Top Stories
Delay, denial and debt mark WSIB struggle for man who lost his memory in a workplace accident:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/03/12/delay-denial-and-debt-mark-wsib-struggle-for-man-who-lost-his-memory-in-a-workplace-accident.html
- BC to end clawback of workers compensation payments to families on social assistance where a parent has died on the job, and has ended clawback of CPP orphan’s benefit: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/clawback-of-worksafe-b-c-benefits-paid-to-children-will-end-minister-1.2198100
New Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy a “transformation” of Ontario’s housing and homelessness system:
https://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2016/03/ontario-transforming-housing-and-homelessness-system.html
- Legislation coming to boost affordable housing, but details unavailable: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-affordable-housing-1.3490501
- Province to green light inclusionary zoning: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/03/13/ontario-to-green-light-inclusionary-zoning.html
- Pushback from developers and some local councillors expected on inclusionary zoning: http://www.lfpress.com/2016/03/14/ontario-putting-178-million-over-three-years-into-affordable-housing
- Communities of colour cautiously optimistic about Ontario’s housing strategy update: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/communities-colour-cautiously-optimistic-about-ontarios-long-term-affordable-housing-2106189.htm
- Rental housing industry supports portable housing benefit, but wants further discussion on inclusionary zoning: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ontarios-rental-housing-industry-supports-portable-housing-benefit-seeks-partnership-and-consultation-for-a-balanced-approach-to-framework-and-what-comes-next-572118701.html
- Star editorial: Inclusionary zoning a “breakthrough” on affordable housing: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/03/15/a-breakthrough-on-affordable-housing-editorial.html
- Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa welcomes new tools: http://ottawastart.com/alliance-to-end-homelessness-ottawa-welcomes-new-tools-within-provincial-long-term-affordable-strategy-and-calls-for-quick-action/
Trudeau says Tuesday’s federal budget will return OAS eligibility to 65 and make investments in “unsexy” infrastructure projects: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-economy-bloomberg-new-york-1.3495331
- Infrastructure program will focus on desperately needed but “unsexy” projects: http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/03/17/early-unsexy-infrastructure-projects-will-do-little-for-productivity-trudeau.html
- People who are homeless and their advocates expect help in Tuesday’s budget: http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/03/16/homeless-and-their-advocates-expect-help-solutions-in-federal-budget.html
- Sources say feds will boost their share of funding to get local infrastructure projects off the ground: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/03/17/ottawa-ready-to-boost-funding-formula-to-municipalities-sources-say.html
- Will 18-month parental leave become reality? http://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/other/will-18-month-parental-leave-become-reality-78399
- Coalition for Healthy School Food hopes for billion dollar Universal Healthy School Food Program: http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/a-billion-dollar-request-for-a-universal-school-food-program-1.2812291
- Pension funds urge government to “think big” with infrastructure investments: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-03-16/pension-funds-urge-trudeau-to-think-big-on-infrastructure
- Goar: CD Howe Institute offers four priorities for the federal budget: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/03/18/four-priorities-for-the-federal-budget-goar.html
- Worth Repeating: CCPA’s Alternative Federal Budget says it’s time to move on reducing poverty and growing the economy responsibly: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/alternative-federal-budget-2016
Shift to up-front student aid in Ontario to be celebrated:
http://www.troymedia.com/2016/03/14/shift-front-student-aid-celebrated/
- But Ontario government facing criticism over deceptive “free” tuition announcement: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-facing-criticism-over-deceiving-free-tuition-proposal/article29267864/
Ontario’s minimum wage to increase with inflation to $11.40 in October:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2016/03/province-increasing-minimum-wage-on-october-1.html
- Wage growth in Canada has been sick for years: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/wage-growth-in-canada-has-stagnated-for-years-new-measure-finds/article29216591/
Poverty and inequality fuelling suicide crisis in First Nations communities:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/aboriginal/poverty-inequality-fueling-suicide-crisis-1.3487028
- Saskatchewan First Nations declare crisis: http://www.eaglefeathernews.com/health/index.php?detail=1960
Parliamentary committee urges federal government to explore guaranteed minimum income:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/03/11/explore-idea-of-guaranteed-minimum-income-parliamentary-committee-says.html
