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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 29 April 2016

April 29, 2016

Top Stories

Report: Widespread workplace abuse persists for restaurant workers of Chinese descent:
http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2016/04/25/widespread-workplace-abuse-persists-for-chinese-restaurant-workers.html

  • Check here for the report: http://mtcsalc.org/en/what-s-new/
  • To endorse the recommendations of this report via a letter to the Minister of Labour, download the template letter here: http://mtcsalc.org/index.php/download_file/view/330/96/

Ontario workers killed and injured on the job commemorated on National Day of Mourning:
http://www.inews880.com/syn/104/88662/ontario-workers-day-of-mourning

Ontario’s basic income program poses threat to existing social programs:
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/blogs/insight/ontarios-basic-income-plan-poses-a-threat-to-144120414.html

Letter to the Editor: Provinces must not claw back the Canada Child Benefit from social assistance:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2016-04-16/article-4499241/Provinces-must-not-claw-back-Child-Benefit/1

Editorial: Paul Miller’s private member’s bill on a Social Assistance Research Commission would do a lot of public good:
http://www.hamiltonnews.com/opinion-story/6506774-paul-miller-s-private-member-s-bill-would-do-a-lot-of-public-good/

Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders federal government to ensure services for Aboriginal kids:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/tribunal-orders-federal-government-ensure-services-1.3554279

Man walking 1100km across Ontario on poverty and mental health awareness journey:
http://eriemedia.ca/making-extreme-journey-poverty-mental-health/

Saint John, NB wants to be a national demonstration site for a national Poverty Reduction Strategy:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2658489/saint-john-wants-to-be-national-site-for-poverty-reduction/

  • Here’s the official petition: https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-291

More on Ottawa’s preparations for the month that new Syrian refugees lose federal funding:
http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/6509801-councillors-want-staff-to-keep-an-eye-on-refugee-settlement-costs/

  • How to handle potentially overwhelming demand for affordable housing and social assistance: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/syrian-refugees-social-assistance-1.3548392
  • Food emptying fast at city’s food banks: http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/6509893-shelves-emptying-fast-at-city-s-food-banks/

The Long Form Census returns May 10!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/long-form-census-back-1.3542479

  • John Campey and the Data Hounds sing (again), in celebration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN-SRPX9YTc&feature=youtu.be

Progressive taxation: The original crowdfunding:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/04/27/progressive-taxation-the-original-crowdfunding/

 

Ontario

Minister knew of “significant” problems with social assistance computer system before launch:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/27/minister-knew-of-significant-challenges-of-disability-and-welfare-payment-system-before-launch.html

Moody’s upgrades Ontario’s credit rating outlook to “stable”:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/moodys-ontario-credit-rating-stable-1.3554371

Ontario Retirement Pension Plan should compete with private sector, says advocates:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/orpp-should-compete-with-private-sector-advocates-say/article29777110/

Ontario streamlines free dental care for low-income kids:
http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2016/04/26/ontario-streamlines-free-dental-care-for-low-income-kids.html

  • Press release:
    https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2016/04/ontario-expands-free-dental-care-for-eligible-children-and-youth.html

ACORN: Does $500,000 in donations to Ontario political parties buy pro-landlord legislation?
https://www.acorncanada.org/does-500000-donations-ontario-political-parties-buy-pro-landlord-legislation

 

Events, Campaigns, Reports and Other Good Things

June 1: Injured Workers’ Day Rally and March – Stop the cuts to Workers Compensation:
http://iavgo.org/437/

The End of Poverty: A survivor’s journal – by Mike Creek:
http://thephilanthropist.ca/2016/04/the-end-of-poverty-a-survivors-journal/

 

Around the Province

Kingston Coalition Against Poverty rallies to support higher social assistance rates:
http://www.kingstonregion.com/news-story/6512376-kcap-holds-rally-to-raise-awareness-about-social-assistance-rates-in-ontario/

Peterborough councillor says eliminating poverty is possible:
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2016/04/14/eliminating-poverty-is-possible-therrien

Spectator Editorial: Hamilton’s Mayor stands up to poverty:
http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6510549-the-spectator-s-view-hamilton-s-mayor-stands-up-to-poverty/

  • Op-Ed: “Leadership is caring for the most vulnerable”: http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6513482-leadership-is-caring-for-the-most-vulnerable/
  • Opinion: Poverty program will improve Hamilton: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6519985-eisenberger-poverty-program-will-improve-hamilton/

