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Income Security Advocacy Centre

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Media & Policy News: 7 July 2017

July 7, 2017

Top Stories

It’s time to tear down the “welfare wall” for persons with disabilities:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/07/04/its-time-to-tear-down-the-welfare-wall-for-persons-with-disabilities.htm

  • Freeing our people: Updates from the long road to deinstitutionalization: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/freeing-our-people-updates-long-road-deinstitutionalization

Sudbury to review discretionary benefits for OW and ODSP recipients:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/05/city-to-review-benefits-for-ow-odsp-recipients

  • Sudbury grappling with taking on cost of orthodontic care for kids on social assistance: https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/city-grappling-with-taking-on-cost-of-orthodontic-care-for-kids-on-social-assistance-661780

Lawsuit takes on WSIB for rejecting “chronic mental stress” claims:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wsib-mental-stress-workplace-constitution-court-1.4189301

  • Lawsuit seeks relief for injured workers struggling with mental illness: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/05/lawsuit-seeks-relief-for-injured-workers-struggling-with-mental-illness.html

Ontario rent increases capped at 1.8 per cent for next year:
http://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-rent-increases-capped-at-1-8-per-cent-for-next-year-1.3474230

  • Rent cap hailed as win in Barrie: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2017/07/05/rental-cap-in-2108
  • Rent cap raises questions and concerns in Orillia: http://www.orilliapacket.com/2017/07/06/provinces-plan-to-limit-rent-increases-next-year-raises-questions-concerns-locally

Basic income questions raised in Thunder Bay:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/basic-income-pilot-forum-1.4185881

  • TVO’s The Agenda: The Basic Income Debate: http://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/the-basic-income-debate

Evidence shows immigrants will get fewer jobs as Ontario ratchets up minimum wage to $15:
http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/evidence-shows-immigrants-will-get-fewer-jobs-as-ontario-ratchets-up-minimum-wage-to-15/wcm/ad7ed5d3-5a31-4a31-bc7c-63118b088f3a

  • Open letter: Minimum wage hike won’t bring doom and gloom, 40 economists say:
    https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/04/minimum-wage-hike-wont-bring-doom-and-gloom-economists-say.html
  • Higher minimum wage makes sense: Economists: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/04/higher-minimum-wage-makes-sense-economists
  • Higher minimum wages will have a positive impact on Canadian economy:
    https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economic-insight/higher-minimum-wages-will-have-a-positive-impact-on-canadian-economy/article35540658/
  • Minimum wage hike could spell spike in child care fees, daycare operator warns: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/05/minimum-wage-hike-could-spell-spike-in-child-care-fees-daycare-operator-warns.html
  • History suggests minimum wage hikes don’t kill the job market: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/07/04/ontario-minimum-wage-increase-history-suggests-minimum-wage-hik_a_22674006/
  • We must learn from businesses that already pay $15 / hr: https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/7404031-we-must-learn-from-businesses-that-already-pay-15-hr/

Workers Action Centre: Let’s defend and strengthen Bill 148 – submission deadline July 21:
http://mailchi.mp/workersactioncentre/defend-and-strengthen-bill-148-submission-deadline?e=51059eb750

Sears Canada files motion to suspend retiree benefits:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3578836/sears-canada-files-motion-to-suspend-retiree-benefits/

  • Sears seeks to suspend monthly pension plan contributions: http://www.pionline.com/article/20170706/ONLINE/170709957/sears-canada-seeks-to-suspend-monthly-pension-plan-contributions
  • “Totally unacceptable”: Employees and retirees emerge as victims amid Sears restructuring plan: http://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/totally-unacceptable-employees-and-retirees-emerge-as-victims-amid-sears-restructuring-plan/wcm/da03b196-6627-4e9c-972b-5a9fceeef3bb

Canada’s Labour Minister promises more protections for workers coming:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/07/06/Labour-Minister-Promises-More-Protections-Workers/

High number of women failing citizenship test reflects barriers they face, advocates say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/07/03/high-number-of-women-failing-citizenship-test-reflects-barriers-they-face-advocates-say.html

 

Ontario

Ontario appeals court validates mandatory victim surcharges:
http://www.theobserver.ca/2017/07/03/appeal-court-validates-surchages

Public health experts blame Ontario government for gap in food insecurity data:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/food-insecurity-ontario/article35510687/

Seasonal workers already heading back to Ontario farms:
https://observerxtra.com/2017/07/06/seasonal-workers-already-heading-back-to-ontario-farms/

  • Tracking technology causing anxiety, fear among foreign workers: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/tracking-technology-causing-anxiety-fear-among-foreign-workers-advocates-1.3487682

LAO budget woes mean squeeze on immigration and refugee services:
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/201707046273/headline-news/lao-budget-woes-mean-squeeze-on-services

Ontario Ombudsman releases 2016-2017 annual report:
http://mailchi.mp/ombudsman/ombudsman-ontario-the-watchdog-april-newsletter-2628057?e=49dc1efedf

Ontario pledges $2 million in funding for community hub program:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/06/29/ontario-pledges-2m-in-funding-for-community-hub-program.html

Government release: Helping communities access integrated public services:
https://news.ontario.ca/moi/en/2017/06/helping-communities-access-integrated-public-services.html

Government release: Ontario working with partners to make housing more affordable:
https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2017/07/ontario-working-with-partners-to-make-housing-more-affordable.html

