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Income Security Advocacy Centre

Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 4 December 2015

December 4, 2015

Top Stories

2016 is coming: Make reconciliation with Indigenous peoples your new year’s resolution:
http://rabble.ca/news/2015/11/2016-coming-make-reconciliation-your-resolution

Ontario Association of Food Banks’ Hunger Report

  • Staggering rise in senior citizens accessing food banks: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ontario-hunger-report-reveals-staggering-rise-senior-citizens-accessing-food-banks-2077541.htm
  • Singles and seniors most vulnerable to hunger: http://www.metronews.ca/-news/toronto/2015/11/30/single-seniors-most-vulnerable-to-hunger-ontario-food-banks.html
  • Food banks have allowed governments to look the other way, says food expert: http://-www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/food-banks-say-federal-provincial-government-must-do-more-1.3349646

Editorial: Quebec’s punitive welfare changes are worrying:
http://montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-quebec-welfare-changes-are-worrisome

Report links poverty and shorter life expectancy:
http://m.thespec.com/news-story/6140009-researchers-link-poverty-and-shorter-life-expectancy

Debt loads have many Canadians living on the edge, with high housing prices largely to blame:
http://www.financialpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=business.financialpost.com/-/news/economy/debt-load-has-many-canadians-living-on-the-edge-with-high-housing-prices-largely-to-blame-report

Economists tested 7 welfare programs to see if they made people lazy. They didn’t:
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2015/-11/20/9764324/welfare-cash-transfer-work

Dec 3 was International Day of Persons with a Disability

  • Rick Hansen Foundation report: Canadians see massive gaps in accessibility for people with disabilities: http://www.rickhansen.com/Blog/ArtMID/13094/ArticleID/92/-Canadians-see-massive-gaps-in-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities-
  • Community Living Ontario: Greater accessibility and inclusion needed for people with an intellectual disability: http://eblast.gotenzing.com/t/r-9DCFF45D3519FB1C2540EF23F30FEDED
  • OFL Statement: http://ofl.ca/index.php/ofl-statement-international-day-persons-disabilities-december-3-2015/

Campaign 2000 report shows 1.3 million Canadian children are living in poverty:
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/national-report-states-1-in-5-canadian-children-live-in-poverty-1.2672856

  • Child poverty rates in PEI take a  jump: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/child-poverty-rates-pei-jump-1.3335964
  • Child poverty still rising in Cape Breton: http://www.capebretonpost.com/-News/Local/2015-11-24/article-4354446/Child-poverty-still-rising-in-Cape-Breton/1
  • Child and family poverty in Manitoba “a chronic nightmare”: http://www.cbc.ca/-news/canada/manitoba/child-family-poverty-manitoba-1.3332545
  • One in five kids in BC lives in poverty: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/-five+kids+lives+poverty+report/11540821/story.html?__lsa=4dd4-566d
  • More on BC poverty rates, by region: https://www.kelownanow.com/-watercooler/news/news/Provincial/15/11/25/B_C_s_Child_Poverty_Among_the_Worst_in_Canada/
  • Too many children in Atlantic Canada still struggling: http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/-national-report-states-1-in-5-canadian-children-live-in-poverty-1.2672856

Ontario Auditor General’s report: Little government oversight in the SAMS social assistance payment system: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/consultants-oversaw-consultants-ag-report-finds-little-government-oversight-in-ontarios-struggling-welfare-payment-system

  • Government knew of problems before SAMS was launched: http://globalnews.ca/-news/2375959/ontario-government-knew-of-welfare-payment-problems-before-new-system-launch/
  • Auditor finds Ontario is failing to protect its most vulnerable: http://news.nationalpost.com-/news/canada/from-childrens-aid-societies-to-long-term-care-auditor-finds-ontario-leaves-most-vulnerable-in-the-lurch
  • Ontario doles out majority of corporate welfare to small, favoured group of companies: http://news.nationalpost.com-/news/canada/vast-majority-of-ontarios-corporate-welfare-goes-to-small-favoured-group-of-companies-ag
  • Ontario not tracking economic impact of corporate welfare: http://www.theglobeandmail.com-/report-on-business/economy/ontario-not-tracking-economic-impact-of-corporate-welfare-auditor-general/article27571299/
  • Ontarians paid $37 billion extra for electricity from 2006-14: http://www.thestar.com/news-/queenspark/2015/12/02/ontario-consumers-likely-paying-billions-extra-for-hydro-one-decisions-auditor-general.html
  • Editorial: Ontario’s Liberals have completely broken the electricity system: http://www.theglobeandmail.com-/globe-debate/editorials/ontarios-liberals-have-completely-broken-the-electricity-system/article27571292/

Ontario Association of Food Banks report: Ontario seeing sharp rise in seniors and singles using food banks:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/food-banks-ontario-1.3342191

