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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 25 August 2017

August 25, 2017

Top Stories

The truth about food insecurity is that it’s not about food:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/rise-in-food-bank-use-hints-at-larger-issue-across-region-1.4256214

Many Indigenous families not applying for Canada Child Benefit:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-child-benefit-indigenous-1.4211545

CPP changes will disqualify 243,000 from Guaranteed Income Supplement: Report:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cpp-changes-will-disqualify-243000-from-guaranteed-income-supplement-report/article36067917/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com

City of London tops up OW shelter benefits to help people who are homeless:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-chronic-homeless-1.4246842

Waterloo Region councillors defer decision on OW discretionary benefits budget:
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7515789-regional-councillors-defer-decision-on-discretionary-benefits-budget/

Ontario’s OW and ODSP compensation award exemption changes will help sexual abuse survivors:
http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/622496/Crime/Ontario+Disability+Support

Tent City: The voices of Kitchener’s youth homeless protest camp:
| http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/tent-city-the-voices-of-kitchener-s-protest-camp-1.4256925

Ontario government tweaks labour reform bill, no changes to $15 minimum wage phase-in:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3688911/labour-reform-bill-ontario/

  • Labour bill clears hurdle on road to $15-an-hour minimum wage: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/22/labour-bill-clears-hurdle-on-road-to-15-an-hour-minimum-wage.html
  • Debate heats up over minimum wage hike in Ontario: https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/08/25/debate-heats-up-over-minimum-wage-hike-in-ontario.html
  • 25% of local jobs in Timmins at risk under proposed labour law changes: Report:
    https://www.timminstoday.com/local-news/25-per-cent-of-local-jobs-at-risk-under-proposed-labour-law-changes-report-696501
  • Cornwall Chamber warns of Bill 148: http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/news/local/2017/8/21/cornwall-chamber-warns-of-bill-148.html
  • Uxbridge councillors want more info on new employment rules: https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/7514936-uxbridge-councillors-want-more-info-on-new-employment-rules/
  • Will a minimum wage hike put Peterborough jobs at risk?: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2017/08/17/will-a-minimum-wage-hike-put-peterborough-jobs-at-risk
  • Let’s embrace $15 minimum wage: https://www.flamboroughreview.com/opinion-story/7514719-guest-columnist-let-s-embrace-15-minimum-wage/
  • Inflation could help grocery stocks survive the minimum wage apocalypse: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/could-inflation-help-grocery-stocks-survive-the-minimum-wage-apocalypse
  • Star editorial: Ontario is right to lean against growing income inequality:
    https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/08/20/ontario-is-right-to-lean-against-growing-income-inequality-editorial.html

Province seeking more residents for basic income pilot project:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/province-seeking-more-residents-for-basic-income-pilot-project-702209

  • Editorial: Ontario’s two tier income approach:
    http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opinion/editorials/ontario-s–tier-income-approach/article_e2de0e6e-81c5-11e7-b237-bfe5f9c4b864.html
  • The poor need a guaranteed income, not Canadians’ charity:
    https://thewalrus.ca/the-poor-need-a-guaranteed-income-not-our-charity/#.WZnIMEDhTy8.facebook

Op Ed: Income inequality becomes more entrenched in Canada:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1497170-opinion-income-inequality-becomes-more-entrenched-in-canada

Mentally ill people need to be calmed down, not shot:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/mentally-ill-people-need-to-be-calmed-down-not-shot/article36042139/

Study questions why thousands with development disabilities are prescribed antipsychotics:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/23/study-questions-why-thousands-with-developmental-disabilities-are-prescribed-antipsychotics.html

Explainer: What refugee claimants receive from the government:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/asylum-seekers-support-housing-1.4252114

  • Refugees stuck in backlog have a chance at getting out of it – if they can afford the legal fees:
    https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/08/19/refugees-stuck-in-backlog-have-a-chance-at-getting-out-of-it-if-they-can-afford-the-legal-fees.html

Parental leave study shows rich-poor divide:
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.3594439

Economists argue Canada should end the universality in the Old Age Security program: http://globalnews.ca/news/3687306/cpp-oas-reform-costs/

  • A by-the-numbers look at current, future spending on old age security: http://thechronicleherald.ca/canada/1496612-a-by-the-numbers-look-at-current-future-spending-on-old-age-security

