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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 2 February 2018

February 2, 2018

Top Stories

Poverty not a good reason to take Indigenous kids from parents: Bennett:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/poverty-not-a-good-reason-to-take-indigenous-kids-from-parents-bennett

Temp agency proposal at WSIB leaves workers vulnerable, legal clinics say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/02/01/temp-agency-proposal-leaves-workers-vulnerable-legal-clinics-say.html

Inflation’s return could shock a generation that’s never seen it:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/inflation-canada-1.4505207

Nearly 100 homeless people died in Toronto in 2017:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/homeless-deaths-toronto-public-health-1.4509218

  • Advocates “alarmed” by conditions in emergency drop-ins: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/30/advocates-alarmed-by-conditions-in-emergency-drop-ins.html
  • Editorial: Fix unacceptable conditions at emergency warming centres: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2018/01/31/fix-unacceptable-conditions-at-emergency-warming-centres.html

Editorial: Ontario badly botches affordable housing policy:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2018/01/26/ontario-badly-botches-affordable-housing-policy.html

  • Ontario housing minister explains inclusionary zoning rationale: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/01/30/ontario-housing-minister-explains-inclusionary-zoning-rationale.html

Metro announces increase in automation to combat minimum wage hikes:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2018/01/30/metro-announces-increase-in-automation-to-combat-minimum-wage-hikes.html

  • Ontario restaurant owners say minimum wage hike forcing them to cut, alter menus: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/ontario-restaurant-owners-say-minimum-wage-hike-forcing-them-to-cut-alter-menus/article37762743/
  • Ontario marijuana producers hit by minimum wage hike: https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/ontario-marijuana-producers-hit-by-minimum-wage-hike-1.3779630
  • Defending minimum wage victories against big business backlash: http://www.rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/talking-radical-radio/2018/01/defending-minimum-wage-victories-big-business-backlash
  • Ontario’s minimum wage driving up costs in Hamilton’s 2018 budget: https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/8105593-ontario-s-minimum-wage-driving-up-costs-in-hamilton-s-2018-budget/
  • Businesses will have to adjust to new minimum wage – but at what cost?: http://citizen.on.ca/?p=10852
  • Minimum wage hike “right” thing to do, minister tells skeptical Cambridge business owners: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/minister-steven-del-duca-minimum-wage-1.4515363
  • Ottawa school board pulls Fraser Institute essay contest asking if minimum wage hike is a bad idea: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ottawa-carleton-school-board-fraser-institute-essay-contest-minimum-wage-1.4515324

Provisions in new Ontario labour laws up to interpretation, county councillor says:
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2018/02/01/provisions-in-new-ontario-labour-laws-up-to-interpretation-county-councillor-says

Your letters to the editor: Make quality child care affordable:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2018/02/01/your-letters-make-quality-child-care-affordable.html

Human rights tribunal says Ottawa fails to “grasp seriousness” of First Nations child welfare crisis:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/ottawa-fnchildwelfare-tribunal-1.4513951

Local Hamilton organizations make their 2018 budget pitches:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8099171-local-organizations-make-their-2018-budget-pitches/

 

Ontario

Ontario filled nearly 1 million prescriptions for free this month:
https://www.blogto.com/city/2018/01/ontario-filled-nearly-1-million-prescriptions-free-month/

Government document: Improvements to social assistance in 2017:
http://ssvp.on.ca/socjus/pdf/advocacy/2017-SOCIAL-ASSISTANCE-CHANGES.pdf

Two Ontario ministries to pull funding from African Canadian Legal Clinic:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2018/01/29/two-ontario-ministries-to-pull-funding-from-african-canadian-legal-clinic.html

  • New clinic serving Black Ontarians gets backing of Legal Aid: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/31/new-clinic-serving-black-ontarians-gets-backing-of-legal-aid.html

