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