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Media & Policy News: 12 January 2018

January 12, 2018

Happy New Year!

 

Top Stories

Minimum Wage and Workers’ Rights

Tim Hortons locations hit by protests over wage clawbacks:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/10/tim-hortons-locations-hit-by-protests-over-wage-clawbacks.html

“Greed is not OK”: Backlash grows against Tim Hortons worker benefit cuts:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tim-hortons-minimum-wage-worker-benefits-1.4480097

Demonstrators picket Tim Hortons after cuts to employee benefits:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tim-hortons-protest-rally-picket-ontario-employee-benefits-1.4480559

What a day of protesting against Tim Hortons looks like:
https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/bjy5qv/what-a-day-of-protesting-against-tim-hortons-looks-like

Tim Hortons faces protests over employee benefit cuts:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/tim-hortons-faces-protests-over-employee-benefit-cuts-1.4482204

  • Children of Tim Hortons co-founders cut worker benefits at their franchises over wage hike: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/franchises-owned-by-children-of-tim-hortons-co-founders-reduce-employee-benefits/article37490649/
  • Multiple Tim Horton’s franchises, other businesses cut pay, benefits, citing minimum wage hike: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tim-hortons-heirs-minimum-wage-wynne-ontario-1.4472878
  • Op-Ed: Wynne: Pick a fight with me Mr. Joyce, not those working the Tim Horton’s pickup window: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/01/05/pick-a-fight-with-me-mr-joyce-not-those-working-the-pickup-window.html
  • Op-Ed: Dan Kelly: The premier should not be picking fights with small business owners: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/01/07/the-premier-should-not-be-picking-fights-with-small-business-owners.html
  • Scarborough Tim Horton’s workers banned from accepting tips after wage hike: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/05/scarborough-tim-hortons-workers-banned-from-accepting-tips-after-wage-hike.html
  • The hypocrisy of Tim Hortons, a business built on coffee breaks: http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-hypocrisy-of-a-tim-hortons-a-business-built-on-coffee-breaks/
  • Tim Hortons slams franchisees for response to Ontario minimum wage hike: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/tim-hortons-calls-franchisees-cuts-to-breaks-and-benefits-reckless/article37513737/
  • Benefits cuts by Tim Hortons franchises “premature”: NDP critic: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/benefits-cuts-by-tim-hortons-franchises-premature-ndp-critic-108910
  • What employers are doing in response to higher minimum wages: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/what-employers-are-doing-in-response-to-higher-minimum-wages
  • Minimum wage hike spurs Ontario businesses to cut benefits, hours: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/minimum-wage-hike-spurs-ontario-businesses-to-cut-benefits-hours/article37512291/
  • Clawing back employee perks after minimum wage hike “completely unacceptable,” Ontario labour minister says: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/labour-minister-minimum-wage-reaction-1.4477771
  • Ontario investigating companies for “illegal” minimum-wage hike reactions: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-investigating-campanies-for-illegal-minimum-wage-hike-actions/article37524756/
  • Ontario to crack down on companies breaking the law to cope with minimum wage: http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2018/01/08/ontario-investigates-businesses-allegedly-breaking-new-labour-laws.html
  • Labour activists will picket a Dundas Tim Hortons to support minimum wage workers: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/hamilton/tim-hortons-picket-1.4478387
  • Why these small business owners are embracing the minimum wage boost: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/08/why-these-small-business-owners-are-embracing-the-minimum-wage-boost.html
  • Ontario coffee franchise continues to pay above minimum wage, despite province-wide hike: https://globalnews.ca/news/3950567/ontario-business-minimum-wage/
  • Relax, Ontario’s minimum wage increase will not lead to massive job losses: https://news.vice.com/en_ca/article/bjydv4/relax-ontarios-minimum-wage-increase-will-not-lead-to-massive-job-losses
  • Letter to the editor: I’m not buying the excuses: http://owensoundhub.org/letters/4366-not-buying-the-excuses.html
  • Op-Ed: Alberta hasn’t suffered for raising the minimum wage: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/alberta-hasnt-suffered-for-raising-the-minimum-wage/article37517324/?cmpid=rss&click=sf_globe&__twitter_impression=true
  • Alberta’s minimum wage hike working despite gloomy predictions: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/01/09/albertas-minimum-wage-hike-working-despite-gloomy-predictions.html
  • Rising minimum wages could speed up automation not relocations: labour leaders:
    http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/rising-minimum-wages-could-speed-up-automation-not-relocations-labour-leaders/
  • What the law says about workers’ rights: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/05/what-the-law-says-about-your-rights.html
  • Government release: Ontario workers receive first paycheques with new minimum wage – Higher wages will help increase business productivity and decrease employee turnover: https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2018/01/ontario-workers-receive-first-paycheques-with-new-minimum-wage.html

