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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: 7 October 2016

October 7, 2016

Top Stories

Thousands rally at Queen’s Park for workers’ rights and $15 minimum wage:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/queens-park-rally-minimum-wage-1.3787607

  • Rabbis call for fairness for all workers: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/09/30/rabbis-call-for-fairness-for-all-workers.html

Social assistance rates in Ontario are up. Here’s what it actually means:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/ottawa/programs/ottawamorning/odsp-increase-1.3785513

  • Government news release: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2016/09/ontario-increasing-social-assistance-rates.html
  • ISAC’s new rates sheet explains the increases: http://incomesecurity.org/public-education/ow-and-odsp-rates-and-the-ocb-2016/
  • Video: A look at the realities of the Ontario Disability Support Program: http://globalnews.ca/video/2975920/a-look-at-the-realities-of-the-ontario-disability-service-program
  • Hamilton MPP presents Bill 6: http://raisethehammer.org/article/3098
  • Bringing social assistance into this decade can fix poverty gap: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ontario-association-of-food-banks/social-assistance-poverty-gap_b_12357070.html

Hennessy and Himelfarb: Basic Income is coming to Ontario: Now what?:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/10/07/basic-income-is-coming-to-ontario-now-what.html

  • Here’s the report: Basic Income: Rethinking Social Policy (note: I’ve got a short piece in this one): https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/basic-income

Basic income no silver bullet against poverty, CCPA report says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/05/basic-income-no-silver-bullet-against-poverty-report-says.html

  • Here’s the report from David Macdonald: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/policymaker%E2%80%99s-guide-basic-income
  • Canadian Press report: http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/minimum-income-programs-no-magic-bullet-in-poverty-battle-report-1.3102265
  • Sudbury conference looks at basic income: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2016/10/06/sudbury-conference-exploring-guaranteed-income
  • Guelph & Wellington Task Force community event examines basic income: https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/can-a-basic-income-guarantee-eliminate-poverty-426185
  • OISE event October 12: Is it time for basic income?: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/clsew/Speaker_Series/Oct_12_Guaranteed_Basic_Income_Art_Eggleton_Michael_Mendelson.html

Big City Mayors come together at 2016 Toronto Housing Summit:
http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2016/10/big-city-mayors-come-together-2016-toronto-housing-summit

  • Lorinc: Let’s actually talk about investing in housing: http://spacing.ca/toronto/2016/10/03/lorinc-lets-actually-talk-investing-housing/
  • Advocates call for attention to indigenous poverty and housing issues in Toronto:
    http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2016/10/03/charity-calls-for-attention-on-indigenous-housing.html
  • Philanthropy an untapped affordable housing resource:
    https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/10/06/philanthropy-an-untapped-affordable-housing-resource.html

National consultations announced: Duclos releases Poverty Reduction Strategy discussion paper:
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1132059

  • Consultation website: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/consultations/poverty_reduction.page
  • Here’s the discussion paper: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/reports/poverty_reduction.page

Prime Minister announces agreement on strengthened Canada Pension Plan:
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/10/04/prime-minister-canada-announces-agreement-strengthened-canada-pension-plan

  • After delay, BC agrees to back Ottawa’s proposal to expand the CPP: http://www.plant.ca/general/b-c-agrees-to-back-ottawas-proposal-to-expand-canada-pension-plan-162317/
  • Government introduces CPP expansion legislation: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1133879
  • Why CPP expansion will be more of a saving grace for millennials: http://www.bnn.ca/personal-investor-why-cpp-expansion-will-be-more-of-a-saving-grace-for-millennials-1.579919

What changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program would mean for employers and foreign workers in Canada:
http://www.cicnews.com/2016/10/changes-temporary-foreign-worker-program-mean-employers-foreign-workers-in-canada-108554.html

  • Injured farm worker struggles to survive after support cut off: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/07/injured-farm-worker-struggles-to-survive-after-support-cut-off.html
  • Migrant workers say they’re Canada’s “modern day slaves”: https://nowtoronto.com/news/migrant-workers-canada’s-modern-day-slaves/
  • Caravan cultivates support for migrant farm workers: http://www.thewhig.com/2016/09/28/caravan-cultivates-support-for-migrant-farm-workers

Judge drops $65,000 in fines against man who was formerly homeless:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/law-student-homeless-tickets-fines-appeal-1.3788734?platform=hootsuite

