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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

ISAC works to address issues of income security and poverty in Ontario

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Media & Policy News: 16 September 2016

September 16, 2016

Top Stories

Policy Options: Ontario social assistance doesn’t meet basic human needs:
http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/september-2016/ontario-social-assistance-doesnt-meet-basic-human-needs/

  • It’s time to Fix the Gap: http://us13.campaign-archive2.com/?u=13c865f393dec37301b8e7cf5&id=8d5f92705a&e=ed1a261b05
  • NDP MPP tables social assistance bill again: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6858413-ndp-tables-social-assistance-bill-again/
  • MPPs sort food to raise awareness of hunger in Ontario: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/mpps-sort-food-raise-awareness-hunger-ontario-support-hunger-action-month-2159072.htm
  • Op-Ed: Government should increase social assistance rates now: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/12/lets-break-the-cycle-of-endless-studies-and-consultations.html

Ontario Throne Speech – government announcement:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/09/throne-speech-announces-electricity-cost-relief-new-child-care-spaces.html

  • Throne Speech gets mixed reviews: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2016/09/12/throne-speech-gets-mixed-reviews
  • Ontario parents welcome new focus on daycare: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/ontario-parents-welcome-new-focus-on-daycare.html
  • Analysis from Sheila Block: Heat over hydro dominates Ontario throne speech: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/09/12/heat-hydro-dominates-ontario-throne-speech/
  • Wynne announces 8% HST cut from hydro bills in throne speech: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/wynne-announces-8-per-cent-hst-cut-from-hydro-bills-in-throne-speech.html
  • High Ontario hydro rates targeted in Hamilton protest September 28: http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/6849644-high-ontario-hydro-rates-targeted-in-hamilton-protest-sept-28/#.V9Q5JDMIBlQ.facebook
  • Cohn: Ontario Liberals profiting from the politics of hydro tax cuts: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/ontario-liberals-profiting-from-the-politics-of-hydro-tax-cuts-cohn.html
  • Backgrounder: Electricity rate relief for Ontario consumers: https://news.ontario.ca/mei/en/2016/09/electricity-rate-relief-for-ontario-consumers.html
  • Backgrounder: Existing programs to reduce electricity costs for consumers and businesses: https://news.ontario.ca/mei/en/2016/09/existing-programs-to-reduce-electricity-costs-for-consumers-and-businesses.html
  • Release: Ontario introducing measures to reduce electricity costs: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/09/ontario-introducing-measures-to-reduce-electricity-costs.html
  • Hydro offset not enough to help struggling families: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-hydro-bill-plan-1.3759446
  • Lorinc: Housing affordability, not hydro bills, is what’s really hurting Ontario: http://spacing.ca/toronto/2016/09/14/lorinc-housing-affordability-no-hydro-bills-whats-really-hurting-ontario/
  • Star Editorial: Ontario offers some good news and some good politics: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/09/12/ontario-offers-some-good-news-and-some-good-politics-editorial.html
  • Hydro rebate criticized for doing little to stem cost of electricity: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/13/liberals-hydro-rebate-criticized-for-doing-little-to-stem-cost-of-electricity.html
  • Most rural Ontario hydro customers to see new increases, despite rebate: http://globalnews.ca/news/2937675/rural-hydro-customers-to-see-new-increases-despite-rebate/

Province makes accessing ODSP easier for adults and kids with developmental disabilities:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/09/easier-path-to-cash-for-adults-kids-with-disabilities.html

  • Government release: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2016/09/ontario-making-access-to-services-easier-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities.html

Canada: Foreign farm workers demand permanent status:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/09/canada-foreign-farm-workers-demand-permanent-status-160910125725983.html

  • Ottawa urged to grant permanent status to migrant workers upon arrival: https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/09/11/ottawa-urged-to-grant-permanent-status-to-migrant-workers-upon-arrival.html
  • The murky world of the agencies that recruit temporary foreign workers: http://www.theprovince.com/news/canada/murky+world+agencies+that+recruit+temporary+foreign+workers/12191327/story.html
  • How the temporary foreign worker program is shaping Canada’s underground economy: http://calgaryherald.com/news/national/canadas-temporary-foreign-worker-program-shaping-underground-economy
  • It’s time to stop abuse of temporary farm workers: http://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/6855974-d-amato-it-s-time-to-stop-abuse-of-temporary-farm-workers/
  • Infographic: The high cost of a job in Canada: http://calgaryherald.com/news/national/infographic-the-high-cost-of-a-job-in-canada