Canada’s retirement poverty crisis is avoidable if we act now:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jerry-dias/canadas-retirement-poverty-crisis-is-avoidable-if-we-act-now_a_23080426/?platform=hootsuite

$500K hardship fund for former Sears Canada employees approved by judge:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sears-canada-employees-hardship-fund-1.4253467

There may be good reason to bite the food bank hand that feeds:
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7501740-there-may-be-good-reason-to-bite-the-hand-that-feeds/

Federal government weighs employing “social procurement” plan to support women, minorities:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-weighs-employing-social-procurement-plan-to-support-women-minorities/article36038354/

Coyne: Small businesses take risks. That’s no reason they should get a special tax break:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/andrew+coyne+hate+small+business+just+think+they+should+taxed+fairly/14334820/story.html

 

Ontario

How to overhaul child care in Ontario: A road map for revolution:
https://www.simcoe.com/community-story/7419774-how-to-overhaul-child-care-in-ontario-a-road-map-for-revolution/

Wynne’s balanced budget plan relies on rosy projections for tax revenue growth: Watchdog:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/17/wynnes-balanced-budget-plan-relies-on-rosy-projections-for-tax-revenue-growth-watchdog.html

OSAP student funding considers income but not parents’ debt load:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/parent-income-high-osap-finances-university-waterloo-1.4249481

Mental health system “in total crisis”, critic warns:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-mental-health-crisis-1.4253510

New report finds growing number of people in Ontario treated for opioid addiction:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-people-ontario-opioid-addiction.html

Court dismisses lawsuit over sale of Hydro One:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7507918-ontario-court-dismisses-lawsuit-over-sale-of-hydro-one/

Government release: Ontario making major investments in social housing repairs and retrofits:
https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2017/08/ontario-making-major-investments-in-social-housing-repairs-and-retrofits.html

Government release: Ontario and First Nations moving ahead with road to Ring of Fire:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/08/lontario-et-les-premieres-nations-progressent-dans-le-projet-de-construction-dune-route-pour-le-cerc.html

Government release: Ontario and Canada invest an immediate $10M to support First Nations youth health and safety:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2017/08/ontario-and-canada-invest-10m-to-support-first-nations-youth-health-and-safety.html

The Pollcast: Can Kathleen Wynne stage a comeback in 2018?:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/grenier-pollcast-benzie-1.4260777

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

Progressive Economics Forum: Housing Affordability and Inequality: Low-Income Renters in Ontario:
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/08/22/sepulveda-ontario-rental-market/

Stats Can: Pension plans in Canada, as of January 1, 2016:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170721/dq170721d-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can: Employment Insurance June 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170824/dq170824a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

  • EI beneficiaries drop to 517,200 in June: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/employment-insurance-june-1.4260193

Government of Canada survey on the Criminal Justice System – remember to say NO to the mandatory victim surcharge:
https://surveys.ekos.com/ekos/cwx.cgi?_proj=07417SW&_lang=EN

 

Around the Province

Sault Ste. Marie Social Services looking to merge three offices:
https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/social-services-looking-to-merge-three-offices-698248

Ontario issues rare order to Ottawa to improve failing long-term care homes:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ontario-issues-rare-order-to-ottawa-to-improve-failing-long-term-care-homes

Food shopping at dollar stores in Brant County:
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2017/08/22/food-shopping-at-dollar-stores

Barrie family keeps kids home after struggle to pay daycare bills:
https://www.simcoe.com/community-story/7417948-barrie-family-keeps-kids-home-after-struggle-to-pay-daycare-bills/

Low income renters suffering housing crisis in Hastings Prince Edward:
http://www.bancroftthisweek.com/?p=8250

HomeShare programs in Halton and Northumberland a solution for senior housing:
https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/08/22/home-sharing-is-a-solution-for-senior-housing.html

Eaton Centre Uniqlo workers seeking to unionize:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/08/19/eaton-centre-uniqlo-workers-seeking-to-unionize.html

Norwich children support doll-making effort to send a message to politicians about child poverty in Canada:
http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/2017/08/17/norwich-children-support-doll-making-effort-to-send-a-message-to-politicians-about-child-poverty-in-canada