  • Hamilton Spectator coverage: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6142129-singles-seniors-relying-on-food-banks-report/
  • Many Cornwall area seniors turn to food banks: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/2015/12/01/many-cornwall-area-seniors-turn-to-food-banks
  • Poverty feels like living a cycle of not having enough: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca-/ontario-association-of-food-banks/food-bank-poverty_b_8692230.html

Goar: Fact-based decision making loses out, even on poverty: http://www.thestar.com/-opinion/commentary/2015/11/30/facts-dont-stand-a-chance-against-rolling-bandwagons-goar.html

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns…

New Wellesley report: Coming together on supported housing for mental health and addictions in Ontario:
http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/publications/coming-together-on-supported-housing-for-mental-health-and-addictions-in-ontario/

Ontario making data open by default: Open Data directive to take effect April 1, 2016:
https://news.ontario.ca/tbs/en/2015/11/ontario-making-data-open-by-default.html

Toronto workers launch Good Jobs campaign:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/torontos-workers-launch-campaign-for-good-jobs-2076354.htm

 

Ontario

15 new provincial ridings added; total Ontario Legislature seats now 122, in time for 2018 election:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-liberal-government-adds-15-new-ridings-1.3347291

Cohn: Why Ontario employers can’t dodge pension obligations:
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/-2015/11/30/why-ontario-employers-cant-dodge-pension-obligations-cohn.html

Liberals slammed over high levels of poverty in Northern Ontario:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2015/-11/26/liberals-slammed-over-northern-ontario-poverty

Ontario deficit drops by $1 billion, largely due to Hydro One sell-off:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/ontario-deficit-to-drop-to-7-5-billion-this-fiscal-year-1-billion-lower-than-forecast-in-the-2015-budget

Local Poverty Reduction Fund: Toronto non-profit gets funding for women’s economic and social empowerment:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6139509-provincial-funding-helps-beach-based-non-profit-develop-community-based-solutions-for-at-risk-women/

Ontario invests $4 million on Community Loans Fund pilot to hire people facing barriers to employment:
https://news.ontario.ca/medt/en/2015/12/ontario-improving-employment-opportunities-for-people-facing-barriers.html

 

Around the Province

Homeless Newmarket mom of four searching for affordable housing:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/-metromorning/homeless-shelter-1.3347679

Manitoulin health centre gets new Child Poverty Task Force Coordinator:
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2015/12/02/noojmowin-teg-welcomes-new-child-poverty-task-force-coordinator/

Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit report shows those who rely on social assistance or minimum wage can’t afford healthy food:
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php-?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=38820

Actors with disabilities in Toronto being kept out of auditions because they can’t get in the building:
http://globalnews.ca/video/2376681/actors-with-disabilities-being-kept-out-of-auditions-due-to-accessibility/

County of Dufferin poverty forum highlights challenges: Money isn’t the only issue:
http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/6141809-money-isn-t-the-only-answer-poverty-forum-highlights-challenges-in-dufferin-county/

Poverty game in Collingwood opens some eyes:
http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/2015-/11/27/poverty-game-shows-a-different-life

Micro-loans helping marginalized Sault Ste. Marie residents:
http://www.northernontariobusiness.com/Industry-News/finance/2015/12/Micro-loans-helping-marginalized-Sault-residents.aspx

 

Across the Country

Alberta’s child and youth advocate concerned about suicides of Aboriginal youth in care:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton-/child-advocate-concerned-about-suicides-of-aboriginal-youth-in-care-1.3346271?cmp=abfb

Affordable housing will be main concern for refugees arriving in Calgary:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/12/02/nenshi-refugees_n_8703168.html

Farm worker fights to change Alberta labour laws:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2283375505/

Nova Scotia Minister says “everything is on the table” in their reform of social assistance benefits – even free bus passes:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia-/bus-passes-income-assistance-1.3338786

Changes to child protection laws will proceed in Nova Scotia despite objections:
http://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/nova-scotia-s-child-protection-law-to-proceed-as-is-minister-1.2682939

Campaign to raise the minimum wage kicks off in Cape Breton:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local-/2015-12-01/article-4361934/Campaign-to-raise-minimum-wage-kicks-off-in-Cape-Breton/1

  • Province provides $1.2 million to fight child poverty in Cape Breton: http://thechronicleherald.ca-/novascotia/1325064-province-provides-1.2-million-to-fight-c.b.-child-poverty
  • One in three kids in Cape Breton lives in poverty: http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/-1324787-weekend-focus-one-in-3-cape-breton-children-lives-in-poverty
  • Unacceptable poverty rates also face seniors in Cape Breton: http://www.capebretonpost.com-/Opinion/Columnists/2015-11-25/article-4355385/Unacceptable-poverty-rates-affect-Cape-Breton-seniors/1

PEI government developing new strategy for housing:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2015-11-20/article-4350399/P.E.I.-government-developing-new-strategy-for-housing/1

Government consultation gives residents chance to vent about Nunavut’s social assistance system:
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674-heres_your_chance_to_vent_about_nunavuts_social_assistance_system/

