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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

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

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Media & Policy News: 25 September 2017

September 25, 2017

Top Stories

Ontario legal clinics launch challenges over ODSP Board and Lodge benefit rate:
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/author/gabrielle-giroday/challenges-launched-over-disability-benefit-rate-13652/

  • Should I report family social assistance fraud? Ethically Speaking: https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/09/24/should-i-report-a-family-fraud-ethically-speaking.html

Groups allege problems and potential legal implications with EI appeals process:
https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/business/articles/4707/groups-allege-problems-and-potential-legal-implications-with-ei-appeals-process-

  • See the Open Letter here: http://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/over-30-organizations-from-across-canada-call-for-a-fair-ei-appeal-process/

Advocates say BC disability exemption a move forward:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/advocates-say-disability-exemption-a-move-forward-1.22921837

  • BC increases annual earnings exemption for people with disabilities on social assistance:
    http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/services-for-people-with-disabilities/disability-assistance/on-disability-assistance/annual-earnings-exemption

Food bank visits in Toronto back to recession-era levels: Report:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/food-bank-visits-in-toronto-back-to-recession-levels-report

  • Here’s the report: http://www.dailybread.ca/learning-centre/whos-hungry/whos-hungry-2017/
  • Rise in food-bank use points to need for housing benefit: Editorial:
    https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/09/19/rise-in-food-bank-use-points-to-need-for-housing-benefit-editorial.html
  • Toronto food bank use spikes, with notable increase among seniors:
    https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto-food-bank-use-spikes-with-notable-increse-among-seniors/article36287133/
  • Food bank use on the rise in Canada, with “drastic” surges in Nova Scotia, territories:
    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/food-bank-report-2016-1.3850897
  • As food bank usage rises, advocates urge the Ontario government to alleviate poverty by strengthening Bill 148: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/media-release-as-food-bank-usage-rises-advocates-urge-ontario-government-alleviate-poverty-2234438.htm

Report says more than 1000 planned purpose-built rental units converted to condos in GTA after rent control:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/report-finds-1000-planned-rental-units-convert-to-condos-in-wake-of-ontario-rent-control-expansion/article36382681/

  • Here’s a link to that report: https://www.frpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Urbanation-Rental-Supply-Report-for-FRPO.pdf

Homeless shelter demand rising in Ontario as facilities close:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/ottawa/homeless-shelter-ontario-closures-1.4299243

  • Federal government ready to make housing a right as part of national strategy, but no legislated specifics are tied to the promise: http://www.macleans.ca/politics/liberals-ready-to-make-housing-a-right-as-part-of-national-strategy/

Dissenting doctors write open letter in support of federal tax reforms:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/09/17/dissenting-doctors-write-open-letter-in-support-of-federal-tax-reforms.html

  • Here’s the open letter: https://docsandtaxes.wordpress.com/
  • Doctors say tax us: Canada is worth it: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/09/21/doctors-say-tax-us-canada-is-worth-it.html
  • After wave of criticism over planned tax changes, some doctors are urging Ottawa to forge ahead: http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/doctors-angry-at-opposition-to-planned-tax-changes-urge-ottawa-to-forge-ahead
  • Canadians fed up with anti-tax rhetoric, says reform advocate: https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/09/20/Anti-Tax-Rhetoric-Fed-Up/
  • Here’s the Canadian Coalition for Tax Fairness: https://coalitionfortaxfairness.ca/
  • Morneau chides NDP for opposing end to “unfair tax advantages” for wealthy: http://globalnews.ca/news/3751735/bill-morneau-ndp-tax-advantages/
  • Lawyers unhappy with CBA over tax stance: http://www.lawtimesnews.com/author/dale-smith/lawyers-unhappy-with-cba-over-tax-stance-13683/
  • How tax inequity hurts women: http://ipolitics.ca/2017/09/20/how-tax-inequity-hurts-women/
  • Needed: Progressive taxation: http://peoplesvoice.ca/2017/09/17/needed-progressive-taxation/
  • Joe Oliver: Libs proposed tax hikes are bad politics and policy: http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/joe-oliver-the-liberals-proposed-tax-hikes-are-bad-politics-and-policy
  • Canada’s tax system needs a proper overhaul: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/is-it-time-to-consider-broader-tax-system-reforms/article36280856/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
  • Trudeau pledges to push through tax fairness agenda and defends own family’s use of tax rules: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-fall-presser-tax-fairness-1.4296641
  • Walkom: The political necessity of Morneau’s tax reform plan: http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1503968-walkom-the-political-necessity-of-morneau%E2%80%99s-tax-reform-plan
  • ca petition: “I support the wealthy paying their fair share”: https://act.leadnow.ca/fair-share/