Affordable “cabin community” pitched for Brant:
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2017/08/22/affordable-cabin-community-pitched-for-brant

Founder of Toronto’s Homeless Memorial remembered as great advocate:
http://torontoobserver.ca/2017/08/16/founder-of-torontos-homeless-memorial-remembered-as-great-advocate/

Toronto unveils interim safe injection site, 3 permanent sites being built:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/08/21/interim-safe-injection-site-expected-to-open-in-toronto.html

  • Group behind Toronto’s pop-up safe injection site wants councillor to retract comments: http://www.cp24.com/news/group-behind-moss-park-safe-injection-site-asks-mammoliti-to-retract-comments-1.3558671

Toronto anti-poverty activists gather at Allan Gardens, demand housing action:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7510705-anti-poverty-activists-gather-at-allan-gardens-demand-housing-action/

Many Northwestern Ontarians aren’t allowed to go to their nearest doctor, and it’s costing lives:
http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/the-next-ontario/many-northwestern-ontarians-arent-allowed-to-go-to-their-nearest-doctor–and-its-costing-lives

 

Across the Country

BC’s minimum wage increasing 50 cents as government moves toward $15 per hour pledge:
http://www.merrittherald.com/minimum-wage-increasing-50-cents-ndp-government-moves-towards-15-per-hour-pledge/

  • The minimum wage debate in BC: http://www.houston-today.com/opinion/minimum-wage-debate/
  • Business community in BC’s Powell River responds to wage increase: http://www.prpeak.com/business/powell-river-business-community-responds-to-wage-increase-1.22093807
  • Local BC businesses and workers split over minimum wage hike: http://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/minimum-wage-divide-1.22115281

New BC government ministers tour Vancouver’s tent city and Downtown Eastside:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3676057/new-ndp-ministers-tour-vancouvers-tent-city-downtown-eastside/

New BC government says previous government’s large surplus demonstrates an “unbalanced” approach:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/ndp-b-c-s-surplus-proof-of-unbalanced-approach-1.22091464

Disabled senior in Duncan, BC spends nights on his scooter:
https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/disabled-duncan-senior-spends-nights-on-his-scooter/

Homeless Okanagan family not out of the woods:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3692218/homeless-okanagan-family-not-out-of-the-woods/

Syrian refugees in Edmonton struggle with basic needs, report shows:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/syrian-refugees-edmonton-1.4256590

Edmonton mulls sanctuary city policy:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/08/21/the-most-vulnerable-people-in-our-city-edmonton-mulls-sanctuary-city-policy.html

New affordable housing project underway in Regina:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3680705/new-affordable-housing-project-underway-in-regina/

Indigenous families in Manitoba Housing being evicted, and want the federal government to intervene:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/waterhen-manitoba-housing-eviction-1.4245916

Nunavut social housing rents should not be based on gross income:
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavut_social_housing_rents_should_not_be_based_on_gross_income/

Quebec will hand out welfare cheques to about 4,000 asylum seekers, official says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/24/quebec-will-hand-out-welfare-cheques-to-asylum-seekers-report-says.html

$15 minimum wage would fill cupboards, boost Nova Scotia’s economy:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1496095-opinion-15-minimum-wage-would-fill-cupboards-boost-n.s.-economy

Newfoundland and Labrador to spend $5.5 million to help fish plant workers qualify for EI:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/provincial-funding-plant-workers-1.4255452

 

National

Feds trying to stem tide of refugees flowing into Canada:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3689538/feds-trying-to-stem-tide-of-refugees-flowing-into-canada/

NDP pushing to reunite live-in caregivers with their families sooner:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/7515495-ndp-pushing-to-reunite-live-in-caregivers-with-their-families-sooner/

Does Canada deserve its world-class reputation on human rights?:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/vince-wong/does-canada-deserve-its-world-class-reputation-on-human-rights_a_23074687/

If NAFTA talks turn ugly, economic cooling could turn into a deep freeze:
http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/if-nafta-talks-turn-ugly-economic-cooling-could-turn-into-a-deep-freeze/wcm/696b04f5-cbf8-44e8-8499-57f6a17c6f48

  • Walkom: Canada should not be satisfied with just tweaking NAFTA: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/24/canada-should-not-be-satisfied-with-just-tweaking-nafta-walkom.html

