Top Stories – Federal Budget
Federal Budget 2017: Building a Strong Middle Class:
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2017/home-accueil-en.html
- Budget highlights: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/22/highlights-from-the-2017-federal-budget.html
- Winners and losers of the 2017 federal budget: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/22/winners-and-losers-of-the-2017-federal-budget.html
- The budget that could have been: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2017/03/23/the-budget-that-could-have-been/
- Money for child care is a good first step but not nearly enough: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/22/federal-budget-money-for-child-care-is-a-good-first-step-but-not-nearly-enough-advocates-say.html
- Advocates praise budget’s $11.2 billion boost for affordable housing: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/federalbudget/2017/03/22/advocates-praise-budgets-112b-boost-for-affording-housing.html
- Housing ‘the largest single commitment’ in the budget, but funding falls short of need: https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/03/22/Housing-Commitment-Budget/
- Transit users lose tax break on monthly passes in federal budget: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/22/transit-users-lose-tax-break-on-monthly-passes-in-federal-budget.html
- Liberals fall short with first gender-based federal budget: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-budget-2017-women-gender/article34390564/
- Liberals defer major tax pledge in 2017 budget: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-budget-2017-main-tax-changes/article34387036/
- Budget provides some relief for precarious federally-regulated workers: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/22/budget-provides-some-relief-for-precarious-workers.html
- Federal budget vows $100 million for strategy on gender-based violence: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/federal-budget-2017-unfounded-violence-gender/article34388068/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
- Budget pledges $5 billion for training and employment: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/federal-budget-2017-jobs-training/article34387500/
Organizational Responses:
- ISAC: http://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/the-2017-federal-budget-and-income-security/
- ACORN Canada: https://www.acorncanada.org/acorn-members-disappointed-federal-budget-low-income-internet-support-corporate-innovation-nothing
- Assembly of First Nations: http://www.afn.ca/en/news-media/latest-news/22-3-17-afn-national-chief-perry-bellegarde-says-second-serious-instal
- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/wanted-more-walk-less-talk-today%E2%80%99s-federal-budget
- Canadian Federation of Students: http://cfs-fcee.ca/despite-welcomed-investments-for-indigenous-learners-and-part-time-students-budget-2017-lacks-innovative-vision-for-higher-education/
- Canadians for Public Justice: https://cpj.ca/budget-2017
- Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada: https://ccaac.ca/2017/03/22/multi-year-funding-in-budget-welcome-but-need-significant-boost-in-annual-allocations-to-build-accessible-affordable-quality-child-care-system-over-time/
- Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/housing-co-ops-optimistic-after-federal-budget-616881364.html
- CCPA’s list of other analyses and organizational responses: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/2017-federal-budget-analysis
Top Stories
Saskatchewan redesigning welfare programs to get “able-bodied” people off the dole:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/government-social-services-welfare-redesign-1.4037296
- Saskatchewan to stop paying for funerals and reviewing school supplies benefit for people on social assistance: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sask-stop-paying-funerals-1.4036308
- Saskatchewan’s cruel and unusual budget: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2017/03/23/saskatchewans-cruel-unusual-budget/
Housing groups want BC to double welfare cheques:
http://www.news1130.com/2017/03/20/housing-groups-wants-bc-double-welfare-cheques/
Precarious housing means thousands in Toronto may live on brink of homelessness:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/precarious-housing-1.4036116
- East Toronto MPP pushes for increased rent protection: http://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/7200409-east-toronto-mpp-pushes-for-increased-rent-protection/
Ending racial discrimination means overhauling our employment laws:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/03/21/ending-racial-discrimination-means-overhauling-our-employment-laws-opinion.html
Métis, non-status Indians call for action following historic Daniels ruling:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/metis-non-status-daniels-ruling-1.4034693
Paying people less isn’t economic innovation:
http://vancouversun.com/opinion/opinion-paying-people-less-is-not-economic-innovation
- Precarious jobs scar employees’ mental health: Survey: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/20/precarious-jobs-scar-employees-mental-health-survey.html
- Survey shows stress from insecure work makes workers sick:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/stress-caused-insecure-work-affecting-mental-physical-health-ontario-workers-says-new-2204074.htm
Why a family of 6 in Oakville is living on $36K a year – and not on benefits from WSIB:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/family-of-six-lives-on-36000-a-year-1.4035415
- Miners shine spotlight on broken WSIB system: http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7203413-miners-shine-spotlight-on-broken-wsib-system/
Communities testing basic income project to be announced this spring:
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/communities-testing-basic-income-project-to-be-announced-this-spring-1.3332058
- North Bay holds out hope to be part of basic income pilot project: http://www.nugget.ca/2017/03/18/north-bay-holds-out-hope-to-be-part-of-basic-income-pilot-project