Sun editorial: Ontario Tories do the right thing, but at their peril:
http://torontosun.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-ontario-tories-do-the-right-thing-but-at-their-peril

Christine Elliott, Caroline Mulroney to both run for PC leader:
http://www.680news.com/2018/02/01/caroline-mulroney-christine-elliott-run-ontario-pc-party-leadership/

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

Information Alert: Arts grants now exempt in ODSP and OW:
http://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/arts-grants-now-exempt-in-odsp-and-ow/

Petition: Make Ontario a world leader in social assistance and income security:
https://www.change.org/p/kathleen-wynne-make-ontario-a-world-leader-in-social-assistance-and-income-security

Petition: Tell Ontario to make planning regulations that will create affordable housing:
https://mailchi.mp/20a90a630562/tell-canadas-prime-minister-to-make-affordable-housing-a-human-right-1208313

January 31: Learn your legal rights and responsibilities in Family Law:
https://www.meetup.com/ontariobarassociation/events/246651052/

WAC: New workers’ rights training sessions in February and March 2018:
https://mailchi.mp/workersactioncentre/free-training-on-new-workers-rights-2757145?e=51059eb750

Global Labour Research Centre: Know your Employment Standards rights:
http://glrc.apps01.yorku.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/KYR-ESA-2018.pdf

When a landlord can take over a rental unit: Reasonable Doubt:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/when-a-landlord-can-take-over-a-rental-unit-reasonable-doubt/

Stats Can Study: How temporary were Canada’s temporary foreign workers?
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/180129/dq180129b-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can: Consumer Price Index: Annual review, 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/180126/dq180126b-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can: Consumer Price Index, December 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/180126/dq180126a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Socialist Project pamphlet: Basic income in the neoliberal age:
https://socialistproject.ca/pamphlets/basic-income-neoliberal-age/

Study: Sorry Doctor, I Can’t Afford the Root Canal, I Have a Job: Canadian Dental Care Policy and the Working Poor:
http://journal.cpha.ca/index.php/cjph/article/view/1964/2301

 

Around the Province

East Hamilton tenants rally to fight spike in rent:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8101055-east-hamilton-tenants-rally-to-fight-spike-in-rent/

“Hopefully somebody will take care of us”: Hamilton workers, retirees face uncertain future:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hsb-receivership-stories-1.4510452

Dufferin County hosts first poverty reduction summit:
http://citizen.on.ca/?p=10834

Local data shows healthy food out of reach for many in North Bay:
https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/local-data-shows-healthy-food-out-of-reach-for-many-in-our-community-822641

Niagara Region questions CHPI funding from the province:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2018/01/31/region-questions-homeless-funding

Windsor must tackle poverty:
http://windsorstar.com/opinion/letters/reader-letter-windsor-must-tackle-poverty

Wynne peppered with town hall questions in Thunder Bay:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/wynne-peppered-with-town-hall-questions-827943

City of Toronto: Monitoring deaths of people experiencing homelessness:
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-inspections-monitoring/monitoring-deaths-of-homeless-people/

At-risk Toronto Community Housing tenants often treated unfairly, ombudsman says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2018/01/26/at-risk-toronto-community-housing-tenants-often-treated-unfairly-ombudsman-says.html

Where’s the oversight for TCHC repairs?
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/levy-wheres-the-oversight-for-tchc-repairs

Opposition to Toronto homeless shelter might be peak NIMBY:
http://www.metronews.ca/views/toronto/torys-toronto-matt-elliott/2018/01/28/matt-elliott-opposition-to-annex-homeless-shelter-might-be-peak-nimby.html

Survey of Toronto drop-in users highlights inner city needs:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/01/26/survey-of-toronto-drop-in-users-highlights-inner-city-needs.html

In the wake of #MeToo, a Toronto legal clinic sees “astronomical jump” in sexual assault help requests:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/in-the-wake-of-metoo-a-toronto-legal-clinic-sees-astronomical-jump-in-sexual-assault-help-requests-1.4508393

