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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 12 February 2018

February 12, 2018

Ed. note: MPN will return on March 2

Top Stories

Not enough given to those in need in Ontario:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/not-enough-given-to-those-in-need/article_836a4634-08be-11e8-81ee-8370f919471a.html

I’ve been homeless 3 times. The problem isn’t drugs or mental illness – it’s poverty:
https://www.vox.com/2016/3/8/11173304/homeless-in-america

  • Toronto’s homeless memorial honours in death those who struggled in life: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/02/09/homeless-memorial-honours-in-death-those-who-struggled-in-life.html

Why is there so much poverty in a rich country like Canada?:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/why-is-there-so-much-poverty-in-a-rich-country-like-canada-1.4524527

Legal clinic challenges part of Income Tax Act:
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/author/alex-robinson/legal-clinic-challenges-part-of-income-tax-act-15319/

Canadian economy lost 88,000 jobs in January:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-employment-january-1.4527905

  • Stats Can: Labour Force Survey, January 2018: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/180209/dq180209a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
  • Ontario sheds 59,000 part-time jobs in January as new $14 minimum wage begins: http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/ontario-sheds-59k-part-time-jobs-in-jan-as-new-14-minimum-wage-begins
  • Here’s a quick look at unemployment rates for January, by Canadian city: http://business.financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/heres-a-quick-glance-at-unemployment-rates-for-january-by-canadian-city

Governments could save billions by introducing universal pharmacare:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/02/06/opinion/governments-could-save-billions-introducing-universal-pharmacare

Leaders who truly support #MeToo should prove it at Budget time:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jessica-mustachi/leaders-who-truly-support-metoo-should-prove-it-at-budget-time_a_23355814/

For women of colour, there’s a gap within the pay gap:
http://www.macleans.ca/opinion/for-women-of-colour-theres-a-gap-within-the-pay-gap/

Child support clawback for parents on income assistance in Nova Scotia could end in spring:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/child-support-clawback-parents-income-assistance-spring-1.4512521

BC to increase minimum wage over three years to get to $15.20:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/b-c-to-raise-minimum-wage-over-three-years-to-get-to-15-20-1.3795471

  • $15 minimum wage not coming soon enough: BC Federation of Labour: https://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/67427/15-minimum-wage-not-coming-soon-enough-bcfed/
  • It’s a tough pill to swallow: Penticton small business owner decries minimum wage hike: https://globalnews.ca/news/4015024/its-a-tough-pill-to-swallow-penticton-small-business-owner-decries-minimum-wage-hike/
  • Premier says minimum wage hike to $15.20 by 2021 will keep BC competitive: http://www.theprovince.com/news/national/raise+minimum+wage+2021/16953278/story.html

Ugly, awful secret”: Ontario dentists are ducking some patients – and they say they have no choice:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/healthy-smile-cost-money-1.4525204

Hamilton politicians keep paper transit tickets as they are used by people on social assistance:
https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/8094803-hamilton-politicians-accept-presto-card-and-paper-ticket-for-hsr/

There’s no excuse for homeless deaths:
https://debatereport.com/world/theres-no-excuse-for-homeless-deaths/4883

First Nations looking to create independent health care system in Ontario:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/anishnabek-health-care-1.4513449

Ground-breaking Nova Scotia case seeks to make supported homes for disabled declared a right:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/human-rights-case-disabled-institution-supported-homes-1.4519077

As personal use evictions appear to spike in Toronto, tenants suspicious of landlord cash grabs:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/personal-use-evictions-1.4530383

Medical bills a contributing factor in one-fifth of Nova Scotia bankruptcies: Analysis:
https://www.halifaxtoday.ca/local-news/medical-bills-a-contributing-factor-in-one-fifth-of-ns-bankruptcies-analysis-832034

Does the government make it too hard for people with disabilities to work?
https://globalnews.ca/news/4006292/disabilities-employment-canada-social-assistance/

  • Conservative bill targets clawback of disabilities benefits: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/proposed-conservative-bill-targets-clawback-of-disabilities-benefits/article37851566/

Canada’s immigration program for migrant caregivers under review:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2018/02/05/canadas-immigration-program-for-migrant-caregivers-under-review.html

Is the Liberals’ affordable housing plan a “monstrous failure”?
https://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/the-next-ontario/is-the-liberals-affordable-housing-plan-a-monstrous-failure

Ontario’s new standard lease could crack down on “wild west” rental agreements:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-standard-lease-1.4524570