Handing out money for free in Ontario’s basic income pilot project harder than it looks:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/09/17/handing-out-money-for-free-harder-than-it-looks.html

  • Ontario expands outreach for basic income clients: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/ontario-expands-outreach-for-basic-income-clients-721073
  • Basic Income Pilot raises serious concerns: http://www.netnewsledger.com/2017/09/22/basic-income-pilot-project-raises-serious-concerns/
  • Applications underway for pilot in Hamilton: https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/7570770-applications-underway-for-basic-income-program-pilot-in-hamilton/
  • OCAP: The neoliberal danger of Basic Income:
    https://ocaptoronto.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/the-neoliberal-danger-of-basic-income/
  • North American Basic Income Congress coming to Hamilton in 2018: http://basicincome.org/news/2017/09/dates-announced-2018-north-american-basic-income-guarantee-congress/

$15 and Fairness leader: Fight not over for higher minimum wage in Ontario:
https://torontoobserver.ca/2017/09/25/activist-urges-pro-worker-group-continue-fight/

  • Some comments on the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario’s minimum wage commentary:
    http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/09/13/some-comments-on-the-financial-accountability-office-of-ontarios-minimum-wage-commentary/
  • Not hiking minimum wages will marginalize workers and endanger Canada’s democracy: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2017/09/22/warren-not-hiking-minimum-wages-will-marginalize-workers-and-endanger-canadas-democracy
  • Chamber of Commerce says $15 minimum wage will hurt women: https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7558772–15-minimum-wage-will-hurt-women-ontario-chamber-tells-businesses/
  • CFIB says Liberals “need to do homework” on minimum wage: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/18/liberals-need-to-do-homework-on-minimum-wage
  • Fraser Institute study says minimum wage hike will mean spike in unemployment: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/19/minimum-wage-hike-will-mean-spike-in-unemployment-study
  • Conservative think-tank says North could get hit hard with minimum wage hike: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/news/north-could-get-hit-hard-wage-hike-will-see-job/article_fe8378a4-9ee2-11e7-93c9-0f2a209919ff.html
  • Some Ontario farms could get minimum wage support, Wynne says: https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/daily/some-ontario-farms-could-get-minimum-wage-support-wynne-says
  • Wynne says supports will ease transition but won’t back away from $15 minimum wage: http://www.1310news.com/2017/09/19/ontario-promises-to-help-small-business-farmers-cope-with-15-minimum-wage/
  • No correlation between higher minimum wage and unemployment: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/no-correlation-between-higher-minimum-wage-and-unemployement/article_7fbc4d4a-9a58-11e7-8c08-77412b8ec854.html

New rights for the precariously employed:
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/author/sheldon-gordon/new-rights-for-the-precariously-employed-13670/

  • Status update on Bill 148: globalworkplaceinsider.com/2017/09/status-update-on-bill-148-the-overhaul-of-ontarios-labour-and-employment-laws-continues/
  • Bill 148 likely to change the landscape for temporary workers: https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/4645

