Top Stories
Today in Toronto: National Housing Day of Action:
http://www.acto.ca/en/community-campaigns/national-housing-day.html
Food bank use on the rise in Canada, with drastic surges in Nova Scotia, territories:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/food-bank-report-2016-1.3850897
- FBC release: Increasing food bank use shows urgent need for federal action on poverty: http://ntv.ca/minister-holds-surprise-consultations-on-minimum-wage-may-index-to-inflation/
- National food bank report calls for major changes:
http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/national-food-bank-report-calls-major-changes/
- Rising food bank use leads to call for BC poverty reduction strategy: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/food-banks-bc-1.3852923
- New Brunswick food bank demand rises 4.1%: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/hunger-count-new-brunswick-1.3850835
- Waterloo food bank use stays the same but may spike with newcomers to the region: http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6966247-local-food-bank-stays-the-same-but-may-spike-with-newcomers-to-the-region/
- Children biggest users of PEI food banks: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-food-bank-hunger-count-report-1.3851311
- Manitoba food bank use “distressing”: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/manitobans-use-food-banks-at-second-highest-rate-in-canada-report-401317285.html
- Food bank usage up 11% in London: http://www.am980.ca/2016/11/15/food-banks-canada-usage-up-1-3-nationally-11-in-london/
Ombudsman asked to probe WSIB treatment of those with mental health disabilities:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/11/14/ombudsman-asked-to-probe-wsib-treatment-of-mentally-ill.html
Ontario newlywed couple work four jobs between then, but still can’t pay their hydro bill:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontario-newlywed-couple-work-four-jobs-between-them-but-still-cant-make-enough-to-pay-their-hydro-bill
Saskatchewan mostly steps back from changes to social assistance disability benefits:
http://leaderpost.com/news/politics/government-backs-away-from-social-services-changes-mostly
Residents report rashes, stomach pains amid water crisis on northern Ontario reserve:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/11/13/residents-report-rashes-stomach-pains-amid-water-crisis-on-northern-ontario-reserve.html
Controversial Quebec welfare bill passes into law: Called “huge step backwards for human rights”:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/montreal/bill-70-quebec-welfare-passes-1.3845448
- Montreal protest targets Quebec’s controversial new welfare reforms: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-protest-targets-quebec-s-controversial-new-welfare-reforms-1.3848570
$25 a day child care pilot program coming to 18 Alberta daycare centres:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/edmonton/25-a-day-child-care-coming-to-18-alberta-daycare-centres-1.3851628
- Why Canada needs a universal child care program: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/workopolis/canada-universal-child-care_b_12803696.html
Toronto still “child poverty capital” of Canada, warns report:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-child-poverty-divided-city-1.3849696
- Report: Cuts to low-income services proposed as new report says Toronto is child poverty capital of Canada: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/new_report_says_toronto_is_child_poverty_capital_of_canada
- Kids suffer most: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/11/14/kids-suffer-most-as-toronto-clings-to-title-of-child-poverty-capital.html
- Letter to the Editor: Toronto, we have a poverty problem!: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2016/11/17/city-hall-we-have-a-poverty-problem.html
- Report shows one-quarter of Montreal children are living in poverty: http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/one-quarter-of-montreal-children-are-living-in-poverty-report
Star editorial: Ontario should test out plan for basic income:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/11/07/ontario-should-test-out-plan-for-basic-income-editorial.html
- Picard: Basic income is not just about work, it’s about health: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/basic-income-is-not-just-about-work-its-about-health/article32709632/
- Sarnia-Lambton aims to be test site for basic income program: http://thesarniajournal.ca/sarnia-lambton-aims-to-be-test-site-for-basic-income-program/
Formerly homeless woman shares lessons from life on the streets of Toronto:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/grace-homeless-veahavta-1.3848667
- OCAP takes shelter protest to Mayor Tory’s doorstep: http://www.torontosun.com/2016/11/10/homeless-advocates-take-protest-to-torys-doorstep
- More coverage: CityNews: http://www.citynews.ca/2016/11/10/video-ocap-takes-documentary-premiere-to-mayors-multi-million-dollar-front-door/?show_id=0
- Tory calls protest outside his condo “unfair”: http://www.cp24.com/news/tory-calls-planned-ocap-protest-outside-his-condo-unfair-1.3154657
Ottawa to make unprecedented appeal for private investment in infrastructure:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/trudeau-pitches-new-brand-of-public-private-partnerships-to-investors/article32834333/
- PM hopes to attract billions in private capital for infrastructure projects: http://www.citynews.ca/2016/11/13/pm-hopes-to-attract-billions-in-private-capital-for-infrastructure-projects/
- Wells: Trudeau prepares to sell Canada: http://www.hilltimes.com/2016/11/14/trudeau-prepares-sell-canada/87632
Radio: Job after job after job: Get used to it?