  • Government release: Ontario introduces new easy-to-understand standard lease: https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2018/02/ontario-introduces-new-easy-to-understand-standard-lease.html

Op-ed: What Trudeau’s next step toward fighting racial discrimination must be:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/02/07/what-trudeaus-next-step-toward-fighting-racial-discrimination-must-be.html

Reports cite heavy toll of legal problems on Canadian society:
https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/5744/reports-cite-heavy-toll-of-legal-problems-on-canadian-society

 

Ontario

Province finds mercury-contaminated soil and possibly buried metal on Dryden site upstream from Grassy Narrows:
https://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/2018/02/05/province-finds-mercury-contaminated-soil-and-possibly-buried-metal-on-dryden-site-upstream-from-grassy-narrows.html

Lack of funding for new cancer claims “devastating” GE Peterborough workers say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/30/lack-of-funding-for-new-cancer-claims-devastating-ge-peterborough-workers-say.html

Statement form Minister of Energy regarding Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan:
https://news.ontario.ca/mei/en/2018/02/statement-from-minister-of-energy-regarding-ontarios-fair-hydro-plan.html

WSIB has now accepted 36 previously rejected Peterborough General Electric health claims:
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2018/01/30/wsib-has-now-accepted-36-previously-rejected-peterborough-general-electric-health-claims

Government release: Ontario expanding early years programming for Indigenous children:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2018/02/ontario-expanding-early-years-programming-for-indigenous-children.html

Government release: Ontario investing in energy efficient improvements for social housing:
https://news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2018/02/ontario-investing-in-energy-efficient-improvements-for-social-housing.html

Government release: Premier kicks off tour of Ontario college and university campuses:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2018/02/premier-kicks-off-tour-of-ontario-college-and-university-campuses.html

 

Election 2018

Former Horwath supporter enters race for Hamilton Centre riding as a Liberal:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/former-horwath-supporter-enters-race-for-hamilton-centre-riding-as-a-liberal/article37869655/?click=sf_globefb

  • “Disheartened” NDP voter seeks Liberal nomination for Hamilton Centre: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/deirdre-pike-liberal-nomination-hamilton-centre-1.4518614
  • This election, I’m doing more than voting: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/8105678-this-election-i-m-doing-more-than-voting/

Ontario PC race: Polls explore how voters view leadership hopefuls:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/grenier-ontario-pcs-polls-1.4520530

Why Doug Ford has a good shot at becoming Ontario PC leader:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/02/07/why-doug-ford-has-a-good-shot-at-becoming-ontario-pc-leader.html

Dropping Brown has helped Ontario tories: Poll:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/02/12/dropping-brown-has-helped-ontario-tories-poll.html

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

February 13, show love for Tim Horton’s workers and workers rights:
https://mailchi.mp/workersactioncentre/show-love-for-tim-hortons-workers-and-workers-rights?e=49c443a217

Social Assistance Survey on your experience with ODSP or Ontario Works:
https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=151327088657

Petition: Pharmacare: A plan for everyone:
http://www.aplanforeveryone.ca/mp

RNAO petition: Save lives by opening 1000 new shelter beds in Toronto in 2018:
http://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/Save-lives-by-opening-1000-new-shelter-beds-in-2018

Dignity for All: Living in the Gap: A snapshot of precarity in Canada:
https://dignityforall.ca/living-in-the-gap-infographics/

Bolton Feb 12: Free legal training on human rights and ODSP:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/sites/all/files/Human%20Rights%20and%20ODSP%20flyer.pdf

Toronto Mar 1: Free legal information session for international students:
http://www.migrantworkersalliance.org/free-legal-information-session-for-international-students/

Maytree newsletter January 31:
https://mailchi.mp/maytree/maytree-newsletter-april-477435?e=2df3fde692

On the Radar: Better employment standards for workers in Ontario:
https://mailchi.mp/cleo/on-the-radar-better-employment-standards-for-workers-in-ontario?e=6e96540544

 

Around the Province

Rental licensing in Windsor defeated at Council but beefed up enforcement approved:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/rental-licensing-defeated-5-4-but-beefed-up-enforcement-approved

New Guelph-based organization aims to support workers injured on the job:
https://www.guelphmercury.com/community-story/8102701-new-guelph-based-organization-aims-to-support-workers-injured-on-the-job/

Why Hamilton needs a Mental Health Court:
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/8105459-why-hamilton-needs-a-mental-health-court/

“This is the one way we can actually fight back”: More tenants in Parkdale stage rent strike:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/this-is-the-one-way-we-can-actually-fight-back-more-tenants-in-parkdale-stage-rent-strike-1.4515273