Premier Wynne talks affordable housing in Hamilton:
http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/6514820-ontario-premier-kathleen-wynne-talks-affordable-housing-lrt-in-hamilton/

Toronto program that helps intellectually disabled adults live in dependently gets funding:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/program-that-helps-intellectually-disabled-adults-live-independently-gets-provincial-funding-1.3549983

Toronto’s growing food insecurity crisis – with child poverty map:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/city-hall/toronto’s-growing-food-insecurity-crisis/

The Urban Worker Project gives “a floor” to GTA’s freelance and contract workers:
http://www.yongestreetmedia.ca/civicimpact/urbanworker042716.aspx

Student Poverty Challenge in Belleville breaks down stereotypes:
http://www.insidebelleville.com/news-story/6519527-student-poverty-challenge-breaks-down-stereotypes/

Sudbury health unit supporting the concept of a guaranteed minimum income:
https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/health-unit-lift-more-people-out-of-poverty-with-a-basic-income-guarantee-285837

“Moving Forward on Poverty” event in Cobourg highlights “social enterprise”:
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2016/04/25/thomas-speaks-at-moving-forward-on-poverty-event

 

Across the Country

Report: Two-thirds of First Nations children in Saskatchewan live in poverty:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/27/two-thirds-of-saskatchewans-first-nations-children-live-in-poverty-advocate-says.html

Quebec pledges $45 million for youth unemployment; critics call it workfare:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2661740/quebec-government-pledges-45m-for-youth-unemployment-critics-call-it-workfare/

Two meals a day: People with disabilities live on less as prices in Vancouver rise:
http://thethunderbird.ca/2016/04/20/two-meals-a-day-disabled-live-on-less-as-prices-rise-in-vancouver/

Massive Employment Insurance claims jumps in oil-dependent provinces:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/04/22/canada-ei-claims_n_9753568.html

  • Alberta Premier Notley gets no firm commitment from Trudeau on Employment Insurance pleas: http://www.timescolonist.com/notley-s-pleas-to-federal-cabinet-on-pipelines-and-ei-make-no-immediate-headway-1.2238739
  • Saskatchewan Premier Wall meets with Trudeau on Employment Insurance: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/saskatoon/trudeau-in-saskatoon-meets-with-premier-1.3554938
  • EI rise in Oshawa largest of any area in Ontario: http://oshawaexpress.ca/more-in-oshawa-on-benefits/

Chamber of Commerce says tent city is bad for Victoria businesses:
http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/chamber-of-commerce-says-tent-city-is-bad-for-victoria-businesses-1.2869304

Councillor in Kamloops, BC, wants Council to offer free bus passes to new refugees:
http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/cavers-wants-council-to-give-nod-to-free-bus-passes-to-refugees/

Report: BC’s minimum wage is far too low; workers in Kamloops need a living wage:
http://www.castanet.net/news/Kamloops/164169/Wage-is-too-low-to-live

New Canada Child Benefit lowers living wage throughout BC:
http://blogs.theprovince.com/2016/04/27/guest-column-feds-new-child-benefit-helps-lower-living-wage/

Saint John mayoralty candidates debate city’s poverty situation:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/saint-john-poverty-debate-mayor-election-1.3554456

 

National

CPI rose 1.3% in March; food prices rose 3.6%, led by vegetables and fresh fruit:
http://sonoranweeklyreview.com/canadas-consumer-prices-rise-1-3-in-march-as-food-shelter-indexes-increase-indexdjx-dji/

  • Average Canadian paycheque little changed at $954: http://www.northumberlandview.ca/?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=41549

Wall Street Journal chief economics commentator says Canada can safely take on more debt:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2016/04/22/yes-canada-can-safely-take-on-more-debt-heres-why/

Canadian corporate investment in tax havens is at an all-time high:
http://www.taxfairness.ca/en/news/canadian-tax-havens-all-time-high

  • Meanwhile, tax evasion prosecutions in Canada fall dramatically: http://globalnews.ca/news/2660332/tax-evasion-prosecutions-in-canada-fall-dramatically/
  • Did this company engineer the largest tax dodge in Canadian history? http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/04/25/news/did-company-engineer-largest-tax-dodge-canadian-history
  • Top 5 tax havens of Canadian tax dodgers: http://www.taxfairness.ca/en/news/favourite-tax-havens-canadian-tax-dodgers