- Ontario floats basic income to ease poverty; advocates say care must be taken: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/charles-sousa-guaranteed-income-1.3490107
- Premier Wynne says pilot a long way off, but officials are working to bring advice to Cabinet: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/03/17/wynne-touts-basic-income-pilot-project-to-help-poor.html
- Sarnia Lambton advocates say basic income test should come to their community, but say the devil will be in the details: http://www.theobserver.ca/2016/03/14/local-anti-poverty-advocates-supportive-of-proposed-provincial-strategy
- Should basic income be tested in Niagara?:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/currencies/loonie-surges-in-wake-of-fed-decision/article29263410/?click=sf_globefb
- Windsor leaders join chorus of communities asking to be site for basic income test: http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/leaders-say-windsor-the-perfect-place-to-test-guaranteed-incomes
- Broadbent Blog: Progressives and the basic income debate: http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/jonathansas/progressives_guaranteed_income_debate
- Guaranteed minimum income could be problematic, warns advocate: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/guaranteed-minimum-income-could-be-problematic-warns-poverty-advocate-1.3493805
- Four questions you probably have about basic income: http://www.moneysense.ca/news/4-questions-you-probably-have-about-basic-income/
Saskatchewan unveils Poverty Reduction Strategy with 50 in 10 pledge:
http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saskatchewan-unveils-plan-to-reduce-poverty-including-more-housing-health-care
- Community not happy about lack of substance and new initiatives: http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/community-not-happy-with-provinces-poverty-reduction-strategy
Legal Aid Ontario invests $3.3 million in 54 community legal clinics:
http://legalaid.on.ca/en/news/newsarchive/2016-03-15_clinic-funding-announcement.asp#background
Ontario
Survivors of sexual violence to get free legal advice in Ontario pilot program:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/in-a-canadian-first-survivors-of-sexual-violence-will-get-free-legal-advice-in-ontario-pilot-program
- Details on the program and information for lawyers who want to take part: https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/ovss/ila.php
Survivors of domestic and sexual violence can now break leases more easily and quickly:
http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/survivors-of-domestic-and-sexual-violence-in-ontario-can-now-break-leases-more-easily
Legal Aid Ontario outlines strategy to help clients with mental health disabilities:
http://legalaid.on.ca/en/news/newsarchive/2016-03-11_Mental-Health-Strategy.asp
Ryerson program works to connect job seekers with disabilities with employers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/ryerson-magnet-disabled-employment-1.3491098
Private vs. public: The battle for Ontario’s health care system:
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/03/17/private-vs-public-the-battle-for-ontarios-health-care-system/
Reports, Events, Campaigns, and Other Good Things
OCBCC: Sign the open letter to Kathleen Wynne to protest negative child care regulation changes:
http://www.childcareontario.org/open_letter_to_premier_kathleen_wynne_on_ontario_s_child_care_regulations
BC study shows welfare recipients seen as “immoral” for ethical purchases like organic food:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/people-think-welfare-recipients-are-immoral-for-buying-organic_us_56e6c5fbe4b065e2e3d66d1f?1458050661=&
March 21: Racism Free Ontario Forum:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/racism-free-ontario-forum-tickets-22176647951#add-to-calendar-modal
Fraser Institute report says energy poverty is rising in Canada:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/15/energy-poverty-rising-in-canada
Study shows job seekers resort to “resume whitening” to get a food in the door:
http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/03/17/jobseekers-resort-to-resum-whitening-to-get-a-foot-in-the-door-study-shows.html
Around the Province
Simcoe food bank marks 25 years after starting as temporary, stop-gap measure:
http://www.simcoereformer.ca/2016/03/09/food-bank-going-strong-after-25-years
Windsor groups draw up new “battle plans” for war on poverty:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/new-battle-plans-being-drawn-up-for-windsors-war-on-poverty
Healthy food out of reach in Thunder Bay:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/local/healthy-food-out-of-reach-for-some/article_3d6a9a84-ea62-11e5-a76f-d3ebdb11d95d.html
Kingston Independent Living Centre forced to get creative with funding to continue services:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/03/14/kingston-centre-gets-creative-with-fundraising
Thousands of Toronto Housing units could close due to lack of cash for repairs:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/subsidized-housing-tch-federal-budget-1.3487070
Southwest Ontario legal clinics band together on Legal Health Check-Up pilot project:
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6387891-halton-community-legal-services-leading-the-way/
Sudbury group pushes for a boost to the minimum wage:
