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Media & Policy News: 18 November 2016

November 18, 2016

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

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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.