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/ottawa/programs/ontariotoday/job-after-job-after-job-get-used-to-it-1.3851850
Ontario
Pre-budget Consultations have begun:
- Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs: http://www.ontla.on.ca/committee-proceedings/committee-hearings-notices/files_html/2017%20Pre-Budget%20Advertisement%20-%20English.htm
- Written submissions / online comments to the Minister: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/consultations/prebud/
Fall economic update from Minister Sousa:
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/fallstatement/2016/
- Government release: Ontario helping first-time homebuyers: https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2016/11/ontario-helping-first-time-homebuyers.html
- Sheila Block: No more “deficit made me do it” in Ontario?:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/11/14/no-deficit-made-ontario/
- CCPA: Ontario promises housing affordability, but it’s symbolic, not necessarily effective: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/11/14/ontario-promises-housing-affordability-symbolic-not-necessarily-effective/
- What economists say about Ontario offering bigger tax rebates to first-time homebuyers: http://news.buzzbuzzhome.com/2016/11/ontario-tax-rebates-first-time-homebuyers.html
Legal aid faces financial crunch in serving refugee claimants:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/11/12/legal-aid-faces-financial-crunch-in-serving-refugee-claimants.html
Letter: Ontario minimum wage policy legislates poverty and mental illness:
http://digital-cameras-planet.com/canada/albertans-refugees-increasingly-relying-on-food-banks-report/8773
Wynne says no tax hikes are needed to balance the books:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/11/04/wynne-says-no-tax-hikes-needed-to-balance-books.html
Poll results calling for hydro price relief not a surprise, says Energy Minister:
https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/poll-results-calling-for-hydro-price-relief-not-a-surprise-said-thibeault-463999
Poll shows Ontarians’ support for public-private partnerships plummeting:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/11/14/public-support-for-public-private-partnerships-plummets-poll
Government announcement: New financial protections on payday loans:
https://news.ontario.ca/mgs/en/2016/11/ontario-putting-consumers-first.html
Government announcement: New service for reporting abuse and neglect of people with developmental disabilities:
https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2016/11/ontario-helping-protect-people-with-developmental-disabilities
Government announcement: New initiatives to improve housing affordability:
https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2016/11/help-on-the-way-for-first-time-homebuyers.html
More than half of Ontarians think Wynne should resign: Poll:
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/more-than-half-of-ontarians-think-wynne-should-resign-poll-1.3148901
By-elections: Teenage Tory wins Niagara West–Glanbrook; Liberals hold on to Ottawa–Vanier:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/contentious-candidates-on-the-ballots-in-ontario-by-elections/article32884567/
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Take the Decent Work Sing-Along Challenge!
http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8e3951a35d48e64f736884ea9&id=0b6f17dd04&e=f3bab51a7a
Stats Can: Seniors income from 1976 to 2014: Four decades, two stories:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-630-x/11-630-x2016008-eng.htm
CCPA-Ontario: Selling off Toronto Hydro: Private sector gain, consumer pain:
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/selling-toronto-hydro
Homeless Hub newsletter: Lots of good reports and resources:
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=61233be4a0bcc87d8977b631e&id=27d1bfb62e&e=6da7d6f883
- Including this publication: No Vacancy: Affordability and homelessness in Vancouver: http://homelesshub.ca/resource/no-vacancy-afforability-homelessness-vancouver
November 23: Parkdale Tenants Speak Out:
https://allevents.in/toronto/parkdale-tenants-speak-out/312332892484893#
CLEO publication: Tenants who move because of domestic or sexual violence can now give just 28 days notice:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=acaece29df8d07c95ef84a763&id=9a24428255
Around the Province
Court appeal starts in death of migrant farm worker in Oakland:
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2016/11/07/farm-worker-case-in-court
Faith leaders issue call-to-action to Toronto city council on poverty:
http://iqra.ca/2016/faith-leaders-issue-call-to-action-to-toronto-city-council-on-poverty/
- Faith no more in city’s anti-poverty promise: https://nowtoronto.com/news/faith-no-more-in-city%E2%80%99s-anti-poverty-promise/
- Here’s what the City’s poverty plan has accomplished in one year and what it needs to work on: http://torontoist.com/2016/11/heres-what-the-citys-poverty-eradication-plan-has-accomplished-in-one-year/
Healthy food costly for families in Northwestern Ontario:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/local/healthy-food-costly-for-families-study/article_6d07e39c-a7bc-11e6-9593-b337140c5bd8.html
Elderly Windsor woman suffering apartment woes:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/apartment-windsor-nightmare-1.3844351
Toronto Transit set to increase fares for sixth straight year:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/11/17/ttc-set-to-increase-fares-for-sixth-straight-year.html
Welland food bank shelves will be empty again:
http://www.pelhamnews.ca/2016/11/16/barkovich-food-bank-shelves-will-be-empty-again
Committee to review progress on ending poverty in London:
http://www.640toronto.com/syn/104/121063/committee-to-review-progress-report-on-ending-poverty-in-london
Living Wage dips down in Waterloo Region, thanks to Canada Child Benefit:
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6970420-living-wage-dips-down-in-waterloo-region-thanks-to-child-credits/
Across the Country
Op-Ed: BC’s social safety net is very broken:
http://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/columnists/social-safety-net-is-very-broken-1.2461686
Vancouver imposes 1% tax on empty homes: Lie about it, and it’s $10,000 / day:
