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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: 20 May 2016

May 20, 2016

Top Stories

CCPA study on Indigenous child poverty finds 60% of First Nations children on reserves live in poverty; Indigenous children twice as likely to live in poverty as non-aboriginal children:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/study-finds-60-per-cent-of-first-nations-children-on-reserves-live-in-poverty/article30058247/

  • Here’s the report: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/shameful-neglect
  • Poverty rates speak to suffering and emotional turmoil in communities: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/poverty-rates-speak-to–suffering-and-emotional-turmoil-in-communities-leaders-379858961.html
  • Indigenous child poverty: Act now or risk another lost generation: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/first-nation-children-poverty-1.3586000
  • First Nations poverty needs action: leaders: http://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/6559125-first-nations-poverty-needs-action-leaders/
  • A possible way out of our poverty problem: http://leaderpost.com/opinion/columnists/a-possible-way-out-of-our-poverty-problem
  • CCPA Blog: Hidden poverty on reserves revealed: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/05/17/hidden-poverty-on-reserves-revealed/

Migrant worker program “worse than slavery” after injured workers sent home without treatment:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/gopublic/jamaican-farm-worker-sent-home-in-a-casket-1.3577643

  • Harvesting Freedom petition to Prime Minister Trudeau: https://harvestingfreedom.org/
  • Federal government reviewing temporary foreign worker program: http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/05/16/temporary-foreign-worker-program-under-review/
  • Cole: The shame of our disposable workers: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/05/19/the-shame-of-our-disposable-workers.html
  • What it means to be brown: Cheap labour, scapegoated Muslims and exploited immigrants, from Canada to Qatar: http://www.salon.com/2016/05/09/what_it_means_to_be_brown_cheap_labor_scapegoated_muslims_and_exploited_immigrants_from_canada_to_qatar/

Ontario Association of Food Banks: What happens when the safety net fails?:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ontario-association-of-food-banks/poverty-moms-safety-net_b_9996642.html

  • Is welfare sexist? Provinces cut off benefits if woman’s partner makes too much: https://this.org/2016/05/16/is-welfare-sexist/
  • Stapleton and Sarangi: From solitary confinement to “One to Many”: http://metcalffoundation.com/stories/metcalf-stories/solitary-confinement-series/#from-solitary-confinement-to-one-to-many-content

Op-Ed: Health reform in Ontario must include oral health:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/05/18/health-reform-in-ontario-must-include-oral-health.html

  • Worth Repeating: Canada in need of widespread dental care reform: http://www.digitaljournal.com/life/health/canada-in-need-of-widespread-dental-care-reform/article/465023

Minister of Immigration John McCallum says Syrian refugee reliance on food banks may be “cultural”:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2708590/refugee-use-of-food-banks-could-be-cultural-says-john-mccallum/

  • McCallum says remarks were “insensitive”: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/05/18/syrian-refugees-turn-to-food-banks-immigration-minister-not-overly-concerned.html

The business lobby sets its sights on Canadian pension reform:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/05/16/the-business-lobby-sets-its-sights-on-canadian-pension-reform/

  • Make ORPP universal and nationwide, unions tell Queen’s Park: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/make-orpp-universal-and-nationwide-unions-tell-queens-park-81468
  • Manufacturing group pushes for delay in ORPP: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/manufacturers-orpp-1.3586281
  • Mandatory retirement savings touted as solution to financial demographic challenges: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/mandatory-retirement-savings-touted-as-solution-to-financial-demographic-challenges-81504
  • Mintz: Expanded CPP would mean paying more tax: http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/jack-mintz-want-to-pay-more-income-tax-thats-what-the-liberals-expanded-cpp-could-mean

Toronto Star’s representation of people who are homeless condemned; public editor responds:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/public_editor/2016/05/13/homeless-deserve-their-dignity-too-public-editor.html

Will big pension funds and Ottawa partner to build tomorrow’s infrastructure?:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/05/15/will-big-pension-funds-and-ottawa-partner-to-build-tomorrow-s-infrastructure.html

  • Corcoran: Beware Justin Trudeau’s new pension-plan socialism: http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/terence-corcoran-beware-justin-trudeaus-new-pension-plan-socialism

