• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

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

  • Our Work
    • Litigation
    • Policy
    • Community Organizing
    • Public Education
  • Campaigns
  • Publications
  • About Us
    • Mission, Vision & Mandate
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Board Members
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Updates
  • Resources
  • Twitter
  • en English
    zh-CN 简体中文en Englishfr Françaisit Italianopt Portuguêses Español

Media & Policy News: 28 August 2015

August 28, 2015

Top Stories

Nunavut considering ending the clawback of the National Child Benefit Supplement from social assistance benefits:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nunavut-looks-at-exempting-low-income-family-tax-credit-1.3190451

  • PEI increases social assistance food benefit by up to 17%: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/p-e-i-social-assistance-food-allowance-increased-1.3191693
  • “Being on ODSP sometimes feels like I’m trapped in a bubble I can’t get out of”: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/street-haven/poverty-never-ending-cycle_b_8040714.html 

Who actually are the “middle class” that politicians are always talking about?
http://milescorak.com/2015/08/28/who-are-the-middle-class/#more-6192

New poll finds Canadians are worried about economic recession and their own financial security:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/canadians-worried-about-recession-new-poll-finds

New Thunder Bay ID bank at local legal clinic keeps important papers safe for vulnerable people:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/new-id-bank-in-thunder-bay-ont-keeps-id-papers-safe-for-vulnerable-people-1.3191774

  • Street Health in Toronto has a similar program: http://www.streethealth.ca/programs-and-services/id-safe#.Vd9DkZeTTk2 

Doctors as advocates for low-income patients: One medical student’s experience:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/08/16/what-i-learned-as-a-medical-student-working-with-low-income-families.html

Housing First could help Canada could end homelessness, and it would only cost $46 / year:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/13/housing-first-federal-election_n_7949510.html

Op-Ed: Basic income is just what the doctor ordered:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/08/26/basic-income-just-what-the-doctor-ordered.html

Why the North resents Toronto: PFIB’s tour of poverty in the North:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/08/23/why-the-north-resents-toronto-goar.html

Reports, Events, and Other Good Stuff

Federal Election Right to Housing Forum, September 30 in Toronto:
https://righttohousing.wordpress.com/2015/08/13/save-the-date-right-to-housing-forum/

Upcoming Statistics Canada workshops in Toronto and Ottawa:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/cgi-bin/workshop/wst.cgi?region=ontario

Migrant Worker Services Fair in Cobourg September 1:
http://northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=36434

September 17 event in Toronto: Resisting Racism, Past, Present and Future:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/september-17-resisting-racism-past-present-and-future

Upcoming training for front-line workers who serve migrant workers in Ontario:
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9de587703062110954e080261&id=92d1d51a7c&e=473784de67

Workers Compensation webinar for migrant workers, their allies, community organizations and community legal clinics, September 21:
https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=yh5u6cq1lk83

John Howard Society report says Ontario’s jails are warehousing people with mental illness:
http://www.nugget.ca/2015/08/18/mentally-ill-warehoused-in-jail

  • Here’s the report: http://www.johnhoward.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Unlocking-Change-Final-August-2015.pdf
  • More coverage from the Sault: http://www.saultstar.com/2015/08/21/prison-no-place-for-mentally-ill
  • Star editorial: Stop criminalizing mental illness: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2015/08/17/stop-criminalizing-mental-illness-editorial.html 

Linking the purchasing power of Ontario’s public institutions with their communities is key to reducing poverty, says new report:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/08/24/linking-public-institutions-to-communities-key-to-tackling-poverty-report-says.html

  • Here’s the report: http://mowatcentre.ca/anchor-institutions/
  • Star editorial: Anchor Strategy is a smart idea: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2015/08/24/anchor-strategy-is-a-smart-way-to-fight-poverty-editorial.html 

Mowat report says Community Benefits Agreements can help local communities share the benefits of infrastructure investments:

  • Here’s the report: http://mowatcentre.ca/community-benefits-agreements/
  • Some coverage of Toronto’s Eglinton-Crosstown CBA from April: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/the-plan-train-and-hire-torontos-neediest-for-six-figure-jobs-the-catch-how-to-find-them/article24008225/ 

Canada Without Poverty publication: Human Rights and Poverty Strategies, A Guide to International Human Rights Law and its Domestic Application in Poverty Reduction Strategies:
http://www.cwp-csp.ca/action/human-rights-guide/

Ontario

Ontario government urged to bring First Nations into discussions about Hydro privatization, or risk legal action:
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds/2849/ontario-urged-to-bring-first-nations-into-hydro-one-negotiation.html

  • Chiefs of Ontario leader Isadore Day says First Nations were almost complete excluded from consultations:http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2015/08/18/ontario-did-not-consult-first-nations-on-hydro-one-sale.html 