How child care costs compare in Canada (hint: they’re way more than tuition):
http://globalnews.ca/news/2974609/how-child-care-costs-compare-in-canada-hint-theyre-way-more-than-tuition/#shawmaps_frame_2975139

Saskatchewan-based multinational uranium company faces CRA in court over $2.2 billion tax bill:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/cra-tax-cameco-1.3788766

 

Ontario

New OHRC policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability:
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/policy-ableism-and-discrimination-based-disability

Simcoe County to receive $14.5 million in new CHPI funding for housing and homelessness:
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2016/10/04/ontario-minister-in-barrie-tuesday

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

Government of Canada consulting on providing more flexible EI maternity and parental benefits:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/business/cnw/release.html?rkey=20161006C2554&filter=5599

  • Wider array of parental benefits still leave out too many: http://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/0928-edit-martin-view

Tamarack webinar: The fight for decent work: Tackling low wages, precarious work, and poverty:
http://events.tamarackcommunity.ca/the_fight_for_decent_work

Ottawa event October 20: Ending poverty in Canada:
http://presbyterian.ca/2016/09/29/ending-poverty-canada-ottawa-oct-20-2016/

 

Around the Province

Brutal poverty plagues London like few other cities across our region:
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/10/02/brutal-poverty-plagues-london-like-few-other-cities-across-our-region

  • Poverty Over London campaign aims to raise awareness, debunk myths: http://www.lfpress.com/2016/09/29/poverty-in-london-poverty-over-london-campaign-aims-to-raise-awareness-debunk-myths

12 per cent of Muskoka population lives in poverty:
http://www.muskokaregion.com/news-story/6890540-12-per-cent-of-muskoka-population-in-poverty-report/

Some optimism in plight of seniors, Hamilton anti-poverty advocates say:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6888732-some-optimism-in-plight-of-seniors-hamilton-anti-poverty-advocates-say/

Improving housing options for survivors of domestic violence:
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2016/09/29/improving-housing-options-for-survivors-of-domestic-violence

Child poverty is family poverty, and it’s a cycle we need to break:
http://www.flamboroughreview.com/opinion-story/6898820-child-poverty-is-family-poverty/

Ottawa to introduce low-income transit pass in 2017:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2016/10/04/ottawa-to-introduce-low-income-transit-pass-in-2017.html

  • “This makes a big difference”: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/watson-says-low-income-oc-transpo-pass-coming-in-2017
  • Coalition applauds announcement of low-income bus pass: http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/6896613-coalition-applauds-announcement-of-low-income-bus-pass/

Ottawa United Way: Do you know what it’s like to live in poverty? Take the test:
https://www.unitedwayottawa.ca/do-you-know-what-its-like-to-live-in-poverty/

Toronto’s Vital Signs report paints a relentlessly dire picture of the news on housing:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/04/rising-through-the-ups-and-downs-of-our-city-keenan.html

  • Here’s the report: http://homelesshub.ca/resource/toronto%E2%80%99s-vital-signs-report
  • Star editorial: Vital Signs report challenges Toronto to do better: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/10/04/vital-signs-report-challenges-toronto-to-do-better-editorial.html

Six things to get mad about in Toronto’s latest food bank report:
http://torontoist.com/2016/10/six-things-to-get-mad-about-in-the-latest-food-bank-report/

Poverty Roundtable of Hastings Prince Edward recognizes past, prepares for future:
http://www.insidebelleville.com/news-story/6885745-poverty-roundtable-recognizes-past-prepares-for-future/

 

Across the Country

Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition calls for government to cancel social assistance cuts:
http://www.620ckrm.com/2016/09/29/65598/

  • Province concerned about sustainability of SAID as recipients anxiety goes up over cuts: http://leaderpost.com/news/politics/province-concerned-about-sustainability-of-said-as-recipients-anxiety-goes-up-over-cuts

Nova Scotia legal workers say social assistance shelter allowance increase could help fight housing crisis:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/housing-community-services-shelter-allowance-deveaux-1.3785430

Cape Breton mayoral debate hears personal stories of poverty:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cape-breton-university-cecil-clarke-rankin-macsween-debate-1.3794647

BC government ends maternity leave clawbacks for people on social assistance:
http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/b-c-government-set-to-eliminate-maternity-clawback

