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Media & Policy News: 22 January 2016

January 22, 2016

Top Stories

Oxfam: Wealth of richest 1% now equal to other 99%, and 62 people’s wealth now equal to the poorest half of humanity:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35339475

  • Here’s how rich those 62 people are: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/how-the-worlds-richest-people-own-more-than-half-the-planetdoes/article28236362/?click=sf_globefb
  • Oxfam calls for a crackdown on tax havens: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/super-rich-62-people-world-160118033855025.html
  • Wealth of richest 62 people has risen 44% since 2010: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/richest-62-people-own-same-as-half-worlds-population-oxfam-davos-1.3408049
  • “No one credible will say this is good for the world or good for the economy”: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/global-wealth-inequality_56991defe4b0ce4964242e09?
  • “Far from trickling down, income and wealth are instead being sucked upwards at an alarming rate”: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/widening-wealth-gap/424695/
  • Oxfam petition to Prime Minister Trudeau on poverty, inequality, and women’s rights: https://act.oxfam.org/canada/ask-our-new-prime-minister

Spec Editorial: 2016 is the perfect time to fix social assistance:
http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6210815-the-spectator-s-view-it-s-a-perfect-time-to-fix-social-assistance/

  • Spec Op-Ed: To fix social assistance, talk to recipients: http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6232814-to-fix-social-assistance-talk-to-recipients/
  • Yes, social assistance must be fixed, but no one should lose out: http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/blog/?post=Transformation+of+Ontario+Social+Assistance+System+Needed+but+those+with+Disabilities+Should+not+be+Forgotten&id=320

Labour Ministry inspection finds 78% of Ontario employers violating the Employment Standards Act:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/20/inspection-blitz-finds-three-quarters-of-bosses-breaking-law.html

  • Star editorial: Educate employers on responsibilities to workers: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/01/20/educate-employers-on-responsibilities-to-workers-editorial.html

National health ministers agree to tackle drug prices, home care, and mental health:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/health-ministers-vancouver-1.3414317

  • Ontario Health Minister Hoskins on Metro Morning about the potential for a national Pharmacare plan: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/pharmacare-1.3415173

CCPA Ontario: No “debt wall” in Ontario:
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/01/21/ontario-not-facing-debt-wall-says-study-of-provinces-fiscal-health.html

  • Here’s the report: “No Crisis on the Horizon: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/no-crisis-horizon

Research shows highly skilled second-generation migrants face an “ethnic penalty” – they earn less than the general Canadian population even though they’re more likely to have a university degree:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/migrant-workers-face-ethnic-penalty-in-job-market-u-of-a-researcher-1.3402753

Star letters to the editor: Top CEO salaries are immoral:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2016/01/16/top-ceo-salaries-immoral.html

CCPA: Trans-Pacific Partnership will cost Canada 58,000 and won’t grow the economy:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/01/18/tpp-will-cost-canada-jobs-wont-grow-economy/

“Just because I’m on welfare doesn’t mean I need to look poor”:
https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/just-because-im-on-welfare-doesnt-mean-i-need-to-162023195.html

 

Ontario

Is getting the Ontario Works Basic Needs Allowance helping or hindering youth who are homeless?
http://homelesshub.ca/blog/basic-needs-allowance-helping-or-hindering-youth

Ontario moves forward with provincial pension plan:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-moves-forward-with-provincial-pension-plan/article28235352/

Students calling for a funded tuition freeze in Ontario:
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=39525

Minister of Health says Ontario hospitals will have to offer discounted parking options:
http://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-hospitals-will-have-to-offer-discounted-parking-options-hoskins-1.2741687

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns

Study: Growing up poor alters children’s brains and increases likelihood of depression:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/children/12106267/Growing-up-poor-alters-childrens-brains-and-increases-likelihood-of-depression-study.html

  • More detailed coverage: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305208.php

CLEO: On the Radar: Misclassifying employees as independent contractors:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=acaece29df8d07c95ef84a763&id=705deb4b74

Canadians for Tax Fairness Book Review: The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The scourge of tax havens:
http://www.taxfairness.ca/en/blog/book-review-hidden-wealth-nations

Wellesley Institute Event February 9: Improving Access to Health Care for People who are Uninsured:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/improving-access-to-health-care-for-people-who-are-uninsured-tickets-20710123537

Mowat Centre report: Back from the Brink: Lessons from the federal-provincial dispute about the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan:
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1bb1469277169753440444d73&id=321630eb36&e=21403e3832