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Regional-News/sudbury/2016/03/Sudbury-group-pushes-for-boost-to-minimum-wage.aspx
Across the Country
Saskatchewan promises policy review after two men who are homeless given bus tickets to BC: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/sask-promises-policy-review-after-two-homeless-men-given-tickets-to-b-c-1.2814084
Saskatchewan election issues 2016: Poverty:
http://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-election-issues-2016-poverty
- Saskatchewan anti-poverty groups want political parties to respond: http://globalnews.ca/news/2582882/poverty-is-a-human-rights-violation-saskatchewan-anti-poverty-groups-want-political-parties-to-respond/
- Groups want social assistance minimum payment increased: http://regina.ctvnews.ca/anti-poverty-groups-want-minimum-payment-raised-for-social-assistance-1.2819993
Saskatchewan unemployment rate hits highest level in five years:
http://thestarphoenix.com/business/local-business/sask-unemployment-rate-hits-highest-level-in-five-years
Vancouver seeks crackdown on empty condos in soaring real estate market:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-seeks-crackdown-on-empty-condos-in-soaring-real-estate-market/article29127067/
One in seven people receiving social assistance in BC last year were from out of province:
http://www.theprovince.com/life/smyth+nearly+seven+welfare+recipients+last+year+were+from+province/11779521/story.html
Manitoba Greens begin election campaign with promise to cut poverty:
http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/green-party-begins-election-campaign-with-promise-to-cut-poverty-rates-1.2819862
PEI spends extra $1.1 million on social assistance and disability support:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-special-warrant-cost-overruns-1.3485868
National
Unemployment up to 7.3% for first time in three years:
http://www.news1130.com/2016/03/11/canadian-unemployment-rate-7-3/
- Out of work Canadians waiting a month or more to find out about EI eligibility: http://globalnews.ca/news/2578385/employment-insurance-eligibility-wait-times-lengthen-as-jobless-rate-rises-in-canada/
- Canadian factories finally recover from Great Recession, with 210,000 fewer jobs: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/17/canadian-manufacturing-sales-record-high_n_9485968.html
Addiction and mental health are top issues pushing Canadians into homelessness:
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/addiction-mental-health-top-issues-pushing-canadians-into-homelessness-1.2818455
- Canadians who are homeless are trapped in needless bureaucracy: http://www.timescolonist.com/life/global-voices-homeless-families-trapped-in-bureaucracy-1.2196648
- Homelessness has similar causes across the country: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/14/detailed-homeless-census-shows-common-causes-offers-hope-for-help_n_9460540.html
- Homelessness in Canada: Key statistics: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/guaranteed-minimum-income-could-be-problematic-warns-poverty-advocate-1.3493805
Home prices set to surge in BC and Ontario, further eroding affordability:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/home-prices-to-surge-in-bc-and-ontario-sink-in-oil-hit-regions-crea/article29244081/
Human rights groups react to news of another death in immigration detention:
http://createsend.com/t/j-5182D62C3D9A9273
Charities say Liberals haven’t fulfilled promise to end political audits:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/charities-push-back-against-liberals-on-political-audits-1.3490988
Poschmann: What is the problem an expanded CPP is seeking to resolve?:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/what-problem-would-a-bigger-canada-pension-plan-really-be-solving/article29248493/
Loonie surges in wake of US Federal Reserve decision:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/currencies/loonie-surges-in-wake-of-fed-decision/article29263410/?click=sf_globefb
International
Cutting food waste by one-quarter would mean enough for everyone, says UN:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/12/cutting-food-waste-enough-for-everyone-says-un?CMP=share_btn_fb
UK Minister denies wanting to replace migrant fruit pickers with UK pensioners at less than minimum wage:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/14/tory-minister-wanted-uk-pensioners-to-be-low-wage-fruit-pickers
UK’s George Osborne facing rebellion over disabled welfare reform:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dc42138a-ec5b-11e5-bb79-2303682345c8.html#axzz43GU6mOHl
Life in a banking desert means resorting to dangerous, high-cost options:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/03/banking-desert-ny-fed/473436/?utm_source=SFFB
How the Deck is Stacked: PBS series investigates the American economy:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/introducing-how-the-deck-is-stacked/
US millennials feel more working class than any other generation:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/15/us-millennials-feel-more-working-class-than-any-other-generation
The role of highways in American poverty:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/03/role-of-highways-in-american-poverty/474282/
The odds of falling into poverty in the US are sobering:
http://www.salon.com/2016/03/18/the_odds_of_your_falling_into_poverty_in_america_are_truly_sobering_partner/