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

MWAC: Gains and gaps for migrant workers in Ontario’s proposed new workers’ rights regime:
http://www.migrantworkersalliance.org/gains-and-gaps/

On the Radar: Changes coming for Ontario workers:
http://mailchi.mp/cleo/on-the-radar-changes-coming-for-ontario-workers?e=6e96540544

ONPHA Review of Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan:
http://qc.onpha.on.ca/2017/06/review-of-ontarios-fair-housing-plan/

Toronto event July 17: Basic Income: Ontario’s pilot project:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/basic-income-ontarios-pilot-project-tickets-34674255632

Canada Without Poverty’s Economic and Social Rights program offered again this summer:
http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=389075e355b60ea9c8d3e4044&id=2650613bd8&e=be99085c7f

 

Around the Province

Racism toward Indigenous people escalating in Thunder Bay: Grand chief:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/safety-of-first-nations-youth-focus-of-emergency-meeting-in-thunder-bay-ont/wcm/85e981c1-695c-4060-bcee-f7b83447969c

Unemployment drops in Hamilton in 2017:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/work-force-1.4186320

Toronto home affordability hits worst level on record:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/06/30/toronto-home-affordability-hits-worst-level-on-record_a_23010136/

Toronto gets a massive transit investment from the federal government:
http://www.blogto.com/city/2017/07/toronto-gets-massive-transit-investment-federal-government/

 

Across the Country

BC’s legal aid cuts leave more refugee families to fend for themselves:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2017/07/05/refugees-bc-legal-aid-cuts-leave-families-to-fend-for-selves.html

The new BC government’s calendar includes poverty reduction and basic income:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/local+news/look+green+calendar+next+months/13592721/story.html

Alberta can’t afford not to spend more on affordable housing:
http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/corbella-we-cant-afford-not-to-spend-more-on-affordable-housing

Saskatchewan social assistance benefits reduced starting July 1:
http://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/changes-coming-to-social-assistance-innovation-taxes-on-july-1

Manitoba Tories’ reassurances on poverty fall flat:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/tories-reassurances-on-poverty-fall-flat-433046693.html

Living wage higher in Brandon, MB, than Winnipeg: Report:
http://www.brandonsun.com/local/living-wage-higher-in-brandon-than-winnipegreport-432386733.html

Winnipeg considers poverty strategy:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/metro/Community-considers-poverty-strategy-432279163.html

“In Quebec, it’s a free for all”: Montreal tenants’ group calls for stronger rent controls:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-social-housing-rent-controls-moving-day-1.4188327

Home Again, with dignity: Newfoundland non-profit helping those in need get back on their feet:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/home-again-furniture-1.4185860

Anti-poverty group organizes Muskrat Falls protest in St. John’s:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/muskrat-falls-demonstration-harbourside-park-1.4188557

“It’s an annual thing”: NB Power cuts off indebted family as seasonal aid ends:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-family-lose-power-nb-power-disconnect-1.4184866

The costs of ignoring poverty in Nova Scotia:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/nowns/conversations/1482936-wavelengths-the-costs-of-ignoring-poverty

PEI seniors facing late OAS and CPP cheque delivery:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-cpp-oas-cheques-late-1.4192527

 

National

Globe editorial: The Trudeau government is failing refugee claimants, and Canadians:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/globe-editorial-the-trudeau-government-is-failing-refugee-claimants/article35522884/

Canada rejects hundreds of immigrants based on incomplete data, investigation finds:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3551772/inadmissible-canada-rejects-hundreds-of-immigrants-based-on-incomplete-data-global-investigation-finds/

Gender equality in Canada: Where do we stand today?:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/safety-of-first-nations-youth-focus-of-emergency-meeting-in-thunder-bay-ont/wcm/85e981c1-695c-4060-bcee-f7b83447969c

Trudeau welcomed warmly by anti-poverty activists before G20 meetings in Hamburg:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/trudeau-welcomed-warmly-by-anti-poverty-activists-before-g20-meetings-1.3491545

 

International

US House votes to expand job training to welfare recipients:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-votes-to-expand-job-training-to-welfare-recipients/article/2626910

GOP resolution says welfare programs “discourage marriage”:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gop-resolution-says-welfare-programs-discourage-marriage/article/2626854

How many US lawmakers advocating $15 minimum wage hire unpaid interns?:
http://dailysignal.com/2017/06/23/174-lawmakers-advocating-15-minimum-wage-hire-unpaid-interns/

Grenfell wasn’t an isolated tragedy. Poverty destroys many lives in Britain:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/23/grenfell-tower-poverty-destroys-lives-britain-ill-health

Britain’s largest private-sector employer, Tesco, gives staff pay raise as UK minimum wage imminent:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/23/grenfell-tower-poverty-destroys-lives-britain-ill-health

One in 10 families in Cornwall, UK, in fuel poverty:
http://www.cornwalllive.com/one-in-10-families-in-cornwall-in-fuel-poverty-even-as-duchy-is-warmest-county-in-uk/story-30426847-detail/story.html

Gig economy workers in UK should get minimum wage:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40496572

Why don’t we agonize about welfare cuts in the UK as much as public sector pay caps?:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/05/welfare-cuts-pay-caps-austerity-benefits-tax-credits

Irish Taoiseach pulls back on plans, now will only name and shame high amount “welfare fraudsters”:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/varadkar-rows-back-on-controversial-plan-to-name-all-fraudsters-1.3144643

Poverty report offers “robust advice” to Scottish government:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40480475

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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.