Injured workers losing out on Ontario’s wage bump. Here’s why:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/08/injured-workers-losing-out-on-ontarios-wage-bump-heres-why.html

  • ONIWG: WSIB is using the minimum wage to cut injured worker benefits. Government must step in to prevent disaster:
    http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/01/08/1284967/0/en/WSIB-is-using-the-minimum-wage-to-cut-injured-worker-benefits-Government-must-step-in-to-prevent-disaster.html

Financial Post: Wynne’s cynical wage hike proves she’s not really on your side:
http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/philip-cross-wynnes-cynical-wage-hike-proves-shes-not-really-on-your-side

  • National Post: What did Ontario’s small business owners ever do to deserve this?: http://nationalpost.com/opinion/kelly-mcparland-what-did-ontarios-small-business-owners-ever-do-to-deserve-this
  • Employment Standards Act changes don’t add up: http://www.nugget.ca/2018/01/11/employment-standards-act-changes-dont-add-up

Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

ISAC’s submission:
http://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/our-response-to-a-roadmap-for-change/

  • Maytree submission: Time to get moving: Ontario’s income security roadmap: https://maytree.com/publications/time-to-get-moving-ontarios-income-security-roadmap/
  • Association of Municipalities of Ontario: https://www.amo.on.ca/AMO-PDFs/Letters/2017/MCSS-LTR-AP-Income-Security-Reform-2017-12-07.aspx
  • Ontario Municipal Social Services Association: http://omssa.com/public-affairs/communications/position-papers-reports/OMSSA%20Response%20on%20Income%20Security%20Recommendations%20Dec%2022.pdf
  • Ontario College of Family Physicians and College of Family Physicians of Canada: http://ocfp.on.ca/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2017-12-18-cfpc-ocfp-support-letter_ontario-income-security-roadmap.pdf?sfvrsn=3d3afa89_2

Ontario Pre-Budget 2018

ISAC: Ontario Budget 2018: Time to push for Roadmap and more:
http://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/ontario-budget-2018-time-to-push-for-roadmap-and-more/

  • How to participate in the Minister of Finance’s 2018 Pre-Budget Consultations:
    https://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/consultations/prebud/
  • How to participate in the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs consultations (note that the deadline for written submissions is 5pm next Friday, January 19):
    http://www.ontla.on.ca/committee-proceedings/committee-hearings-notices/files_html/Pre-Budget%20Consultations%202018%20-%20Advertising%20EN%20-%20Updated%20Dec.%2018%202017.htm

Income tax return filing changes for people with low incomes

CRA to allow low-income Canadians to file returns by phone – and will get deductions, benefits and credits without having to do paperwork or calculations:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-revenue-agency-tax-changes-1.4477378

Canada Revenue Agency tweaks tax return process – here’s what to know:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3952225/canada-revenue-agency-tax-return-changes/

Government website: File My Return:
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/campaigns/file-my-return.html

Toronto’s Shelter Crisis

Biting cold exposes deeper rot in Toronto’s attitudes to poverty:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/biting-cold-exposes-deeper-rot-in-torontos-attitudes-to-poverty/article37513385/

Matt Elliott: Toronto’s shelter shortage is a crisis by design:
http://www.metronews.ca/views/toronto/torys-toronto-matt-elliott/2018/01/07/matt-elliott-shelter-shortage-is-a-crisis-by-design.html

Street nurses use their breaks to help people who are homeless out in the bitter cold:
http://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2018/01/05/street-nurses-use-their-breaks-to-help-homeless-out-in-the-bitter-cold/

The shelter crisis forces us to ask hard questions about society:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dyanoosh-youssefi/the-shelter-crisis-forces-us-to-ask-hard-questions-about-society_a_23327505/