 

Across the Country

Mind the gap: St. John’s wage inequality worst in Atlantic Canada:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-johns-highest-wage-inequality-atlantic-canada-1.4507110

New Brunswick reveals $9.6 billion budget with 11th straight deficit, but no increase to social assistance rates:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/new-brunswick-reveals-96-billion-budget-with-11th-straight-deficit/article37786492/

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage going up to new high: The total increase is 15 cents an hour:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2018/01/31/nova-scotia-s-minimum-wage-going-up-to-new-high.html

Infographic: NS minimum wage to go up to $11 an hour in April:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1541645-infographic-n.s.-minimum-wage-to-go-up-to-11-an-hour-in-april

$15 minimum wage doable in Nova Scotia as long as we take it slow, says businessman:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-15-minimum-wage-possible-1.4513902

Caregiver benefits only in Nova Scotia:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/more/thriving-50/1539544-caregiver-benefits-only-in-n.s.

Winnipeg coffee shop responds to break-in by donating part of sales to homeless shelter:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/parlour-coffee-break-in-main-street-project-1.4515471?cmp=rss

Inflation, tax increase put pressure on Saskatchewan’s low-income residents: Economist:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sask-inflation-rate-high-1.4506386

New Saskatchewan premier has big to-do list, shifts party to the right:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/big-decisions-await-premier-designate-scott-moe-1.4507897

Onion Lake Cree Nation receives support of humanitarian group:
http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/onion-lake-cree-nation-receives-support-of-humanitarian-group

Homeless in Vancouver: Bureaucrats versus the car dwellers on Evans and Glen:
https://www.straight.com/life/1025871/homeless-vancouver-bureaucrats-versus-car-dwellers-evans-and-glen

Vancouver tenants find strength in numbers to fight soaring costs, evictions in city’s hot housing market:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-tenants-find-strength-in-numbers-to-fight-soaring-costs-evictions-in-city-s-hot-housing-market-1.4510463

Vancouver vigilantes take housing matters into their own hands:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/vancouver/vancouver-vigilantes-take-housing-matters-into-their-own-hands/article37716250/

BC poverty reduction consultation meeting slated for Williams Lake February 2:
https://www.wltribune.com/news/poverty-reduction-consultation-meeting-slated-for-williams-lake/

Several ways Quesnel, BC residents can provide input on poverty reduction:
https://www.quesnelobserver.com/community/several-ways-area-residents-can-provide-input/

Poverty reduction focus of community meeting in Cranbrook, BC:
https://www.e-know.ca/regions/cranbrook/poverty-reduction-focus-community-meeting/

Preliminary count confirms more than 1,400 people in B.C. died after taking drugs in 2017:
https://www.straight.com/news/1026651/preliminary-count-confirms-more-1400-people-bc-died-after-taking-drugs-2017

Union donation helps Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition expand homelessness project:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/union-donation-yukon-anti-poverty-1.4507823

The Yukon has to find a way to pay for day care:
https://www.yukon-news.com/opinion/the-yukon-has-to-find-a-way-to-pay-for-day-care/

Some fear human rights decision on vouchers vs cash for social assistance payments will hurt families in the Beaufort Delta Region:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/aklavik-social-assistance-changes-1.4512287

 

National

Huge wasteful subsidies to corporations deplete funds for social programs:
http://rabble.ca/news/2018/01/huge-wasteful-subsidies-corporations-deplete-funds-social-programs

Federal analysis outlines how extra EI benefit program topped $1.92 billion: https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/federal-analysis-outlines-how-extra-ei-benefit-program-topped-1-92-billion-1.3782807

Andrew Scheer pitches tax break for new parents:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/scheer-new-parents-tax-credit-1.4513881

Top CRA executives pocket $35,000 a year in performance pay:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/taxes-cra-executives-performance-pay-1.4509390