WSIB policy pushes hurt workers into humiliating jobs and unemployment:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/12/wsib-policy-pushes-hurt-workers-into-humiliating-jobs-and-unemployment-critics-say.html

Behind the Numbers: New child benefit is good, not great:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/09/14/new-child-benefit-good-not-great/

Alberta makes $15 minimum wage regulations official:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/13/alberta-makes-15-minimum-wage-regulations-official.html

No longer homeless: How Buddy and Maureen went from sleeping in a field to a new apartment:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/no-longer-homeless-1.3758994

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issues second Compliance Order against government of Canada on First Nations child welfare:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/cnw/release.html?rkey=20160915C8588&filter=5599#.V9saPIxPagM.twitter

Destabilizing tenancy rights is not the solution to Ontario’s housing shortage:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/57d81517e4b0d93d17700b75?timestamp=147378003

How can people afford this? James Bay communities struggle to eat healthy:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/james-bay-coast-high-food-prices-study-1.3756824

Minister Duclos:  A social policy theorist faces the trade-off between what’s possible and what’s ideal:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/wherry-jean-yves-duclos-1.3755690

 

Ontario

Government release: Ontario establishes portable housing benefit pilot program to help survivors of domestic violence:
https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2016/09/ontario-establishes-portable-housing-benefit-to-help-survivors-of-domestic-violence.html

  • List of participating communities: https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2016/09/communities-participating-in-new-portable-housing-benefit-pilot-for-survivors-of-domestic-violence.html

It’s now easier for tenants in abusive relationships to break leases in Ontario:
http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/its-now-easier-for-tenants-in-abusive-relationships-to-break-leases-in-ontario

  • Fleeing faster: New Ontario provision allows domestic and sexual abuse victims to break rentals early: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fleeing-faster-new-ontario-provision-allows-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-victims-to-break-rentals-early-1.3760958
  • Changes to Residential Tenancy Act for survivors of sexual and domestic violence: http://www.settlementatwork.org/_news_/111052

Ministry of Labour: Minimum Wage increase as of October 1:
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/pubs/guide/minwage.php

Government release: Full-day kindergarten reaches more than one million students:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2016/09/full-day-kindergarten-reaches-more-than-one-million-ontario-students.html

Government release: Ontario adds 10,500 jobs in August:
https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2016/09/ontario-adds-10500-jobs-in-august.html

 

Underfunding brings isolation for people with developmental disabilities:
http://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/6853499-underfunding-brings-isolation-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

New social assistance rates start September 30 – here’s ISAC’s rates sheet to explain:
http://incomesecurity.org/public-education/ow-and-odsp-rates-and-the-ocb-2016/

Action Alert: October 1 $15 and Fairness event at Queen’s Park:
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b32b33961fd1e65272919d8a6&id=ca22c2aaaf&e=51059eb750

Ten things to know about Canada’s national housing strategy consultations:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/09/15/10-things-know-canadas-national-housing-strategy-consultations/

Homeless Hub: Newsletter this week:
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=61233be4a0bcc87d8977b631e&id=89e3413e08&e=6da7d6f883

Research Paper: The very poor and the affordability of housing:
http://homelesshub.ca/resource/very-poor-and-affordability-housing

Calgary Homelessness Foundation: National Housing Strategy Brief:
http://homelesshub.ca/resource/calgary-homeless-foundation-national-housing-strategy-brief

Report shows raising GIS earnings exemption would help most low-income seniors:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/raising-gis-earning-exemption-would-help-most-low-income-seniors-report-says-1.3074007

Guelph& Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination event: Can a Basic Income Guarantee eliminate poverty?:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/can-a-basic-income-guarantee-eliminate-poverty-tickets-27676336668

EI Commission announces 2017 premium rate and maximum insurable earnings:
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1124559

 

Around the Province

$10 bag of potatoes: Northern Ontario aboriginals spend more than half of income on food:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/10-for-bag-of-potatoes-northern-ont-aboriginals-spend-more-than-half-of-income-on-food-1.3068160?autoPlay=true

Carleton researchers say City of Ottawa is balancing its books on the backs of the poor:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/city-balancing-budget-on-the-backs-of-the-poor-researchers-claim

Appeal Court rules City of Toronto failed vulnerable tenants:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/12/appeal-court-rules-city-of-toronto-failed-vulnerable-tenants.html

The hidden pockets in Toronto where gentrification is really happening:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/13/the-hidden-pockets-in-toronto-where-gentrification-is-really-happening.html

Toronto’s problem? Our public sector is poor while our private sector is booming:
http://torontoist.com/2016/09/torontos-problem-public-sector-poor-private-sector-rich/