Small business worried about impact of Ontario Retirement Pension Plan:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-money/small-businesses-worried-about-impact-of-ontario-retirement-pension-plan/article25993625/

First Poverty Reduction Fund project gets up to $300,000 for new technology in Perth and Huron Counties:
http://news.ontarionewsroom.com/tbs/en/2015/08/local-poverty-reduction-fund-to-invest-in-new-technology-for-perth-and-huron-organizations.html

Around the Province

Waterloo Chronicle 3-part series on wait lists that people with low incomes must endure:

  • Introductory editorial: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinion/more-than-just-numbers/
  • Waiting for affordable housing: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/the-waiting-game-affordable-housing/
  • Waiting for a reduced fare transit pass: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/the-waiting-game-transit-for-reduced-income-program/
  • Waiting for mental health and addictions services: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/the-waiting-game-mental-health-and-addictions/ 

Creative solutions to homelessness in Waterloo:
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/creative-solutions-developed-to-deal-with-homelessness/

Star editorial: More black kids in Children’s Aid Society care should be a concern to everyone:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2015/08/26/toronto-cas-leads-on-black-kids-in-care-editorial.html

Thunder Bay mayor supports Basic Income Guarantee and Housing First and wants senior governments to show leadership on poverty:
http://leadersandlegacies.com/2015/08/25/reliable-basic-income-would-lead-to-better-self-worth-and-a-better-life-thunder-bay-mayor/

St. Catherines mayor brings together poverty reduction advisory group:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/08/14/focus-key-to-mayors-poverty-advisory-group

  • More coverage: http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/5804867-sendzik-takes-next-step-in-addressing-poverty-in-st-catharines/
  • Local activist says people living in poverty, not agency reps, are the real experts: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/08/26/activist-experts-on-poverty-are-the-poor-themselves 

Column: Fighting poverty in Niagara with housing First:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/08/20/siegel-fighting-poverty-with-housing-first

Toronto’s Parkdale residents still dealing with fallout of evictions from Queen’s Hotel:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/5804218-queen-s-hotel-evicted-tenant-has-no-intention-of-returning/

Painful changes as Metropolitan United Church and other downtown churches change focus:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/08/16/painful-changes-face-those-need-churchs-charity-fiorito.html

New community organization in Clearview Township seeks to help people living in poverty:
http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/5799760-community-organization-focuses-on-poverty-in-clearview-township/

Across the Country

After 36 years, NFLD injured worker “angry and alone” but not the only one inadequately treated by WSIB:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/36-years-spent-in-poverty-and-pain-injured-worker-says-1.3193818

“My Week on Welfare” documentary airs in Nova Scotia this weekend:
http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/video/my-week-welfare-documentary-shows-day-day-realitie/33828

74% more Albertans receiving Employment Insurance than one year ago, due to slump in energy sector:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Seventy+four+cent+more+Albertans+receiving+Employment+Insurance+compared+year/11305270/story.html

  • EI claims also up in Saskatchewan: http://www.620ckrm.com/ckrm-on-air/ckrm-local-news/11887-more-people-collecting-employment-insurance-in-saskatchewan 

Saskatchewan advisory group sets 50-in-5 target to reduce poverty by 50% by 2020:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/advisory-group-wants-poverty-reduced-in-saskatchewan-by-50-per-cent-in-5-years-1.3202132

  • Saskatchewan government’s press release on advisory group’s recommendations: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2015/august/24/poverty-reduction-strategy 

BC First Nations say lack of government consultation on Site C dam will cause irreparable harm:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/b-c-first-nations-lawyer-says-crown-didn-t-consult-on-specific-site-c-permits-1.3196500?cmp=rss

  • BC government selling lands and social housing stock to non-profits: http://www.straight.com/news/510621/bc-government-sells-part-land-stock-nonprofits-social-housing
  • Vancouver’s former remand centre redeveloped into affordable housing: http://www.vancouverobserver.com/news/mission-accomplished-how-city-jail-became-homes-hopeful-views
  • Maple Ridge, BC, to end homeless shelter contract with Salvation Army, but could have unintended effect:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-city-dumping-sally-ann-shelter-in-dispute-over-services/article26093679/ 

What parents are spending across the country on back-to-school supplies:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/25/back-to-school-prices-canada_n_8033152.html

National

“Less overt” discrimination is rampant in Canadian workplaces, says researcher:
http://www.hrmonline.ca/hr-news/less-overt-discrimination-rampant-in-workplaces-195103.aspx

New poll says Canadians want CPP expanded:
http://www.theobserver.ca/2015/08/26/forum-survey-indicates-most-voters-want-pension-contributions-and-benefits-increased

