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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 18 March 2016

March 18, 2016

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/

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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.