- What Kitchener had to say on basic income: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/feedback-basic-income-pilot-project-kitchener-1.4032753
- Basic Income summary ignores “human touch” in anti-poverty work: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/basic-income-summary-ignores-human-touch-in-anti-poverty-work-616442584.html
Skyrocketing rents are squeezing everyone, but here’s how people are fighting back:
http://torontoist.com/2017/03/skyrocketing-rents-squeezing-everyone-heres-people-fighting-back/
- Canada has among world’s highest rates of “severe” rental costs: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/03/14/rental-rates-canada_n_15360468.html
- Politicians finally say they’ll prioritize tenants, and it’s about time: http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/03/20/tenants-rights-1991-law-matt-elliott.html
- Star editorial: Apply rent controls on newer buildings: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/03/20/apply-rent-controls-on-newer-buildings-editorial.html
- Bill aims to stop unfair rent increases; Hamilton experts say it’s not enough: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7197571-bill-aims-to-stop-unfair-rent-increases-hamilton-experts-say-it-s-not-enough
Op-ed: A portable housing benefit could ease our homeless crisis:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/a-portable-housing-benefit-could-ease-our-homeless-crisis/article34341148/
- Out of the Cold: Is Toronto’s shelter system at a breaking point?:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/out-of-the-cold-1.4029275?autoplay=true
Baby bonuses, Canada’s first universal welfare program, came into effect this week 72 years ago:
http://www.yorktonthisweek.com/entertainment/local-a-e/canada-150-baby-bonus-was-first-universal-welfare-program-1.12654173
Monthly EI numbers drop slightly in January:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/january-2017-employment-insurance-1.4037465
Why you should file your income taxes – especially if you don’t make a lot of money:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/why-you-should-file-your-income-taxes-especially-if-you-don-t-mak/
Ontario
Ontario on track to balance budget next month:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/03/21/ontario-on-track-to-balance-budget-next-month.html
‘Ridiculously out of reach’ hydro bills have rural Ontarians turning to churches for help:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.4027834/ridiculously-out-of-reach-hydro-bills-have-rural-ontarians-turning-to-churches-for-help-1.4027835
New OSAP rules mean “free” tuition for mature students; Ontario launches online calculator:
http://www.macleans.ca/education/new-osap-rules-mean-free-tuition-for-mature-students/
‘Extremely unlikely’ Liberals can win election under Wynne, says Greg Sorbara:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/greg-sorbara-kathleen-wynne-ontario-liberals-1.4036033
Wynne’s approval rating sinks to 12 percent – an all-time low:
http://angusreid.org/premier-approval-march2017/
Will Wynne call an early election?:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/03/20/will-wynne-call-an-early-election
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Demand rent-hike protection is extended to all Ontario tenants:
http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=60bf3f6cccaf8f90555cb0d04&id=5acf7edd7e&e=96448c90d9
March 30 in Hamilton: Tax Time: Awareness of benefits available:
http://us13.campaign-archive1.com/?u=c8b37c6bca2cddff796f96ed6&id=1060c77ad4
April 5: ISARC Multi-Faith Prayer Vigil on Ontario’s Budget:
http://isarc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MultiFaith-Prayer-Vigil-Flyer.pdf
Stats Can: Aboriginal seniors in population centres in Canada, 2012:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170321/dq170321e-eng.htm
Stats Can: Employment Insurance, January 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170323/dq170323a-eng.htm
Stats Can: Consumer Price Index, February 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170324/dq170324a-eng.htm
Around the Province
Province announces $11.3 million increase in homelessness funding for London:
http://blackburnnews.com/london/london-news/2017/03/17/province-boosts-spending-fight-homelessness/
Niagara Poverty Reduction Network giving local people a say in national poverty reduction strategy:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2017/03/22/have-your-say-on-poverty-reduction-strategy
Female migrant workers are actually heroes:
https://www.niagarathisweek.com/opinion-story/7199873-heck-female-migrant-workers-are-actually-heroes/
People on Ontario Works express frustration with Ottawa’s low-income bus pass:
http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/7195599-ontario-works-clients-express-frustration-with-equipass/
Quinte area job fair aims to connect refugees with employers:
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2017/03/22/job-fair-aims-to-connect-refugees-with-employers
The transit city that could have been in Toronto:
https://www.theethnicaisle.com/transit-issue/2017/3/6/david-miller
Across the Country
Charlottetown public forum aims to overcome ‘wall of disbelief’ over abuse of migrant workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-migrant-worker-public-forum-1.4036337
No easy answers to poverty in Cape Breton:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/news/local/2017/3/22/no-easy-answers-to-poverty-in-cape-breton.html
Winnipeg needs a poverty reduction plan, advocates say:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2017/03/20/winnipeg-needs-a-poverty-reduction-plan-advocates-say.html
- Manitoba government paves the way for Uber, and wage freezes for public servants:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/unions-pallister-uber-tuition-election-1.4032911 - Manitoba to impose two-year public sector wage freeze:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/province-to-impose-two-year-public-sector-wage-freeze-416646124.html