Early response rate for census “slightly better” than expected:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/early-response-rate-for-census-slightly-better-than-expected-statistics-canada/article30005878/

 

Ontario

Ontario moving to prepaid cards for people on social assistance who don’t have bank accounts:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/16/ontario-trades-cheques-for-debit-cards-for-disabled-people-on-welfare.html

  • Press release: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2016/05/ontario-introduces-reloadable-payment-card-for-social-assistance.html
  • Advocates in Niagara express both cautious optimism and strong concerns: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/05/16/odsp-to-swap-cheques-for-cards-3

Ontario introduces inclusionary zoning legislation:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/18/province-to-give-cities-new-affordable-housing-powers.html

  • Press release: https://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2016/05/ontario-introduces-legislation-to-encourage-more-affordable-housing.html

Ontario proposing to ban fees for child care wait lists:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2016/05/ontario-proposing-to-ban-fees-for-child-care-wait-lists.html

Proposed provincial elections bill would restrict advocacy during city elections:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/proposed-law-would-restrict-advocacy-during-city-elections/

Column: Wynne’s climate strategy will drive millions into energy poverty:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/05/16/wynnes-climate-strategy-will-drive-millions-into-energy-poverty

Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy for Education doesn’t address the real problem:
http://www.parrysound.com/opinion-story/6559346-ontario-s-well-being-strategy-doesn-t-address-the-real-problem/

New “Know Your Rights” video from Ontario Ministry of Labour:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/new-educational-video-called-know-your-rights-ministry-labour

“Baby boxes”, a tradition in Finland, now arriving in Ontario homes:
https://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2016/05/13/baby-boxes-a-tradition-in-finland-now-arriving-in-ontario-homes.html

 

Events, Campaigns, Reports, and Other Good Things

Federal government consultation on Employment Insurance service quality:
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/consultations/ei/service_quality_review.page

June 1: Injured Workers’ Day Rally and March:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1755299884715373/

Take Action on migrant workers’ rights:
http://migrantrights.ca/en/take-action/

http://metcalffoundation.com/stories/metcalf-stories/solitary-confinement-series/#from-solitary-confinement-to-one-to-many-content

Study: Money to low-income families, with no strings attached, gets better outcomes for babies:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/healthy-baby-prenatal-income-benefit-1.3578029

 

Around the Province

Experts calculating the living wage for London:
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/05/11/expert-body-tallying-up-living-wage-for-london

Windsor transit fare hike hits Affordable Pass Program:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/riders-upset-with-transit-windsor-fare-hike

Discussion on poverty Tuesday brings Hugh Segal to Kingston:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/05/15/discussion-on-poverty

Toronto’s landlord licensing plan faces its first test as tenants rally behind it:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/17/tenants-rally-behind-landlord-licensing-plan.html

Pop-up rabies vaccine clinic calms low-income pet owners’ nerves:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/popup-rabies-vaccine-clinic-calms-low-income-pet-owners-nerves-1.3588066

 

Across the Country

Human rights complaint filed over BC deducting mom’s EI parental benefits from husband’s disability assistance:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/05/16/Sooke-Human-Rights-Maternity-Complaint/

Calgary wage offers fall below national average as job market dries up:
http://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/calgary-wage-offers-fall-below-national-average-as-job-market-dries-up

BC Premier Christy Clark’s inaction on housing affordability speaks volumes:
http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/christy_clark_housing_affordability

  • Economist doubts BC Liberals intend to solve Vancouver housing crisis: http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/05/18/news/economist-doubts-bc-liberals-intend-solve-vancouver-housing-crisis

BC Fed calls for better jobs, poverty reduction:
http://cfjctoday.com/article/525711/bc-federation-labour-calls-better-jobs-poverty-reduction

Migrant workers affected by Fort McMurray fire ask for work permit flexibility:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/139432/fire-harried-alberta-temporary-workers-ask-for-open-permits

  • Workers worry about losing life in Canada: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/migrant-workers-who-fled-wildfire-worry-about-losing-life-in-canada

Proposed bill will give Alberta the lowest payday loan costs in the country:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/proposed-bill-will-give-alberta-lowest-payday-loan-costs-in-country-1.3579822

