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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 24 March 2017

March 24, 2017

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

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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.