• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

ISAC works to address issues of income security and poverty in Ontario

  • Our Work
    • Litigation
    • Policy
    • Community Organizing
    • Public Education
  • Campaigns
  • Publications
  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision & Mandate
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Board Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Updates
  • Resources
  • Twitter
  • en English
    zh-CN 简体中文en Englishfr Françaisit Italianopt Portuguêses Español

Media & Policy News: 22 April 2016

April 22, 2016

Top Stories

Health Quality Ontario report links income inequality to inequities in health risks, care, and outcomes:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-joshua-tepper/poverty-health-risks_b_9739192.html

  • Poor people more likely to have shorter lifespans: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/health-quality-ontario-warns-poor-people-more-likely-to-have-shorter-lifespans-1.2866938
  • Here’s the report: http://www.hqontario.ca/System-Performance/Specialized-Reports/Health-Equity-Report

Federal government moves to introduce new Canada Child Benefit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/04/18/federal-government-introduces-enhanced-child-benefit-plan_n_9723284.html

  • Department of Finance press release: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n16/16-052-eng.asp
  • A primer on federal child benefits: http://thestarphoenix.com/business/money/mcbride-a-primer-on-child-benefits

Problems with Disability Tax Credit yet to be fixed; Delay hurting people with disabilities:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxes/tax-time-2016-disability-credit-1.3463755

April 19 was Equal Pay Day in Ontario:

  • CCPA report shows the pay gap ladder between men and women gets steeper as incomes rise: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/18/ontarios-gender-pay-gap-ladder-gets-steeper-as-incomes-rise.html
  • Here’s the CCPA report: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/every-step-you-take
  • Pay Equity Commission / Brock University report shows retail workers are particularly hard hit: https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2016/04/brock-labour-expert-releases-report-on-gender-wage-gap-in-retail/
  • More on the latter: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/18/women-in-retail-jobs-hardest-hit-in-by-gender-pay-gap-says-new-report.html
  • Here’s that report: https://revolutionizingretail.org/
  • Star Editorial: Close the wage gap between men and women: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/04/18/close-the-wage-gap-between-men-and-women-editorial.html
  • Tackling the gender pay gap: http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/angellamacewen/tackling_the_gender_pay_gap
  • Summary report: Ontario receives public input on Gender Wage Gap Strategy: https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2016/04/ontario-receives-public-input-on-the-gender-wage-gap-strategy.html

The fight for $15 and fairness: Activists say US successes can be replicated in Ontario:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/fight-for-15-minimum-wage-and-fairness/

  • Windsor labour and poverty groups campaign in support of $15 minimum wage: http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/local-labour-poverty-groups-campaigning-in-support-of-living-wage
  • Why employers are getting away with breaking Canada’s labour laws (with focus on Ontario): http://globalnews.ca/news/2641197/how-employers-are-getting-away-with-breaking-canadas-labour-laws/?sf24474620=1

Court rules doctor’s claim she was fired for not giving a WSIB-friendly medical opinion can proceed:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/21/doctor-sues-wsib-employer-after-refusing-to-change-medical-opinion.html

Panama Papers / tax fairness:

  • CRA execs treated to soirees amid KPMG probe: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kpmg-canada-revenue-agency-receptions-conferences-1.3540285
  • Opposition says Liberals trying to shield revenue minister from KPMG questions: http://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/12/opposition-says-liberals-trying-to-shield-revenue-minister-from-kpmg-questions/
  • Tax industry has spent five years hosting parties and receptions with CRA staff: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kpmg-canada-revenue-agency-tax-industry-receptions-1.3536946
  • CRA struggling to collect taxes; total uncollected debt soars to $38 billion: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/national/canada+revenue+agency+struggling+collect+taxes+total+uncollected/11858562/story.html
  • Panama Papers outrage can make fair taxes possible: http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2016/04/not-rex/not-rex-panama-papers-outrage-can-make-fair-taxes-possible

Canada’s Health Minister “indicates pharmacare is not part of her mandate” and costs are too high:
http://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/13/mps-begin-study-on-pharmacare-warned-of-high-drug-costs/

  • Council of Canadians: Liberals veto pharmacare as more Canadians can’t fill prescriptions: http://canadians.org/blog/liberals-veto-national-pharmacare-more-canadians-cant-fill-their-prescriptions

Alberta Federation of Labour says Trans-Pacific Partnership will undermine Canada’s labour market:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tpp-trans-pacific-partnership-alberta-federation-labour-1.3542898

  • New CCPA report: Migrant Workers and the Trans-Pacific Partnership: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/migrant-workers-and-trans-pacific-partnership

Public interest groups propose internet access fund for low-income Canadians and those in remote areas:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/crtc-urged-to-consider-fund-to-improve-internet-access-affordability/article29635503/