Internal report shows Canada’s retirement income system scores poorly, and policies ignore evidence:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/document-raises-questions-about-harper-retirement-policies-1.3198157

Fraser Institute study says income inequality isn’t a problem in Canada:
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/income-inequality-measurement-sensitivities.pdf

  • But there are problems with their methodology: http://worthwhile.typepad.com/worthwhile_canadian_initi/2015/08/veall-fi.html
  • Coverage: http://ipolitics.ca/2015/07/30/fraser-institute-report-says-no-income-inequality-crisis-in-canada/ 

Are Canada’s newly-created jobs more precarious? It depends:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2169728/reality-check-are-canadas-newly-created-jobs-part-time-precarious-and-low-paid/

First Nations more than twice as likely to die of avoidable causes, says Stats Can report:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/first-nations-adults-more-than-twice-as-likely-to-die-from-avoidable-causes-1.3196496?cmp=abfb

Federal Election

Rural Ontario Institute’s list of questions for federal election candidates and ranks poverty, food security and unemployment as high priority concerns:
http://www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca/ (scroll down the page)

Social policy resources at Social Planning Network of Ontario’s “Canada Votes 2015” website:
http://www.spno.ca/canada-votes-2015

Barrier Free Canada Election Action Kit:
http://barrierfreecanada.org/election-2015/

We need a national food policy so no Canadian goes hungry:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/doreen-nicoll/2015/08/we-need-national-food-policy-so-no-one-canada-goes-hungry

Will the opposition unite to fight tax avoidance that’s costing us billions?
http://rabble.ca/news/2015/07/canada-losing-billions-will-ndp-and-liberals-unite-to-fight-tax-avoidance

The election will be a test of the Fair Elections Act:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2015/08/23/fair-elections-act-will-bring-changes-to-election-day.html

International

What fuels economic growth? Good jobs and wages, not the other way around:
http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/277-75/31850-focus-good-jobs-and-wages-fuel-growth

  • Data shows Seattle’s minimum wage increase has had no impact on employers or number of restaurant jobs:http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/08/25/latest-seattle-jobs-numbers-disprove-foxs-minim/205155 

August 22 1996: US President Clinton signs welfare reform act into law; signalling “ the death knell of any government-supported vision of an equitable, egalitarian America”:
http://www.thenation.com/article/august-22-1996-bill-clinton-ends-welfare-as-we-know-it/

  • If drug testing US welfare recipients is ineffective, why are so many states doing it? http://www.clasp.org/news-room/clips/why-the-conversation-over-drug-testing-welfare-applicants-continues
  • Dallas non-profit reduces poverty by helping people into new careers: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/mercedes-olivera/20150822-skill-quest-curbs-dallas-poverty-by-helping-workers-move-into-new-careers.ece 

Death is now part of Britain’s social benefits system:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/27/death-britains-benefits-system-fit-for-work-safety-net?CMP=soc_3156

  • 4000 people found to have died within six weeks of being declared “fit for work”: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/27/benefits-death-claimants-welfare-ids_n_8047424.html
  • Petition to release the data strikes a chord: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/27/maggie-zolobajluk-dwp-petition_n_8048456.html?1440689922
  • Scotland report says the poor face a “poverty premium” of ten percent more on energy bills: http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/poverty-premium-forces-poor-to-pay-10-more-1-3866306
  • Unemployed youth to go through “work boot camp” or be cut off benefits: http://www.itv.com/news/2015-08-17/unemployed-youngsters-to-be-put-through-work-boot-camp-or-face-losing-benefits/ 

Police in Ireland now sitting in on social assistance benefit eligibility review interviews:
http://www.thejournal.ie/social-weflare-claimants-gardai-2282986-Aug2015/

China has virtually eradicated urban poverty, but must now set its sights on tackling inequality:
http://www.theguardian.com/business/economics-blog/2015/aug/19/china-poverty-inequality-development-goals

Finland considering reforming welfare system by introducing basic income:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33977636

Australia PM says cashless welfare card will “lift people up by their bootstraps”:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-24/pm-backs-welfare-card-trial-in-northern-western-australia/6719104

  • The card is intended to restrict spending on alcohol and gambling: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/healthy-welfare-card-restricts-spending-on-alcohol-gambling-20150818-gj1hvj.html
  • Opposition calls the move a “paternalistic thought bubble by a billionaire”: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/aug/19/labor-party-will-consider-cashless-welfare-debit-cards-legislation 

The global precariat are stressed, insecure, angry, and they’re getting politically engaged:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/precariat-stressed-out-insecure-alienated-and-angry

Media and Policy News

Primary Sidebar

Blog sidebar

Subscribe

"*" indicates required fields

Name

Income Security Advocacy Centre

Footer widget

1500 – 55 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

  • Contact

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.