Niagara Grape and Wine festivities coincide with Migrant Justice Event:
http://www.brockpress.com/2017/09/grape-and-wine-festivities-coincide-with-migrant-justice-event/

  • BC Supreme Court certifies foreign-workers lawsuit:
    https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-supreme-court-certifies-foreign-workers-lawsuit/article36319696/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
  • Caregivers hold rally seeking family reunification now:
    http://rabble.ca/news/2017/09/caregivers-hold-rally-seeking-family-reunification-now

Cities want Amazon’s HQ2 jobs, but what about its culture?:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/amazon-headquarters-work-culture-1.4285453

Many low-income Canadians who don’t file taxes lose out on benefits:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/09/18/many-low-income-canadians-don-t-file-taxes-lose-out-on-benefits.html

  • Parents miss out on child benefits for lack of registration: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/parents-miss-child-benifits-1.4296309

WSIB to review more than 250 rejected General Electric plan claims in Peterborough:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/09/18/wsib-to-review-more-than-250-general-electric-plant-claims-in-peterborough.html

The National: A Living Wage: What if employers were to pay based on a workers’ need?:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2192805924

UN council to discuss report on anti-black racism in Canada:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/un-council-to-discuss-report-on-anti-black-racism-in-canada/article36376663/

Open Letter to Justin Trudeau: Give First Nations children an equal chance:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/justin-trudeau-open-letter-to-pm-give-first-nations-children-an-equal-chance/article36372720/

 

Ontario

Ontario to cover HIV prevention pill under public health plan:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/hiv-prep-coverage-1.4302184

Many nursing home residents dying from day-to-day neglect and abuse:
http://www.lfpress.com/2017/09/22/many-nursing-home-residents-dying-from-day-to-day-neglect-and-abuse-expert-say

Ontario’s free post-secondary initiative deserves to be emulated:
http://troymedia.com/2017/09/21/ontarios-free-post-secondary-initiative-deserves-to-be-emulated/

  • Student aid overhaul: The new OSAP:
    https://www.thestar.com/life/insidersguide/2017/09/14/student-aid-overhaul–the-new-osap.html

Government bulletin: Ontario supporting skills training for social workers and social service workers:
https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2017/09/ontario-supporting-skills-training-for-social-workers-and-social-service-workers.html

Government release: Ontario expanding before- and after-school care for families:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2017/09/ontario-expanding-before–and-after-school-care-for-families.html

Government release: Ontario helping people understand workplace rights and responsibilities:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2017/09/ontario-helping-people-understand-workplace-rights-and-responsibilities.html

Government bulletin: Ontario releasing food security consultation: https://news.ontario.ca/prs/en/2017/09/ontario-releasing-food-security-consultation-feedback.html

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

ISAC Rates Sheet: OW and ODSP Rates and the OCB 2017:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?e=78146ddbd7&u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf90&id=e20216d4a0

Wellesley Institute: Thriving in the City: A Framework for Income and Health:
http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/publications/thriving-in-the-city-a-framework-for-income-and-health/

Public asked for input on customer service rules for Ontario energy utilities:
https://www.oeb.ca/newsroom/2017/public-asked-input-customer-service-rules-ontario-energy-utilities

Canadian Coalition for Tax Fairness:
https://coalitionfortaxfairness.ca/about-canadian-coalition-tax-fairness

Stats Can: Consumer Price Index, August 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170922/dq170922a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can Study: Labour market outcomes before and after acquisition of permanent residence by temporary foreign workers:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170921/dq170921g-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

Stats Can: Employment Insurance, July 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170921/dq170921a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan

  • EI recipients jump in July: http://www.baystreet.ca/economiccommentary/1952/EI-Recipients-Jump-in-July

Government releases new EI premium rates, max insurable earnings for 2018:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/government-publishes-new-ei-premium-rates-maximum-insurable-earnings-for-2018-103776

Tamarack Institute: Shared Measurement: The why is clear, the how continues to develop:
http://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/shared-measurement-paper