Hoping Trudeau’s plan for affordable housing comes fast enough to help in Maple Ridge, BC:
http://www.mapleridgenews.com/opinion/-355120641.html

Editorial: BC should stop being a laggard on fighting child poverty:
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/editorials/-editorial+should+stop+being+laggard+fighting+child/11549892/story.html?__lsa=4dd4-566d

  • Prince George, BC, school district wants provincial action on child poverty: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com-/news/local-news/school-district-wants-provincial-action-on-child-poverty-1.2121334
  • Tackling poverty in Prince George, BC, for real: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com-/opinion/editorial/tackling-poverty-for-real-1.2121017

They keep recommending a poverty reduction strategy for BC, but action is long overdue:
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/opinion-+action+poverty+long+overdue/11532698/story.html?__lsa=4dd4-566d

Sorting through the food crisis in Parksville, BC:
http://www.pqbnews.com/news/360447781.html

Parksville, BC, MLA publicly offered help to people who are homeless, but all they got was a card and five dollars:
http://www.pqbnews.com/news/360453921.html

BC’s Peace Region has among the lowest child poverty rates in that province:
http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/regional-news/peace-region-among-lowest-child-poverty-rates-in-b-c-1.2123771

In Squamish, BC, child poverty is at 16%:
http://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/child-poverty-a-reality-in-squamish-1.2124407

Court decision on rights of homeless people in Abbotsford could point the way forward on right to housing:
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/11/27/Abbotsford-Decision-Right-to-Housing/

 

National

Canada sheds 35,700 positions, jobless rate rises to 7.1%:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/jobs/canada-sheds-35700-jobs-unemployment-rate-rises-to-71/article27596632/

Trudeau’s nannies are trivial compared to the scandal of corporate tax cuts:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/karl-nerenberg/2015-/12/trudeaus-nannies-are-trivial-compared-to-scandal-corporate-tax#.Vl8qPuNMRZd.facebook

EI coverage survey, 2014: Fewer people eligible for EI benefits in 2014:
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?-module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=38610

Nova Scotia First Nations see hope in fight with federal government on social assistance:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1325290-first-nations-see-new-hope-in-social-assistance-fight

Corporate Canada is pumping money out of the country at a record rate:
http://business.financialpost.com/investing/global-investor/corporate-canada-is-pumping-money-out-of-the-country-at-a-record-rate

Why the federal Liberals should institute a basic income guarantee:
http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/roderick-benns-why-the-liberals-should-institute-a-basic-income-guarentee

Dismantling barriers faced by migrants to Canada:
http://rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/talking-radical-radio/2015/11/dismantling-barriers-faced-migrants-to-canada

Broadbent Poll: Canadians want government to change the voting system:
http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/canadians_want_the_new-_government_to_keep_its_promise_to_change_-voting_system_by_almost_two_to_one_margin

  • Here are the results: http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/-canadian_electoral_reform

Food Banks Canada report shows Prairie provinces lead increases in food bank use:
http://www.manitobacooperator.ca/news-opinion/news/prairies-led-increase-in-food-bank-use/

  • FBC calls for basic income to replace “beyond repair” welfare system: http://www.basicincome.org-/news/2015/11/canada-food-banks-charity-calls-for-basic-income-to-replace-beyond-repair-welfare-system/
  • Report shows food banks help, but the problems run deeper: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/-opinion/359623561.html

 

International

George Osborne scraps tax credit cuts in welfare U-turn:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/25/george-osborne-u-turn-scrap-tax-credit-cuts-autumn-statement

  • Cuts postponed, not axed: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-34930480
  • Jeremy Corbyn scolds Tory MPs for laughing at food poverty: http://www.independent.co.uk-/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-scolds-tory-mps-for-laughing-at-food-poverty-a6745691.html

Oxfam study: Extreme inequality is fueling climate change:
https://ricochet.media/en/791/extreme-inequality-fueling-climate-change-oxfam-study

The welfare state: So retro it’s new?:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/12/the-welfare-state-a-terrible-name-for-an-essential-system/418500/

Nobel laureate says education the key to solve poverty and unemployment:
http://www.firstpost.com/world/education-key-to-solve-poverty-unemployment-nobel-laureate-kailash-satyarthi-2529682.html

  • Why education does not fix poverty: http://www.demos.org/blog-/12/2/15/why-education-does-not-fix-poverty

Can’t afford to die: The rise of funeral poverty in the UK:
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/welfare/-2015/12/can-t-afford-die-rise-funeral-poverty

China vows to lift remaining 70 million above poverty line by 2020:
http://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/china-vows-to-lift-remaining-70-million-above-poverty-by-2020-27555.html

  • Chinese cadres told to meet poverty reduction targets or face getting fired: http://www.scmp.com-/news/china/society/article/1885378/meet-targets-cut-poverty-or-face-sack-chinese-cadres-told

How poor single moms in the US survive:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive-/2015/12/how-poor-single-moms-survive/418158/

 

 

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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.