-leaf-gardens
Chris Bentley won’t run for leader and won’t run again for MPP:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/10/26/toronto-chris-bentley.html
Will Ontarians remember prorogation?:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1278653–cohn-prorogation-may-look-like-prologue-come-the-new-year
Reports and Other Cool Stuff
Social Planning Toronto, the Alliance for a Poverty-Free Toronto, and sister alliances release 53 riding profiles – poverty goes beyond the downtown core:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/1277620–poverty-pockets-growing-in-suburbs
- Mississauga coverage: http://www.mississauga.com/news/article/1525356–malton-cooksville-among-poorest-communities
Region of Peel launches Poverty Reduction Plan:
http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/article/1524198–peel-launches-poverty-reduction-plan
- Here’s the report: http://www.peelregion.ca/social-services/pprsc/index.htm
Canadian Index of Wellbeing report released – steep decline during recession:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/1275535–quality-of-life-index-shows-steep-drop-in-recession-s-aftermath
- See the report here: https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/
Citizens for Public Justice issue Poverty Trends Report Card:
http://www.cpj.ca/en/poverty-trends-scorecard-report-now-online
- The report says single unattached people face highest growth in poverty: http://www.catholicregister.org/news/canada/item/15294-unattached-individuals-face-growing-poverty-rates-says-study