  • From the hearings: Canadians bring affordability challenge into focus for CRTC commissioners: https://cartt.ca/article/bso-hearing-day-4-individual-canadians-bring-broadband-affordability-challenge-focus
  • Bell says CRTC should stay out of issues of affordability: https://cartt.ca/article/bso-hearing-day-7-bell-tells-commission-stay-out-affordability-question-corrected

Evolving technology and less standard work is driving the guaranteed income discussion:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/guaranteed-income-back-in-vogue-1.3539948
(Ed. note: the level of basic income discussed in this article is less than current basic Ontario welfare)

UNICEF head says Canada must do better on caring for its children:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/04/16/canada-must-do-better-on-caring-for-its-children.html

 

Ontario

Plan to change provincial rental rules prompts fear from advocates of increase in evictions:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rental-changes-1.3546107

Ontario pledges $43 million in retrofits for Toronto social housing buildings:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-invests-retrofits-housing-1.3544761

  • Press release: https://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2016/04/energy-retrofits-coming-to-toronto-social-housing.html

Ontario’s centralized Consultations Directory – find out what they’re consulting on and how to get involved:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultations-directory?_ga=1.106775747.130679407.1433698962

  • Ontario’s public engagement strategy: https://www.ontario.ca/page/public-engagement?_ga=1.40201314.130679407.1433698962

Opposition parties slam government for corporate welfare:
http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6500904-opposition-parties-slam-corporate-welfare/

 

Events, Campaigns, Reports and Other Good Things

From Praxis Makes Perfect: Resources for Organizers:
https://joshuakahnrussell.wordpress.com/resources-for-activists-and-organizers/

Hill Times / Power & Influence: Top 100 most powerful and influential in politics in 2016:
http://www.hilltimes.com/power-influence

Report coming Monday from legal clinic on exploitation of Chinese workers in GTA restaurants:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/media-advisory-community-legal-clinic-releases-report-on-exploitation-chinese-workers-2117262.htm

 

Around the Province

Niagara’s new Living Wage set at $17.47, far higher than the minimum wage:
http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/6502902–living-wage-far-higher-than-ontario-s-minimum-wage/

  • Here’s the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network’s living wage report: http://media.wix.com/ugd/8ea78d_b1d964379aec4b5abfb899884c7b268a.pdf
  • Poverty advocates eye Living Wage: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/04/19/poverty-advocates-eye-living-wage
  • Cambridge becomes Ontario’s first municipality to pledge to become a Living Wage Employer: http://vibrantcanada.ca/blogs/tamarack/making-history-cambridge-adopts-living-wage

London Council Committee sends Advisory Panel on Poverty’s report and recommendations to Council:
http://www.640toronto.com/syn/104/86940/city-committee-signs-off-on-poverty-panel-recommendations

Mental health issues affect 1 in 2 Toronto and Hamilton workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/civicaction-mental-health-toronto-hamilton-1.3540757

Hamilton mayor wants to spend $50 million on poverty reduction, $20 million on housing; develop 10-year plan to align services:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/eisenberger-poverty-reduction-1.3544718

Barrie’s jobless rate sees largest month-over-month increase since October:
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/barrie-s-jobless-rate-jumps-in-march-statistics-canada-1.2851115

Sarnia mayor challenges east coast cities to hire people with disabilities:
http://www.theobserver.ca/2016/04/20/mike-bradley-issues-mayors-challenge-during-nl-visit

Ottawa girding for “month 13” in Syrian refugee settlement, when provincial social services become the social safety net:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/city-preparing-for-month-13-in-syrian-refugee-resettlement

 

Across the Country

Anti-poverty advocates hopeful about PC win in Manitoba:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/anti-poverty-advocates-react-pallister-win-1.3545397

  • But PC victory could signal bad news for CPP expansion: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/pc-victory-in-manitoba-could-signal-bad-news-for-cpp-expansion-80138

Taking cue from Ontario, New Brunswick moving to bursaries that ensure tuition is covered for low- and mid-income students:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/free-tuition-coming-this-fall-for-low-to-mid-income-n-b-students-1.2859588

  • NB student leader says this is likely the start of a trend: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/free-tuition-in-n-b-ontario-likely-start-of-new-trend-student-leader-1.2862854
  • Students in Nova Scotia think their government should do the same: http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2016/04/14/nova-scotia-students-calling-on-province-to-offer-free-tuition.html
  • NB’s “free tuition” policy change leaves unanswered questions: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/free-tuition-policy-questions-1.3542233
  • Critics say free tuition for low-income students “squeezes the middle class”: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/free-tuition-brunswick-tax-credit-1.3537284

Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services says her department should give short-term aid to working people:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/community-services-joanne-bernard-social-assistance-reform-1.3545504