  • Parkdale rent strike brings attention to affordable housing: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/activist-communiqu%C3%A9/2018/02/parkdale-rent-strike-brings-attention-affordable-housing

New Toronto research hub to focus on developmental disabilities and mental illness:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/new-toronto-research-hub-to-focus-on-developmental-disabilities-and-mental-illness-1.4519803

Op-Ed: Toronto is a city of neighbourhoods – and of neighbours who support our most vulnerable:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/02/01/toronto-is-a-city-of-neighbourhoods-and-of-neighbours-who-support-our-most-vulnerable.html

 

Across the Country

Halifax Council looking at taking back social housing portfolio from the province; debate support for basic income:
https://www.halifaxtoday.ca/local-news/councillor-wants-report-on-taking-over-housing-from-the-province-823787

Bolder solutions needed for income assistance in Nova Scotia:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/1544028-editorial-bolder-solutions-needed-for-income-assistance

Seasonal workers in New Brunswick complain of same EI ‘black hole’ as northern workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/kings-landing-seasonal-workers-employment-insurance-challenges-1.4526734

Advocates fear Vancouver Downtown Eastside police crackdown pushes drug users into shadows:
http://vancouversun.com/health/local-health/advocates-vancouver-police-sweeps-put-drug-users-in-danger

Raising BC’s minimum wage is good for public health:
http://www.policynote.ca/raising-the-minimum-wage-is-good-for-public-health/

BC eliminates prescription deductibles for families with incomes under $30,000:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-pharmacare-changes-2018-1.4528807

Vancouverites set to take to the streets demanding action on housing, crackdown on lawbreaking in real estate:
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/02/06/vancouverites-set-take-streets-demanding-action-housing-crackdown-lawbreaking-real-estate/

 

National

Despite low unemployment, young people say finding a job is as difficult as ever:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/jobs-students-employers-1.4525127

Opinion: Raising the Basic Personal Amount – not the minimum wage – is the way to help low-income workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/basic-personal-amount-1.4529110

Disabled veterans take appeal to Supreme Court on pension battle:
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2018/02/09/disabled-veterans-take-appeal-supreme-court-pension-battle/

NDP and Conservatives call on Ottawa to end corporate tax loopholes:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/01/24/ndp-and-conservatives-call-on-ottawa-to-end-corporate-tax-loopholes.html

“A whole pile of uncertainties”: Trade, politics expected to hang like a dark cloud over the economy:
http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/a-whole-pile-of-uncertainties-trade-politics-expected-to-hang-like-a-dark-cloud-over-the-economy

 

International

Home Depot’s bonuses underscore what workers get out of the corporate tax cut: Peanuts:
http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-home-depot-bonus-20180130-story.html

What we talk about when we talk about pay inequity:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/03/business/wage-gap-gender-discrimination.html?smid=fb-share

German union wins right to 28-hour working week and 4.3% pay raise:
https://www.ft.com/content/e7f0490e-0b1c-11e8-8eb7-42f857ea9f09

The median young family in the USA has nearly zero wealth:
http://peoplespolicyproject.org/2018/02/05/the-median-young-family-has-nearly-zero-wealth/

As robots take our jobs, we need something else. I know what that is:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/07/robots-jobs-salaried-work-society-unpaid-george-monbiot?CMP=share_btn_fb

This year’s Gerber baby has Down syndrome:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/health/gerber-down-1.4524930

These foreign workers say they were told by their US employers to pick blueberries unless they were on their “death bed”:
https://www.motherjones.com/food/2018/02/blueberry-pickers-guest-worker-visas-threats-lawsuit/

Minimum wage boosted to $15 at New Jersey bank:
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2018/02/minimum_wage_boosted_to_15_at_nj_bank.html

US hiring accelerates; annual wage growth strongest since 2009:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/us-hiring-accelerates-annual-wage-growth-strongest-since-2009/article37828710/

Australia saves $1.4 billion in 18 months since welfare crackdown:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2018-02-11/government-saves-14b-in-18-months-since-welfare-crackdown/1735328

Australia welfare changes to disadvantage family violence victims, advocates say:
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/welfare-changes-to-disadvantage-family-violence-victims-advocates-say-20180210-p4yzxq.html

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Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

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This site contains general legal information for people in Ontario, Canada. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem. ISAC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization. ISAC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). The funding for this website is also provided by LAO. The views expressed in any of ISAC’s publications (including written, oral, or visual) are the views of the clinic and do not necessarily reflect those of LAO.