http://business.financialpost.com/news/property-post/vancouver-slaps-10000-a-day-fine-on-empty-homes-to-fix-rental-housing-crisis?__lsa=8620-1999
Rate of child poverty in BC is scandalous:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rate-of-child-poverty-in-b-c-scandalous-advocate-says-1.3853175
Healthy affordable food linked to anti-poverty efforts in BC:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2016/11/15/healthy-affordable-food-linked-to-anti-poverty-efforts.html
Organizing to end child poverty in Kelowna, BC:
http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/401513455.html
Newfoundland and Labrador holds surprise consultations on minimum wage; may index to inflation:
http://ntv.ca/minister-holds-surprise-consultations-on-minimum-wage-may-index-to-inflation/
- Federation of Labour says tiny minimum wage increase isn’t enough:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/minimum-wage-increase-isnt-enough-federation-of-labour-1.3855017
No political will to fix Nova Scotia’s inadequate tenancy laws:
http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/no-political-will-to-fix-nova-scotias-inadequate-tenancy-laws/Content?oid=5788957
Putting poverty back on the table in Nova Scotia:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/valleyharvester/1416110-putting-poverty-back-on-the-table
Editorial: Make the Winnipeg food bank obsolete:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/make-food-banks-obsolete-401417365.html
Groups call on Manitoba to release poverty-ending plan, bolster EIA:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/11/16/manitoba-government-called-upon-to-end-poverty.html
Manitoba groups calling for investment in social assistance rates:
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2016/11/16/raise-social-assistance-rates-lobby-group
CCPA: Manitoba tax changes need to target wealthy to reduce poverty:
http://www.rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/policyfix/2016/11/manitoba-tax-changes-need-to-target-wealthy-to-reduce-poverty
Homeless among empty houses in Behchoko, NWT:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/north/homeless-among-empty-houses-in-behchoko-n-w-t-1.3842763
Unemployed in Regina need extended EI benefits:
http://leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/regina-unemployed-need-extended-ei-benefits
Cost of poverty to Grande Prairie Alberta is $84.4 million:
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2016/11/16/cost-of-poverty-to-city-is-844-million-report
National
Poverty remains our shame:
http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/6969780-poverty-remains-our-shame/
Ottawa still fixing Guaranteed Income Supplement cheque boondoggle, but more work to be done:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/guaranteed-income-supplement-cpp-benefits-canada-revenue-agency-low-income-1.3852168
CUPE: Women and persons with disabilities being left behind on CPP expansion:
https://cupe.ca/women-and-persons-disabilities-being-left-behind-cpp-expansion
Guatemalan workers swindled out of work permits now face deportation:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-migrant-workers-farms-guatemala-deportation-1.3851593
Canadian workers are more productive than ever, so why aren’t wages rising?:
https://www.pressprogress.ca/canadian_workers_are_more_productive_than_ever_so_why_aren_t_wages_rising
- Here’s the study: http://www.csls.ca/reports/csls2016-15.pdf
High income men now outliving low-income women in Canada:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/high-income-men-now-outliving-low-income-women-in-canada-study-finds/article32828283/
Poll indicates Canadians are concerned youth aren’t getting the support they need:
http://angusreid.org/children/
Prime Minister appoints Special Advisor on LGBTQ2 issues:
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/11/15/prime-minister-announces-special-advisor-lgbtq2-issues
Most Canadians say Trump victory will hurt their country’s relationship with the US:
http://angusreid.org/post-us-election-trump/
International
More than 120,000 British children will be homeless this Christmas:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-children-homeless-christmas-120000-shelter-poverty-temporary-accommodation-a7395171.html
Why outsourcing the welfare state will never work:
http://realmedia.press/the-scandal-of-tax-credits-and-a-company-called-concentrix-why-outsourcing-the-welfare-state-will-never-work/
Australia’s child poverty a national shame:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-37908565
Scotland’s poverty adviser calls for tax increases to tackle inequality:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38019336
Number of homeless people in New York City reaches an all-time high:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/11/02/homeless-record/
Poverty may have a greater effect on suicide rates than do unemployment or foreclosures:
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/poverty-may-have-a-greater-effect-on-suicide-rates-than-do-unemployment-or-foreclosures
World Bank: Breaking the link between extreme weather and extreme poverty:
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/11/14/breaking-the-link-between-extreme-weather-and-extreme-poverty
Stiglitz: Global powers should act to shut down offshore tax havens, as “carriers of a dangerous disease”:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/panama-papers-offshore-secrecy-report-stiglitz-1.3850956
Tax havens helped get likes of Donald Trump elected, experts say:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/15/tax-havens-helped-get-donald-trump-elected-joseph-stiglitz-mark-pieth-say?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Trump’s proposals won’t help the white working class, or the urban poor:
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/trumps-proposals-wont-help-the-white-working-class-or-the-urban-poor/
Four US states vote to increase the minimum wage:
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/united-states-four-states-vote-raise-minimum-wage
When borders close:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/opinion/sunday/when-borders-close.html
A time for refusal:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/magazine/a-time-for-refusal.html