 

Across the Country

Yukon’s social assistance policy keeps women in abusive relationships:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-social-assistance-women-abusive-relationships-1.3762641

Cape Breton Regional Municipality mayoral candidate points finger at child poverty:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2016-08-26/article-4625942/Cape-Breton-Regional-Municipality-mayoral-candidate-points-finger-at-child-poverty/1

Minimum wage families in Manitoba further in poverty under Pallister government:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/09/13/no-minimum-wage-increase-in-manitoba.html

Syrian refugees in Moose Jaw give back by helping with the harvest at a community food farm:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/09/syrian-refugees-help-saskatchewan-food-farm-do-something-for-canada.html

Editor’s column: BC’s assistance rates shows our own disability:
http://www.richmond-news.com/opinion/columnists/editor-s-column-assistance-rates-shows-our-own-disability-1.2340472

Op-Ed: BC government should craft poverty reduction strategy:
http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/op-ed/comment-province-should-craft-poverty-reduction-strategy-1.2331656

BC employment programs for people with disabilities going unused:
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2016/09/12/programs-unused-for-people-with-disabilities

Success of BC’s “welfare to work” policies vastly exaggerated:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/09/15/BC-Liberal-Welfare-to-Work/

Negative reaction to BC Liberals’ disability bus pass increase:
http://www.cheknews.ca/negative-reaction-liberals-increase-disability-bus-passes-217752/

Small minimum-wage increase is a reason to talk about a BC poverty reduction strategy:
http://www.straight.com/news/782996/small-minimum-wage-increase-reason-talk-about-bc-poverty-reduction-strategy-advocate

 

National

IMF head Christine Lagarde says Canada should boost growth by helping women in the labour market:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-lagarde/to-boost-growth-employ-mo_b_12010054.html

CPP changes do little to ensure appropriate income for future retirees:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/pensions/governance-law/cpp-enhancement-does-little-to-ensure-appropriate-retirement-income-for-future-generations-86487

Canadian pensions rank among the top global plans:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/pensions/db/canadian-pensions-rank-among-the-top-global-plans-report-87301

Solitary confinement can be deadly for mentally ill inmates:
http://www.yukon-news.com/news/solitary-confinement-can-be-deadly-for-mentally-ill-inmates-watchdog-says/

Canadian cities help undocumented migrants as Ottawa deports them:
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/canada/canadian+cities+help+undocumented+migrants+ottawa+deports/12191349/story.html

StatsCan to tally number of contract, part-time professors:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/statistics-canada-to-tally-number-of-contract-part-time-professors/article31922546/

Angus Reid: Two-in-three Canadians approve of PM Justin Trudeau:
http://angusreid.org/federal-issues-sept2016/

 

International

Why thousands of people signed petitions to investigate Apple’s tax strategies:
http://fortune.com/2016/09/08/apple-tax-petitions/

  • Could Europe’s tax fight with Apple affect other businesses?: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/could-europes-tax-fight-with-apple-affect-other-businesses/article31782195/
  • Shed a tear for poor, put-upon Apple: http://ipolitics.ca/2016/09/02/shed-a-tear-for-poor-put-upon-apple/

Poverty among the elderly in Germany skyrockets:
http://www.dw.com/en/poverty-among-the-elderly-in-germany-skyrockets/a-19542060

Hipsters and artists are the gentrifying foot soldiers of UK capitalism:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/13/hipsters-artists-gentrifying-capitalism

In Scotland, jails are now the “last resort” of the welfare state:
https://www.sundaypost.com/news/political-news/jails-now-last-resort-welfare-state/

UK austerity is officially causing a mental health crisis:
http://www.thecanary.co/2016/09/14/tory-austerity-officially-causing-mental-health-crisis/

Big study into UK food poverty:
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/big-study-into-food-poverty-1-8120145

Clegg: Osborne casually cut welfare for poorest to boost Tory popularity:
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/sep/02/nick-clegg-george-osborne-cut-welfare-poorest-boost-tory-popularity

UK’s Theresa May rules out more raids on welfare budget:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/may-rules-out-any-further-raids-on-welfare-budget-snpjvfmdb

Disability activists block Westminster Bridge in London:
http://www.socialist.ca/node/3172

Brooklyn’s food gap:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/11/nyregion/brooklyns-food-gap.html

Americans are eager for tax reform: survey:
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/14/americans-are-eager-for-tax-reform-survey.html

The Universal Basic Income: Innovative social welfare reform or Satanic plot?:
http://reason.com/blog/2016/09/12/universal-basic-income-innovative-satan

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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.