Finance Minister Morneau on future tax changes and CPP reform:
http://www.advisor.ca/news/industry-news/bill-morneau-on-future-tax-changes-and-cpp-reform-204679

  • Premier Wynne doubts Trudeau can reach deal on expanding CPP: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-26/wynne-doubts-trudeau-can-reach-deal-on-expanding-canada-pensions

Federal study shows RESP benefit mostly accrues to higher income Canadians:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/resp-education-grants-higher-income-families-1.3555615

Federal government considers “asset recycling” like leasing public infrastructure, and using public pension funds to bankroll mounting infrastructure costs:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/feds-to-consider-public-pension-funds-to-help-bankroll-big-infrastructure

  • Coyne: Funding government projects through public pension plans a terrible idea: http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/andrew-coyne-funding-government-projects-through-public-pension-plans-a-terrible-idea
  • Canada’s second-largest pension fund investing $3 billion in Montreal’s rail network: http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCAKCN0XJ1TN
  • Should Canadian pension funds be investing in Canadian infrastructure? http://www.benefitscanada.com/investments/alternatives/have-your-say-should-canadian-pension-funds-be-investing-in-canadian-infrastructure-80431

Bank of Canada governor says low interest rates may be new normal:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/poloz-trade-economy-1.3553264

Long-term fix needed for Canada’s temporary foreign workers’ woes:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/138868/long-term-fix-needed-for-canadas-temp-foreign-worker-woes

  • Agreement signed to prohibit Canadian employers from specifying migrant workers by gender: http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/canadian-farm-jobs-only-men-need-apply/
  • Migrant Dreams: Migrant agricultural workers dreaming a better future: http://rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/talking-radical-radio/2016/04/migrant-agricultural-workers-dreaming-better-future
  • Canada’s uncomfortable reliance on migrant workers: http://www.macleans.ca/culture/canadas-uncomfortable-reliance-on-migrant-workers/

Trades groups endorse maternal leave proposal:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/04/27/trade-groups-endorse-maternal-leave-proposal

Fraser Institute report says 9/10 Canadians move out of the lowest income bracket within 10 years:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/nine-every-10-canadians-lowest-income-group-move-up-income-ladder-within-10-years-2117061.htm

  • Public policy in Canada “can’t ignore the facts of life”: http://www.torontosun.com/2016/04/21/public-policy-in-canada-cant-ignore-facts-of-life

 

International

The “sharing economy” doesn’t share the wealth:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-06/the-sharing-economy-doesn-t-share-the-wealth

Documentary: Panama Papers: The shady world of offshore companies:
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/panama-papers-shady-world-offshore-companies/

 

  • They don’t just hide their money. Economist says most of billionaire wealth is unearned: http://evonomics.com/they-dont-just-hide-their-money/

Report to France’s Prime Minister on welfare review “paves the way” for basic income:
http://www.basicincome.org/news/2016/04/france-welfare-review-paves-the-way-for-basic-income/

  • What would happen if we just gave people money? http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/universal-basic-income/

After one year, Seattle’s minimum wage hike hasn’t raised retail prices:
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3059118/after-a-year-seattles-new-minimum-wage-hasnt-raised-retail-prices

  • Detroit has highest concentrated poverty rate among top 25 American metropolitan areas: http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/04/26/detroit-has-highest-concentrated-poverty-rate/83395596/
  • Taking a “hard look” at welfare reform in the US: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/04/18/3770333/hillary-clinton-welfare-reform/

Lack of access to abortion leaves women in poverty:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/27/contraception-abortion-access-women-poverty

The welfare stigma that’s leaving the poorest in the UK homeless:
http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2016/04/22/the-welfare-stigma-which-is-leaving-the-poor-homeless

  • The number of destitute people in UK “shocking”: http://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/number-of-destitute-in-uk-shocking-says-anti-poverty-group-11364055578095

New definitions of poverty are redefining financial hardship:
http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/food-poverty-fuel-poverty-funeral-poverty-are-re-defining-financial-hardship-a6982431.html

FIFA sets up worker welfare body in advance of Qatar World Cup:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-qatar-idUSKCN0XJ17H

Poll shows Australians want government to spend on welfare, not cut taxes:
https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/31436175/aussies-want-welfare-spend-over-tax-cuts/

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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.