Bridging the Gap: Designing a Canadian “what works” centre:
https://mowatcentre.ca/bridging-the-gap/

 

Around the Province

Number of people who are homeless in Windsor reaches “crisis” levels, says aid agency:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/windsor/windsor-s-homeless-population-reaches-crisis-levels-says-aid-agency-1.4295720

Hamilton politicians approve “ground-breaking” poverty reduction spending:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7569466-hamilton-politicians-approve-ground-breaking-poverty-reduction-spending/

  • City will spend $1 million a year on Indigenous poverty and homelessness: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/indigenous-poverty-1.4298419

Low income, high rent: Two London families struggle to make ends meet:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/london/london-ontario-living-on-low-income-two-stories-1.4287379

Why is need so great if London’s booming? We asked those on front lines of poverty fight:
http://www.lfpress.com/2017/09/15/why-is-need-so-great-if-londons-booming-we-asked-those-on-front-lines-of-poverty-fight

Lakehead Social Planning Council and Prosper Canada providing financial counselling in Thunder Bay:
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2017/09/21/poverty-reduction-goal-thunder-bay-counselling-partnership/

Kitchener-Waterloo Region calling on participants for affordable transit pass study:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/grand-river-transit-affordable-pass-study-1.4294014

Oakville symposium focuses on poverty elimination:
https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/7563214-oakville-symposium-focuses-on-poverty-elimination/

Adopt-a-Child program underway in Belleville:
https://www.insidebelleville.com/news-story/7567458-registration-is-underway-for-adopt-a-child-donations-needed/

A shocking amount of people are going hungry in Mississauga:
https://www.insauga.com/a-shocking-amount-of-people-are-going-hungry-in-mississauga

Creating more affordable housing must be a priority: Toronto Mayor John Tory and Councillor Ana Bailao:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/09/15/creating-more-affordable-housing-must-be-a-priority-tory-bailao.html

What comes next when Toronto’s Seaton House closes?:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/09/25/what-comes-next-when-seaton-house-closes.html

There’s still work to be done, say former Toronto Ten City residents:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/09/22/theres-still-work-to-be-done-say-former-tent-city-residents.html

Toronto councillors to landlords: Keep the air conditioning on:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/09/20/councillors-to-landlords-keep-the-air-conditioning-on.html

New Toronto Community Housing CEO:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/09/21/toronto-community-housing-ceo-kathy-milsom-says-shes-ready-for-the-challenges-ahead.html

 

Across the Country

New Nova Scotia child-care study redundant and too late, say critics:
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4287915

Cape Breton food bank holding food drive:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/news/local/2017/9/21/new-waterford-food-bank-holding-food-drive-sept–30.html

Quebec workers can expect a 2.6% pay hike: Employers group:
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/quebec-workers-can-expect-a-2-6-pay-hike-employers-group

Are Quebec pensioners the poorest in the country?:
https://sherbrooktimes.com/quebec-lagging-behind/522

Fast-food restaurants closing as Quebec unemployment rate nears all-time low:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-labour-fast-food-1.4298476

Single mom homeless after subsidy shrinks, Manitoba Housing rent increases:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/single-mom-homeless-manitoba-housing-1.4295139

“Minimum wage is a poverty wage”: Rally calls for hike to $15 in Manitoba:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-minimum-wage-rally-1.4297636

EI beneficiaries drop in Saskatchewan for July:
https://globalnews.ca/news/3761428/employment-insurance-beneficiaries-saskatchewan-saskatoon-regina/

Notley’s Alberta out-lefts the Left Coast on minimum wage:
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/09/15/on-minimum-wage-notley-ndp-out-lefts-the-left-coast

Campaign pushing BC to a $15 minimum wage focuses on the question of a timeline:
https://www.straight.com/news/969526/campaign-pushing-bc-15-minimum-wage-focuses-question-timeline