Ontario to renovate former youth jail to help shelter Toronto’s homeless:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/ontario-to-renovate-former-youth-jail-to-help-shelter-torontos-homeless/article37543809/

No rooms available: A community organization decides to take over a rooming house:
https://thelocal.to/no-rooms-available-4be88ae1dbd2

Imagine cities that shelter people, not war:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/01/11/imagine-cities-that-shelter-people-not-war.html

New men’s shelter opens its doors in Leslieville:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/8042484-new-men-s-shelter-opens-its-doors-in-leslieville/#.WlP2rZ4gKzg.twitter

Homeless shelter crisis reveals unabashed attempt to legitimize inequality:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/01/08/homeless-shelter-crisis-reveals-unabashed-attempt-to-legitimize-inequality.html

 

Other Top Stories

I’ll start 2018 by recognizing my white privilege:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/ill-start-2018-by-recognizing-my-white-privilege/article37472875/

Registered Nurses can now complete application forms for people applying for ODSP:
https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/news/releases/2018/20180110.aspx

ODSP recipients in Scarborough are asking MPPs to address their needs:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/8003546-odsp-recipients-in-scarborough-are-asking-mpps-to-address-their-needs/?s=e

Ottawa pouring an extra $3.6 billion into veterans’ benefits:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/veterans-pension-disability-1.4457755

Star editorial: Tax Fairness is the right priority:
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20180106/282909500914140

$500M recouped worldwide from tax cheats due to Panama Papers – but none of it in Canada:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/panama-papers-cra-tax-recovered-other-countries-1.4474827

WSIB reverses majority of denied GE Peterborough cancer claims:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/12/17/wsib-reverses-majority-of-denied-ge-peterborough-cancer-claims.html

A year of raised hopes and painful losses for ailing GE Peterborough retirees:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/12/17/a-year-of-raised-hopes-painful-losses-for-ailing-ge-peterborough-retirees.html

Worth Repeating: Companies should have to pay pension funds before shareholders: CCPA Report:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/11/21/companies-should-have-to-pay-pension-funds-before-shareholders-report.html

 

Ontario

No quick fix for Ontario’s energy woes, electricity analyst says:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/energy-analyst-political-platforms-1.4471786

New Ontario rule banning carding by police takes effect:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/carding-ontario-police-government-ban-1.3918134

New legal clinic for Black Ontarians in place by August 2018:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2018/01/10/legal-aid-announces-new-legal-clinic-for-black-ontarians.html

Ontario health ministry keeps secret list of high risk long-term care homes:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ontario-health-ministry-keeps-secret-list-of-high-risk-long-term-care-homes#click=https://t.co/QVY8rDc6sg

Premiers’ Performance: Wall, Horgan remain on top, Atlantic premiers’ approval sees volatility:
http://angusreid.org/premier-approval-dec2017/

Government release: Ontario added more than 175,000 jobs in 2017:
https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2018/01/ontario-added-more-than-175000-jobs-in-2017.html

Government release: Ontario enhancing workplace health and safety:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2017/12/ontario-enhancing-workplace-health-and-safety.html

Government release: Ontario signs tobacco agreement-in-principle with Mohawk Council of Akwesasne:
https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2017/12/ontario-signs-tobacco-agreement-in-principle-with-mohawk-council-of-akwesasne.html

Government release: Free prescription medications for everyone under 25:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2018/01/free-prescription-medications-for-everyone-under-25.html

  • Find out if your medication is covered: https://www.ontario.ca/page/check-medication-coverage/

Government release: Improving living spaces for people with developmental disabilities:
https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2018/01/ontario-improving-living-spaces-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities.html

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

Jan 18 in Toronto: PEPSO Book Release – Precarious Employment: Causes, Consequences and Remedies:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/pepso-book-release-precarious-employment-causes-consequences-and-remedies-tickets-41329580889

Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, October 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/171220/dq171220b-eng.htm

Where do injured workers go when they’re denied workers’ compensation and can’t return to work? They go on ODSP, that’s where:
http://injuredworkersonline.org/where-did-they-go/

Resource: Legal services in Ontario:
http://plelearningexchange.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/5.-Legal-services-in-Ontario-October-2017.pdf