Ontario’s student aid plan much more generous than New Brunswick’s, despite NB Premier’s claims:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/student-aid-tuition-university-n-b-ontario-1.3582204

Nova Scotia social justice “rebel” challenges status quo:
http://www.cumberlandnewsnow.com/News/Local/2016-05-11/article-4525360/Social-justice-%26lsquo%3Brebel%26rsquo%3B-challenges-status-quo/1

 

National

Government reaches $45 million pay-equity deal with federal PSAC employees:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/government-and-union-reach-45m-pay-equity-deal

Trash talking: The problem with trying to solve hunger with corporate food waste:
http://cfccanada.ca/news/trash-talking-problem-trying-solve-hunger-corporate-food-waste

Unequal access to extended EI benefits sows confusion in snubbed regions:
http://rabble.ca/news/2016/05/unequal-access-to-extended-ei-benefits-sows-confusion-snubbed-regions

  • EI claims flat in March: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ei-claims-march-1.3589677

Minister Duclos statement on International Day of Families:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/statement-by-the-minister-of-families-children-and-social-development-on-the-international-day-of-families-579407091.html

Trudeau promises “full protection” with transgender rights bill:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-transgender-rights-1.3584482

  • New bill a good start, but more needs to be done: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/new-bill-just-a-start-to-protect-the-rights-of-transgender-people/article30058266/

Finance Minister Morneau meets for the first time with his hand-picked economic advisory council:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/05/16/ottawa-s-economic-advisers-to-meet-with-morneau-cabinet-members-for-first-time.html

 

International

The Canadian doctor who prescribes income to treat poverty:
https://medium.com/evidencenetwork-ca/the-canadian-doctor-who-prescribes-income-to-treat-poverty-49ebd50c83e9#.ept53k3s5

The basic income experiment that could revolutionize welfare:
http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/the-basic-income-experiment-that-could-revolutionise-welfare/news-story/44d7a5f1076cc2262a6b44e200374055

Court rejects damages in Indiana vs IBM case over faulty automated welfare system:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/No-damages-in-IBM-welfare-case–judge-rules-12983724

Colorado city to use $1.5 million from pot tax to help people who are homeless:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/colorado-city-to-use-15-million-from-pot-tax-to-help-homeless_us_57337d8ce4b0365741117859?te=Upworthy

San Francisco journalists plan to coordinate a “flood” of coverage of homelessness in June:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/16/us/san-francisco-homelessness.html

“What’s best for our children is not having teachers on welfare”:
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/05/harrisburg_school_district_tea_2.html

Research report: Poverty in America: Growing income inequality, shrinking middle class, declining manufacturing pay:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/poverty-in-america-growing-income-inequality-shrinking-middle-class-declining-manufacturing-pay/5525182

Obama administration extends overtime protections to 4.2 million workers:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/obama-administration-extends-overtime-protections-to-4-2-million-workers/

British government’s “conscious cruelty” toward the poor denounced by Loach film at Cannes:
http://nr.news-republic.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=4&articleid=64344845

Cashless welfare card in Australia “getting results”:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2106-cashless-welfare-card-getting-results/news-story/92f78e9129547872d85cde30f99ae473

Dark Money: London’s dirty secret:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/1d805534-1185-11e6-839f-2922947098f0.html#axzz48XzEd6wb

Nearly 1 million over-75s living in poverty in the UK, says report:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36297605

UK tax breaks attacked as “welfare for the wealthy”:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d39ed010-1d02-11e6-b286-cddde55ca122.html#axzz49Cr3ZFZG

Damning report finds 1/3 of Brits fell into poverty under David Cameron’s government:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/damning-report-finds-third-brits-7980219

Report: UK kids who grow up in poverty are more at risk of developing cancer:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/children-who-grow-up-poverty-7996249

UK man with half his skull missing declared “fit for work” by Department of Work and Pensions:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kenny-bailey-dwp_uk_573727fde4b0f0f53e363aa5

Pope: Economy of exclusion, inequality caused growth of poverty:
http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/economy-of-exclusion-inequality-caused-growth-of-poverty-pope-says.cfm

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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.