Average mortgage balance in Canada rises 5%:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/22/transunion-average-mortgage-balance-in-canada-rises-5

High-profile Conservatives organizing to shift party to centre: Activists:
http://www.hilltimes.com/2017/08/16/progressive-wing-conservative-party-making-play-influence/116202?mc_cid=8330ff460c&mc_eid=e23a377433

 

International

WalMart introducing improved technology to eliminate checkout lanes, registers – and cashiers:
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/08/07/walmart-is-taking-a-direct-shot-at-amazon-and-making-checkout-la/23069214/?ncid=txtlnkusaolc00001081

  • More coverage from Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/08/12/walmart-try-try-again/GYdH9nGK5AQ0eEpSqSJxrO/story.html

Most Americans – nearly 80% – live paycheque to paycheque:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/most-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck.html

  • Jared Kushner’s firm seeks arrest of Maryland tenants to collect debt: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/investigations/bs-md-kushner-arrests-20170812-story.html
  • Bad jobs and no welfare give rise to a new type of US charity: The diaper bank: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/diaper-banks-child-poverty_us_5983538ae4b00f0084ae8687

McDonalds faces first ever British strike as workers at two restaurants call for industrial action:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/mcdonalds-strike-workers-rights-ballot-industrial-action-vote-walkout-a7901421.html

  • McDonald’s workers to coordinate strike with allies around the world: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/21/mcdonalds-workers-to-coordinate-strike-with-allies-around-world
  • The stress of low-paid work is making Britain sick:
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/24/britain-work-makes-you-ill-jobs?CMP=fb_gu
  • Labour says plan for a £10 minimum wage would raise more than five million workers’ incomes:
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-minimum-wage-income-raise-millions-workers-jeremy-corbyn-rebecca-long-bailey-a7909306.html

Report shows big increases in welfare payments needed to meet a basic standard of living in the UK:
http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/welfare-worries/8836220

  • UK countryside faces fuel poverty crisis:
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/19/rural-areas-suffer-worst-fuel-poverty-insulation-energy-prices
  • Why it’s time to eradicate period poverty in the UK:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amika-george/period-poverty_b_17772742.html

Australian Medical Association boss Michael Gannon says welfare drug testing trial “simply won’t work”:
http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/australian-medical-assocition-boss-michael-gannon-says-welfare-drug-testing-trial-simply-wont-work/news-story/cb3c831cfbbb75009eb0b39fae9ebc66

  • Coalition warned drug dealing will rise if testing of welfare recipients goes ahead: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/24/coalition-warned-drug-dealing-will-rise-if-testing-of-welfare-recipients-goes-ahead

Abbott eyes national cashless welfare plan:
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/21/abbott-eyes-national-cashless-welfare-plan

  • Aboriginal leader withdraws support for cashless welfare card and says he feels used: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/23/aboriginal-leader-withdraws-support-for-cashless-welfare-card-and-says-he-feels-used
  • Expansion of cashless welfare card shows shock tactics speak louder than evidence:
    http://theconversation.com/expansion-of-cashless-welfare-card-shows-shock-tactics-speak-louder-than-evidence-82585
  • Australian cashless welfare card researcher rejects “completely inaccurate” attack:
    http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/forrest-ramps-up-defence-of-cashless-welfare-cards-despite-kimberley-crime-rise-20170818-gxzbq3.html
  • Cashless welfare card a “public whip” to control Indigenous people: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/22/pat-dodson-says-cashless-welfare-card-a-public-whip-to-control-indigenous-people

The myth of the benefits cheat is a sign of unkind times in New Zealand:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/21/myth-benefits-cheat-sign-unkind-times-new-zealand-politician-metiria-turei

  • Actuarial modelling is not evidence of effective social welfare, says New Zealand academic: http://www.themandarin.com.au/82635-actuarial-modelling-is-not-evidence-of-effective-social-welfare-nz-academic-warns/

Welfare to work schemes unlikely to improve lone parents’ health, says study:
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/welfare-to-work-schemes-unlikely-to-improve-lone-parents-health-says-study/

No alternative to austerity? The lie has now been nailed:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/24/austerity-lie-deep-cuts-economy-portugal-socialist?CMP=fb_gu

 

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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.