“Grossly unfair”: Disabled veterans take pension battle with Liberals to Supreme Court:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/disabled-veterans-equitas-supreme-court-1.4510457

Economy firing on all cylinders as Canada sees best growth in six months:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-rebounds-in-november-expands-04-per-cent/article37801536/?click=sf_globefb

Calls to amend bankruptcy and insolvency laws to better protect pensioners can no longer be ignored:
http://www.goderichsignalstar.com/2018/01/29/calls-to-amend-bankruptcy-and-insolvency-laws-can-no-longer-be-ignored

The Canadian company behind this Mongolian mine has avoided half a billion dollars in taxes, report:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/8102347-the-canadian-company-behind-this-mongolian-mine-has-avoided-half-a-billion-dollars-in-taxes-report/

 

International

New Zealand PM announces targets with plan to halve child poverty within 10 years:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11985561

Australia’s Labor party considering options to peg minimum wage to median income:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jan/31/labor-considering-options-to-peg-minimum-wage-to-median-income

Three quarters of Australia food delivery riders earn less than minimum wage, union says:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-31/three-quarters-of-food-delivery-riders-earn-below-minimum-wage/9376116

White-collar unionization is good for all workers:
https://www.thenation.com/article/white-collar-unionization-is-good-for-everybody/

Where the US work-for-welfare movement is heading:
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20180128/281848644034704

  • Wisconsin GOP starts overhaul of state’s welfare system: “Benefits were never intended to be permanent”: http://fox6now.com/2018/01/31/10-bills-part-of-welfare-overhaul-special-session-benefits-were-never-intended-to-be-permanent/
  • What happens to people who fail work requirements for Medicaid in the US?: http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-what-happens-to-people-who-fail-work-requirements.html
  • The health threats of welfare stigma: https://daily.jstor.org/the-health-threats-of-welfare-stigma/
  • Why people in the US love “assistance to the poor” but hate “welfare”:
    http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/43391-why-people-love-assistance-to-the-poor-but-hate-welfare

How to end poverty in California – a $25 per hour minimum wage:
http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/How-to-end-poverty-in-California-12529383.php

  • Increase the minimum wage in Vermont: http://www.caledonianrecord.com/opinion/letters/increase-minimum-wage—geoffrey-cobden/article_0b0a568f-50cd-5567-9f25-86a0eff46098.html
  • Proposed bill would raise Indiana minimum wage to $10 next year, $15 by 2021: https://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/indianapolis/proposed-bill-would-raise-minimum-wage-to-10-next-year-15-by-2021
  • Pennsylvania surrounded by states that have raised minimum wage, but it’s still $7.25 here: https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/01/29/pa-surrounded-states-have-raised-minimum-wage-but-its-still-7-25-here/1074470001/
  • New York joins states requiring employers to give workers paid leave: http://buffalonews.com/2018/01/28/new-york-joins-states-requiring-employers-to-give-workers-paid-leave/

America’s child poverty rate remains stubbornly high despite important progress:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-01-america-child-poverty-stubbornly-high.html

UK’s homelessness rise is “due to welfare reform”:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-5327441/Homelessness-rise-welfare-reform.html

Complaints about UK minimum wage violations double:
https://www.ft.com/content/dd9cb066-02be-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5

Food poverty: One in four UK parents have skipped meals in order to make ends meet, finds survey:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/food-poverty-parents-skip-meals-household-budget-debt-money-finances-feed-children-a8183426.html

Irish homeless charities faced with gagging order “stopping them criticising government policy”:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/homeless-charity-gagged-criticising-policy-dublin-government-statistics-wiki-a8181271.html

2.7 million German workers paid less than minimum wage in 2016, study finds:
https://www.thelocal.de/20180129/27-million-workers-paid-less-than-minimum-wage-in-2016-study-finds

Empowering the powerless: Let’s end energy poverty:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/empowering-the-powerless-lets-end-energy-poverty

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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.