Saskatchewan’s austerity budget hurts people who are poor; cuts respond to problems of government’s own making:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-s-austerity-budget-comes-too-late-1.4036468
- Riders and employees fuming after Saskatchewan shutters bus service: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-bus-company-stc-end-service-shut-down-1.4036612
- Letter to the Editor: Cutting public sector workers’ wages in Saskatchewan would be unfair and unwise:
http://leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/letter-of-the-day-cutting-public-sector-workers-wages-would-be-unfair-and-unwise
Alberta to fund $120 million for Indigenous affordable housing:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/03/20/alberta-to-fund-120m-for-indigenous-affordable-housing.html?cq_ck=1489980331845
Tenants say new single mother housing project in Saanich, BC “not affordable”:
http://linkis.com/www.cheknews.ca/ASQiQ
- Homelessness in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside reaching crisis levels:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/local+news/downtown+eastside+homelessness+reaching+crisis+levels/13160633/story.html - Why low-income working families in BC are often ‘mired’ in social housing:
http://www.timescolonist.com/life/islander/why-low-income-working-families-are-often-mired-in-social-housing-1.12211392 - BC has worst performing economy in Canada for young people: Report:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2017/03/15/bc-has-worst-performing-economy-in-canada-for-young-people0.html
National
Ensuring decent work for young Canadians:
http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2017/ensuring-decent-work-for-young-canadians/
Study shows Canadian immigration system’s shift toward migrant workers:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/03/22/study-shows-canadian-immigration-systems-shift-toward-migrant-workers.html
Panama Papers have helped fuel ‘a more aggressive CRA’:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/20/panama-papers-have-helped-fuel-a-more-aggressive-cra.html
- The tax perk for wealthy CEOs that will cost Canada $840 million this year: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/stock-option-deduction-tax-rate-1.4030442
Canadian manufacturing sales climb in January, marking third consecutive month of growth:
https://www.bnn.ca/manufacturing-sales-climb-in-january-marking-third-consecutive-month-of-growth-1.699034
Almost half of Canadians want illegal border crossers deported: Poll:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/almost-half-of-canadians-want-illegal-border-crossers-deported-poll/article34346023/
Canadians don’t support the House of Commons motion condemning Islamophobia: Poll:
http://angusreid.org/islamophobia-motion-103/
International
Australian families to lose hundreds from welfare cuts:
http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/families-lose-hundreds-from-welfare-cuts/news-story/ea9089bfc1a4d2c576dd90111ca659dd
- Tasmanian Senator criticizes cuts to benefits, citing lived experience: https://startsat60.com/trending/news/jacquie-lambie-breaks-down-in-parliament-about-welfare
- Australian government to cut low-income drug benefit cards for welfare recipients and pensioners: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/turnbull-government-could-cut-concession-cards-from-welfare-recipients/news-story/28a7d2365e70214c55c8d1e1865bec18
Indigenous man in Australia says welfare payment hinges on 35km daily trek: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/mar/24/walk-for-the-dole-indigenous-man-says-payment-hinges-on-35km-daily-trek
Top British bosses earn nearly 400 times more than minimum wage:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/european-business/top-british-bosses-earn-nearly-400-times-more-than-minimum-wage/article34380485/
The UK’s fit-to-work tests ‘cause permanent damage to mental health,’ study finds:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/fit-to-work-wca-tests-mental-health-dwp-work-capability-assessment-benefits-esa-pip-a7623686.html
- Trapped: The growing number of people with disabilities in the UK unable to leave their homes:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/15/disabled-people-suffer-inaccessible-social-housing
Girls from low-income families in England struggle to afford sanitary protection:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/mar/18/child-poverty-teachers-schools-sanitary-towels-low-income-families
- The campaign to end period poverty would provide free tampons to low-income students:
http://thetab.com/uk/2017/03/21/theres-now-campaign-end-period-poverty-providing-free-tampons-deprived-students-35699
A striking number of US college students are hungry and homeless:
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/03/a-striking-number-of-college-students-are-hungry-and-homeless/519678/
Some lawmakers worry children will suffer under new Florida work-for-welfare bill:
http://saintpetersblog.com/lawmakers-worry-children-will-suffer-new-florida-work-welfare-bill/
Disney pays $3.8 million for violating minimum wage rules:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/disney+pays+million+violating+minimum+wage+rules/13139469/story.html
What happens when a poor US city raises its minimum wage to $15?:
https://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2017/03/will-raising-the-minimum-wage-hurt-or-help-baltimore/520119/
Rich New Yorkers ask state to raise their taxes:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rich-new-yorkers-ask-state-raise-their-taxes-n736596
60% of low-income Dutch children have at least one parent with a job:
http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/03/new-approach-needed-to-combat-dutch-child-poverty-says-think-tank/
Forty percent of children under 14 live in poverty in Brazil:
http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/forty-percent-of-children-under-14-live-in-poverty-in-brazil/
The gig economy celebrates working yourself to death:
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/jia-tolentino/the-gig-economy-celebrates-working-yourself-to-death