Resource: Sources for online legal information:
http://plelearningexchange.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/4.-Sources-for-online-legal-information-October-2017.pdf

Resource: How can you tell if the legal information you get online is reliable?:
http://plelearningexchange.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/3.-Clues-to-reliable-legal-information-October-2017.pdf

Resource: Changes to Employment Insurance benefits for new parents:
http://mailchi.mp/cleo/on-the-radar-higher-age-limit-will-help-more-children-join-their-families-in-canada-1029069?e=6e96540544

 

Around the Province

New City of Hamilton rules would only allow 15 payday loan outlets:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/payday-loans-1.4475152

Windsor Street Help resists efforts by officials to remove homeless men from centre:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/street-help-threatened-with-fines-after-being-ordered-not-to-let-men-sleep-at-centre

Ottawa & District Labour Council flooded with complaints about responses to minimum wage laws:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/labour-council-flooded-with-complaints-about-responses-to-minimum-wage-laws

Labour leaders hold rally at Windsor Tim Hortons in support of workers:
http://ht.ly/lIzI30hHx9N

Anger brews in Cobourg over Tim Hortons’ response to Ontario minimum wage:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/labour-groups-protest-tim-hortons-response-to-ontario-minimum-wage/article37553813/

Clawbacks to Tim Hortons breaks and benefits not okay, say London labour activists:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/tim-hortons-picket-london-1.4480090

Protests held at select Toronto Tim Hortons locations over clawbacks:
https://www.cp24.com/news/protests-held-at-select-toronto-tim-hortons-locations-over-clawbacks-1.3753237

Tim Hortons workers in Dundas lose paid breaks, Timbits after minimum wage hike:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hamilton-tim-hortons-picket-1.4481589

Protest held at Tim Hortons in Dundas after reports of cuts to employee benefits:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3957928/protest-held-at-tim-hortons-in-dundas-after-reports-of-cuts-to-employee-benefits/

‘Hold the sugar, hold the cream, Tim Hortons don’t be mean,’ protesters chant:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/hold-the-sugar-hold-the-cream-tim-hortons-don-t-be-mean-protesters-chant-1.3753353

Demonstrations against Tim Hortons hit Guelph:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1300884

Labour unions rally at Tim Hortons locations over minimum wage response:
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/labour-unions-rally-at-tim-hortons-locations-over-minimum-wage-response

Local backlash against Tim Hortons continues after benefit cuts:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/backlash-against-tim-hortons-continues-after-benefit-cuts

 

Across the Country

“A huge success”: Pilot project helps address worker shortage on PEI farms:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-harvest-and-prosper-success-1.4481621

 

National

Ottawa axes $1,000 application fee to hire foreign nannies and caregivers:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/12/27/government-axes-1000-application-fee-to-hire-foreign-nannies-and-caregivers.html

Liberals look to put stamp on CMHC with new board focused on social housing:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/liberals-look-to-put-stamp-on-cmhc-with-new-board-focused-on-social-housing-1.3729619

CPJ head says poverty reduction and climate change are major items for 2018:
https://www.catholicregister.org/item/26563-poverty-reduction-and-action-on-climate-change-major-items-for-2018

Canadian job vacancies in third quarter of 2017 up 15% over previous year:

https://www.cicnews.com/2018/01/canadian-job-vacancies-in-third-quarter-of-2017-up-15-over-previous-year-0110085.html#gs.2QjQV8o

 

International

Number of people requesting charitable grants to pay for basic items grows by 244% after government cuts:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/charitable-grants-government-cuts-basic-items-soar-numbers-a8142056.html

A new trial in Scotland may bring Universal Basic Income to life:
https://futurism.com/new-trial-scotland-bring-universal-basic-income-life/

Number of households in Japan on welfare hit record high in October:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/01/11/national/number-households-japan-welfare-hit-record-high-october/#.Wlfnwa6nFEY

Trump administration sends mixed messages on welfare work rules:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-sends-mixed-messages-on-welfare-work-rules-1515668401

Raising the minimum wage in Britain has been a huge benefit to workers – and employers are largely unharmed:
http://uk.businessinsider.com/raising-the-minimum-wage-in-britain-2017-12

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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.