Newfoundland budget is bad news for those already living in poverty:
http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2016-04-17/article-4500739/Budget-is-bad-news-for-those-already-living-in-poverty,-advocate-says/1

Mayor wants council to “stand up for vulnerable Edmontonians and do what’s right” on housing policy:
http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/i-expect-this-council-to-stand-up-for-vulnerable-edmontonians-and-do-whats-right-mayor-says-of-housing-policy

BC advocates decry lack of poverty reduction plan:
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/article_f7291e06-06b3-11e6-9267-63dad665ea29.html

BC Disability Caucus calls for end to clawbacks of other income supports from provincial disability benefits:
https://m.facebook.com/notes/bc-disability-caucus/end-the-clawback-of-other-income-supports-from-the-bc-provincial-pwd-disability-/1741421109436526/

  • Column: Stop the clawbacks for people on disability benefits: http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-hume-stop-the-clawbacks-for-people-on-disability-benefits
  • “I can’t afford a bus”: Clawback of disability benefits sparks protest: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/i-can-t-afford-a-bus-clawback-of-disability-benefits-sparks-protest-1.2233187

BC woman loses kids then loses housing, due to welfare rules, making getting kids back even harder:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/04/13/Supportive-Housing-Catch-22/

  • Dryden creates Aboriginal Homeward Bound program to provide more affordable housing: http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/04/14/Dryden-Single-Parent-Family-Housing/

Child poverty in Cape Breton can be eradicated:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/2016-04-18/article-4500726/Child-poverty-can-be-eradicated/1

Alberta teachers are meeting this week to look into ways of tackling child poverty:
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2016/04/21/conference-focused-on-child-poverty

University of Ottawa students design sustainable farming project to help tackle food security issues in Nunavut:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2016/04/19/university-of-ottawa-students-tackle-nunavut-food-security.html

 

National

Report: Indigenous children make up nearly half of Canadian children in foster care:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/indigenous-kids-made-up-almost-half-of-canadian-foster-children-in-2011statscan/article29616843/

Should other provinces join the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan?:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/have-your-say-should-other-provinces-join-the-orpp-79986

Liberals reaffirm pledge to slash wait times at EI call centres: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-reaffirm-pledge-to-slash-wait-times-at-ei-call-centres/article29683696/

  • Unemployment benefits up in February, lifted by Alberta and Saskatchewan: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2016/4/21/Unemployment-benefits-up-in-February-lifted-by-Alberta-and-Saskatchewan.aspx
  • Great American Insurance announces supplemental coverage to EI benefits in BC: http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/great-american-offers-supplemental-employment-insurance-british-columbia-bfl-1004089058/

Fathers may soon get their own parental leave:
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/04/20/fathers-may-soon-get-their-own-parental-leave/

Canada is mistreating migrant workers; Rex Murphy should direct some outrage here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/syed-hussan/canada-mistreating-migrant-workers_b_9711144.html

 

International

Researchers examine the “wealth effect” of investing in infrastructure in poorer urban areas:
http://www.sciencecodex.com/researchers_find_a_fast_road_out_of_poverty-180517

One in 7 people in Ireland are living in poverty:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/750000-are-now-living-in-poverty-265582.html

UK’s George Osborne calls for global blacklist of tax havens after Panama Papers:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/george-osborne-panama-papers-tax-havens-blacklist-imf

UK fines working poor who claim Universal Credit under “in-work conditionality” program:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/14/dwp-punishing-low-paid-full-time-workers-under-new-benefits-rule?CMP=share_btn_fb

The number of seniors in the US workforce has tripled since the 1970s:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/04/nine-to-five-after-65/390948/

The stress of systemic poverty is killing racial minorities in the US:
https://psmag.com/the-stress-of-systemic-poverty-is-killing-us-1543b5c230e6#.mf2hdzfo1

Bringing solar power and jobs to low-income US neighbourhoods:
http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/01/news/economy/solar-wdc-mark-davis/index.html

The countless ways poverty impacts on people’s health:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-04-20/the-countless-ways-poverty-affects-peoples-health

25% of Greek children live in poverty: UNICEF:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/04/21/unicef-25-of-greek-children-suffer-poverty/

Indigenous peoples around the world are disproportionately poor: UNICEF:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-21/indigenous-peoples-still-live-in-greater-poverty,-report-finds/7344762

Global finance ministers, including Canada’s Morneau, warn of consequences for not adopting new tax evasion rules:
http://www.theprovince.com/business/story.html?id=11855532

Piketty: Act now on Panama Papers, don’t wait for another crisis, and don’t ask politely:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/09/panama-papers-tax-havens-thomas-piketty?CMP=share_btn_tw

Media and Policy News

Primary Sidebar

Blog sidebar

Subscribe

Name

Income Security Advocacy Centre

Footer widget

1500 – 55 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

  • Contact

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.