High wage aspirations in BC demand better productivity fundamentals:
https://www.biv.com/article/2017/9/high-wage-aspirations-demand-better-productivity-f/

BC minimum wage goes up 50 cents an hour:
https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/206707/Lowest-earners-get-a-raise

Op-Ed: Strengthened safety nets will reduce poverty in BC:
http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-strengthened-safety-nets-will-reduce-poverty-1.22944675

Vancouver byelection candidate wants $174 million “mansion tax” to fund housing for people in poverty:
http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/mansion-tax-proposal

Large-scale farm created amid poverty, pavement in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/large-scale-farm-created-amid-poverty-pavement-in-vancouvers-downtown-eastside

Big changes coming as Victoria, BC cracks down on short-term rentals:
https://www.cheknews.ca/big-changes-coming-victoria-moves-forward-short-term-rental-crackdown-369370/

Yukon College gets $4.6 million to help Indigenous students:
http://www.yukon-news.com/news/yukon-college-gets-4-6-m-to-help-indigenous-students/

 

National

Greyhound service cuts leave rural residents out in the cold:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/greyhound-service-cuts-leave-rural-residents-out-in-the-cold/article36254949/?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com

The law says refugee claims must be heard in 60 days. So why are people waiting 16 months?
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/09/20/the-law-says-refugee-claims-must-be-heard-in-60-days-so-why-are-asylum-seekers-waiting-16-months.html

NAFTA Round Three: As talks restart in Ottawa, Canadians prioritize labour standards, Chapter 19:
http://mailchi.mp/angusreid/nafta-round-three-as-talks-restart-in-ottawa-canadians-prioritize-labour-standards-chapter-19?e=9e305f90ee

Canada posts $17.98 billion federal deficit in 2016-2017:
http://www.bnn.ca/canada-posts-17-8-billion-federal-deficit-in-2016-17-1.860399

Why Canadian shouldn’t worry about inflation – yet:
http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/why-canadians-shouldnt-worry-about-inflation-yet/

 

International

Despite rosy data, millions of Americans languish in poverty:
http://thehill.com/opinion/finance/351259-despite-rosy-data-millions-of-americans-languish-in-poverty

US Libertarian mayoral candidate eyeing zero-dollar minimum wage:
http://www.twincities.com/2017/09/24/libertarian-mayoral-candidate-eyeing-zero-dollar-minimum-wage/

Target will raise its minimum wage to $11 per hour, promising $15 by 2020:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/25/target-to-raise-its-hourly-minimum-wage.html

If the US minimum wage increased, how would long-term care providers and staff be affected?:
https://www.rti.org/news/if-minimum-wage-increased-10-12-or-15-how-would-long-term-care-providers-and-staff-be-affected

Majority of social landlords say UK welfare policy harms efforts to tackle homelessness:
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/majority-of-social-landlords-say-welfare-policy-harms-homelessness-work-52476

Women in the UK more likely to be paid less than minimum wage:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-41305033

Poorest London children face health risks from toxic air, poverty and obesity:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/19/poorest-london-children-face-health-risks-toxic-air-poverty-obesity

Cashless welfare cards rolled out in Australia:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/cashless-welfare-cards-rolled-out-in-bundaberg-and-hervey-bay/news-story/073750a8d266482e9f651517405cf9f7

Cashless welfare card report does not support ministers’ claims, researcher says:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/18/cashless-welfare-card-report-does-not-support-ministers-claims-researcher-says

Proposed Australia welfare bill will push people further into poverty. We have to stand together against it:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/18/the-proposed-welfare-bill-will-push-people-further-into-poverty-we-have-to-stand-together-against-it

Poverty, illness, and living on less than the minimum wage in New Zealand:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/96992301/poverty-illness-and-living-on-less-than-the-minimum-wage

Welfare card for low income people in Thailand delayed:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1327807/welfare-card-for-poor-distribution-delayed

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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.