Worth Repeating: The impact of converting federal non-refundable tax credits into refundable credits:
http://www.policyschool.ucalgary.ca/?q=content/impact-converting-federal-non-refundable-tax-credits-refundable-credits

 

Around the Province

Goodwill Toronto stores across the GTA close abruptly as CEO says they face “a cash flow crisis”:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/17/16-ontario-goodwill-stores-shut-down.html

  • Stores will be closed until further notice: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gta-goodwill-closures-1.3408837
  • Workers blast charity’s CEO over closures: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/20/goodwill-workers-blast-charitys-ceo-over-store-closures.html
  • Star editorial: Goodwill must answer questions and rebuild trust: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/01/19/goodwill-must-answer-questions-and-rebuild-trust-editorial.html
  • Goodwill CEO says workers will be paid today, and ROEs are on the way: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/22/goodwill-boss-promises-laid-off-workers-back-pay-and-employment-records.html
  • Keenan: Goodwill’s descent is a disagrace: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/22/goodwills-descent-a-disgrace-keenan.html
  • Unions could save Goodwill Toronto from incompetent management: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/nora-loreto/2016/01/unions-could-save-goodwill-toronto-incompetent-management

Haldimand-Norfolk has Ontario’s highest percentage of residents without access to healthy food:
http://www.norfolknews.ca/news-story/6239679-target-poverty-to-eliminate-food-insecurity-health-unit/

First ever homelessness count in Thunder Bay underway:
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/380016/First-ever_local_homeless_count_underway_

  • Local couple who are homeless express thanks for attention to homelessness: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/380041/Homeless_couple_expresses_thanks_for_count
  • Homeless count turnout overwhelms organizer: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/380045/Homeless_count_turnout_shocks_organizers
  • People in Thunder Bay who are homeless are hoping the count leads to housing: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-homeless-hoping-count-leads-to-housing-1.3407951

Hamilton advocates plead for City to continue funding trustee program for people on social assistance:
http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/6238358-hamilton-advocates-plead-for-city-to-fund-needed-social-service-program/

Hamilton Legal Clinic: What is gentrification? And what can we do about it?
http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/blog/?post=What+is+Gentrification%3F++What+can+we+do+about+it%3F&id=318

Frontenac County community group gets Trillium grant for transportation for people on OW and ODSP:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/01/15/transportation-group-receives-trillium-grant

Toronto’s anti-poverty strategy overlooks the possibilities of green jobs:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/city-hall/toronto-anti-poverty-strategy-overlooks-green-jobs-possibilities/

 

Across the Country

NWT mother forced to evict two of her kids to get income support to stay housed:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-rental-support-overcrowding-1.3396065

Saskatoon father calls for living wages for child care workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatoon-father-calls-for-higher-wages-for-child-care-workers-1.3403031

Quebec daycares protest $120 million in provincial funding cuts:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-daycares-protest-cuts-spending-1.3408380

  • Daycares threaten closures over these cuts: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-daycare-strikes-1.3400055

Quebec welfare cuts mean some drug rehab centres can’t treat people who can’t pay the daily fees:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/rehab-centre-melaric-dianova-welfare-1.3408032

  • Drug and alcohol rehab centres worried about welfare cuts: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-welfare-cuts-worry-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centres-1.3063151

A majority of Quebecers support principles of the Charter; many express intolerance towards those receiving social assistance:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/a-majority-of-quebecers-support-the-key-principles-of-the-charter-of-human-rights-and-freedoms-according-to-a-new-survey-565279021.html

Inuk man who is homeless gave teenager the coat off his back – profile here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/putulik-qumaq-homeless-inuk-man-1.3403482?cmp=abfb

EI numbers paint grisly picture in Alberta and Saskatchewan:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/employment-insurance-numbers-paint-grisly-picture-in-alberta-saskatchewan/article28306709/

  • Edmonton company offers “layoff insurance” to cover six months of mortgage payments: http://edmontonjournal.com/business/local-business/layoff-insurance-suitable-for-the-times-edmonton-business-says
  • Unemployed oil and gas workers hope for urgent improvements to EI: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/unemployed-calgary-oil-and-gas-worker-hopes-for-ei-extension-1.3404942
  • Federal Finance Minister Morneau says he’s listening to Albertans’ concerns: http://www.660news.com/2016/01/15/morneau-assures-hes-listening-to-albertans-concerns/

CBC Atlantic Broadcaster Jackie Torrens discovers what it’s like to live on welfare for one week:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2674231087