  • Ending EI maternity leave clawbacks for BC families welcomed in Chilliwack:
    http://www.theprogress.com/news/395473401.html
  • BC families on income assistance et to keep EI maternity benefits: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ei-income-assistance-maternity-benefits-1.3782602

Places large and small seek BC poverty reduction plan:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/places-large-and-small-seek-b-c-poverty-reduction-plan-1.2354258

National

Liberals dragging heels on $450 million class-action lawsuit, moms denied EI say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/10/04/liberals-dragging-heals-on-450m-class-action-lawsuit-moms-denied-ei-say.html

Ottawa tightens mortgage rules to combat rising house prices:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/10/03/ottawa-to-close-tax-loophole-for-foreign-home-buyers-reports-say.html

Ottawa’s housing reforms target foreign buyers, mortgage debt:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-unveils-new-housing-measures-to-slow-foreign-real-estate-investment/article32206297/

CPP fund to grow by $191 billion over next decade: http://www.benefitscanada.com/pensions/governance-law/cpp-fund-to-grow-by-191b-over-next-decade-report-88091

 

International

How Google searched for and found perfect tax havens:
www.therecord.com/opinion-story/6890612-how-google-searched-for-and-found-perfect-tax-havens/

  • When it comes to tax avoidance, Donald Trump’s just a small fry:
    http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/business/dealbook/when-it-comes-to-tax-avoidance-donald-trumps-just-a-small-fry.html?_r=1

An update on who is poor in the United States:
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2016/09/26/an-update-on-who-is-poor-in-the-united-states/

  • Progressive policies can reduce poverty, as the US shows: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/27/us-data-progressive-policies-reduce-poverty
  • Legal aid group questions new Maine, US welfare to work rules:
    http://www.dailyprogress.com/legal-aid-group-questions-new-maine-welfare-to-work-rules/article_ac593598-2350-55ef-a0df-78767ba1582e.html
  • California housing policies drive up poverty:
    http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinion/20160929/california-housing-policies-drive-up-poverty

Reassessments to be scrapped for chronically ill benefits claimants in the UK:
www.itv.com/news/2016-10-01/reassessments-to-be-scrapped-for-chronically-ill-benefit-claimins/

  • A common-sense approach to welfare: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/01/damian-greens-common-sense-approach-to-welfare-is-much-needed-in/
  • Number of children in poverty in the UK increased by 250,000 under Conservatives:
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/child-poverty-increases-low-income-families-tory-cuts-conservative-government-austerity-a7340466.html

Australia adopting New Zealand’s cost-containment welfare scheme:
http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/federal/2016/10/02/alan-tudge-hails-nz-welfare-approach.html

  • Plan to give private service providers ability to cut welfare benefits slammed:
    http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace-relations/plan-to-give-private-job-service-providers-power-to-cut-welfare-slammed-20160926-grohf2.html
  • Welfare card could replace cash for jobless teens: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/welfare-card-could-replace-cash-for-jobless-teens/news-story/d398beb5bff996402639420bd812d9a1
  • Ill or injured jobseekers lose welfare if they can’t take up training programs: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/01/ill-or-injured-jobseekers-lose-welfare-if-they-cant-take-up-training-programs
  • Should we be slashing welfare while the wealthy get tax cuts?: https://startsat60.com/stories/news/lets-talk-should-we-be-slashing-welfare-while-the-wealthy-get-tax-cuts

Call for better decisions on social welfare in Ireland:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/call-for-better-decisions-on-social-welfare-423855.html

New welfare powers for Scotland poses ‘big challenge’, says minister:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37506194

Argentina discloses poverty data after three-year gap:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/argentina-reveals-poverty-data-year-gap-160930151900189.html

More wealth, more jobs, but not for everyone: What fuels the backlash on trade:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/business/economy/more-wealth-more-jobs-but-not-for-everyone-what-fuels-the-backlash-on-trade.html?_r=0

The IMF is worried about the world’s $152 trillion debt pile:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-05/a-record-152-trillion-in-global-debt-unnerves-imf-officials

World Bank-UNICEF study shows some 385 million children live in extreme poverty:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55198#.V_ejAclWKT8

“We are building our way to hell”: Tales of gentrification around the world:
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/oct/05/building-way-to-hell-readers-tales-gentrification-around-world

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Tel: (416) 597-5820 • Toll Free: 1-866-245-4072 • Fax: (416) 597-5821

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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.