Winnipeg “Poverty Fire” event to crowdsource solutions to racism and poverty:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/01/21/winnipeg-event-to-crowdsource-solutions-to-racism-poverty.html

Vancouver’s Insite supervised-injection site gets stamp of approval from Health Minister Philpott:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/insite-gets-stamp-of-approval-from-canadas-health-minister/article28332223/

Yukon man who has dementia should not be sitting in a jail cell: advocates:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-ndp-dementia-titus-charlie-jail-1.3402784

Newborn taken from Calgary mother 24 hours after birth despite no concerns about caregiving:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2016/01/13/newborn-taken-from-calgary-mother-24-hours-after-birth.html

 

National

First Nations seek urgent action on deplorable health conditions:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/first-nations-seek-urgent-action-on-deplorable-health-conditions/article28210132/

Canada urgently needs a national housing program:
http://rabble.ca/news/2016/01/canada-urgently-needs-national-housing-program-say-advocates

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women inquiry must deal with indigenous women’s inequality:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missingwomen-carolyn-bennett-inquiry-feminism-1.3407921?cmp=abfb

Advocate says Canada’s refugee system has undergone a “sea change” since the Liberals took over:
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/01/18/liberals-introduce-sea-change-to-canadas-refugee-system/

  • Hitting pause on resettling Syrian refugees to allow agencies time to find appropriate housing: http://globalnews.ca/news/2464134/syrian-families-fill-up-ottawa-hotels-as-federal-government-pauses-flow-of-refugees/

CPP Investment Board has come out against divesting from fossil fuel companies:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/scott-vrooman/2016/01/canada-pension-plan-thinks-it-can-convince-morality-intolerant-

The Canadian dollar is falling too far and too fast, making currency instability a big concern:
http://business.financialpost.com/investing/trading-desk/currency-instability-now-a-serious-concern-for-canada?__lsa=fbcd-9488

Feds’ two-year $10 billion infrastructure plan to focus on “deferred maintenance backlog” including social infrastructure:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/amarjeet-sohi-toronto-1.3413383

  • 2016 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card: http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182&id=df2da8cc57&e=b26be9b7f6

Feds wind down controversial CRA political-activity audit program:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/20/liberals-wind-down-controversial-political-audits-of-charitable-groups_n_9030304.html

All Pearson, no Pierre: Inside Trudeau’s inner circle:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/inside-trudeaus-inner-circle/article28079401/?click=sf_globefb

Preston Manning: Recharging the Canadian right:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/why-the-canadian-right-needs-to-recharge-and-how-to-do-it/article28225596/

 

International

Greek unions to hold general strike on pension reform:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/greek-unions-to-hold-general-strike-on-pension-reform-76084

Muslim women immigrants must improve their English, or else, says UK’s David Cameron:
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/01/18/muslim-women-must-improve-their-english-or-else-says-britains-prime-minister.html

UK anti-poverty tsar Frank Field says Tories’ welfare reform will fail to make work pay:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/benefit-reforms-in-ruins-says-7196792

UK Prime Minister can’t “blitz” poverty by bulldozing housing estates:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/19/cameron-poverty-bulldozing-housing-estates

1.5 million UK benefit claimants may be facing destitution after disappearing from the welfare system:
http://www.themanitoban.com/2016/01/the-systemic-issues-behind-trumps-following/26603/

National cashless welfare card “aimed at stemming alcohol abuse” planned by Australia’s government:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/national-cashless-welfare-card-plan-by-turnbull-government/news-story/097dfa3a1bfc867afa5f8b298c43c248

Nearly half of Washington DC’s homeless youth are LGBTQ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/nearly-half-of-homeless-youth-are-lgbtq-first-ever-city-census-finds/2016/01/13/0cb619ae-ba2e-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html

Kansas lawmakers want to cut off welfare benefits for some lottery winners:
http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article55841685.html

Legislation to require drug testing of welfare recipients in West Virginia gaining traction:
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/651948/Welfare-Drug-Testing-Bill-Moves-Forward.html?nav=515

Governor Andrew Cuomo announces $25 million to address “rampant inequality” in upstate New York:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/12th-proposal-governor-cuomo-s-2016-agenda-combatting-poverty-reducing-rampant-inequality

How social insecurity propels support for politicians like Donald Trump:
http://www.themanitoban.com/2016/01/the-systemic-issues-behind-trumps-following/26603/

Ending poverty is possible: A takeaway from Martin Luther King Jr:
https://bangordailynews.com/2016/01/17/opinion/contributors/ending-poverty-is-possible-a-takeaway-from-martin-luther-king-jr/

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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.