Ed. note: Playing catch-up here for the last two weeks. Look for another M&PN on Friday!
Top Stories
Radio: What the 1.5% increase for ODSP rates actually means:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/ottawa/programs/ottawamorning/odsp-increase-1.3785513
Joe Fiorito’s last column, as he hangs up his hat after 17 years:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/26/hail-and-farewell-its-been-swell-fiorito.html
Daily Bread’s annual Toronto hunger report highlights growing need among older adults:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/food-bank-report-1.3767108
- Food bank users increasingly older, better educated: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/19/food-bank-users-increasingly-older-better-educated.html
- “Those who live on social assistance may not be receiving enough money to pay for both food and housing”: http://globalnews.ca/news/2948572/food-banks-see-rise-in-older-adults-using-services/
- Huge increase in demand from newly-arrived Syrian refugees – low incomes and high housing costs to blame: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/influx-of-syrian-refugees-helps-drive-rise-in-use-of-food-banks/article31948639/
- Here’s the DBFB’s report: http://www.dailybread.ca/whoshungry/
- Here’s the DBFB’s news release: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/number-of-baby-boomers-accessing-food-banks-in-toronto-rapidly-increasing-593944341.html
Don’t let an essential reform on social assistance disappear:
http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6875900-don-t-let-essential-reform-on-assistance-disappear/
- Op-Ed: Hamilton MPPs bill will fix a broken system: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/28/only-three-out-of-700-firms-prosecuted-for-paying-below-minimum-wage?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Average rent for two-bedroom apartments in Toronto climbed 12.5% in 2016:
http://www.cp24.com/news/average-rent-for-two-bedroom-apartments-in-toronto-climbed-12-5-per-cent-in-2016-1.3072307
- New report on rents in various communities across Canada: http://www.rentseeker.ca/blog/index.php/newly-updated-rental-data-shows-average-rents-for-20-canadian-cities/2917
Mayors form alliance, convene a summit today to push for housing cash:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2016/09/25/mayors-form-alliance-to-push-for-housing-cash.html
- Fight for affordable housing in Vancouver intensifies as units sit empty: http://rabble.ca/news/2016/09/fight-affordable-housing-vancouver-intensifies-units-sit-empty#.V-At-NgvccA.twitter
Canada’s housing crisis is a public health emergency:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/homelessness-public-health-commentary-1.3777019
- Indigenous woman protests poor housing conditions on First Nations with a hunger strike: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/sagkeeng-hunger-strike-1.3778412
Op-Ed: National affordable housing plan urgently needed:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/09/27/national-affordable-housing-plan-urgently-needed.html
Ottawa making housing fix a top priority, minister says:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-making-housing-fix-a-top-priority-minister-says/article31924658/
- Chinese student files lawsuit to halt BC’s 15% tax on foreign purchasers: http://www.financialpost.com/m/wp/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/blog.html?b=business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/mortgages-real-estate/lawyer-files-legal-challenge-to-halt-b-c-s-15-tax-on-foreign-purchasers
- CIBC says Ontario will need to implement foreign buyer tax on housing:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/benjamin-tal-housing-cibc-1.3769153
Workers’ Action Centre releases response to Changing Workplaces Review Interim Report:
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b32b33961fd1e65272919d8a6&id=b0a06d7ad6&e=51059eb750
- October 1 rally: Demonstrate for $15 and Fairness: http://15andfairness.org/take-action/october-1st-rally/
Migrant farm workers deserve better from Canada:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/migrant-farm-workers-deserve-better/article31936582/
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers deserve the right to call Canada home: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/janet-mclaughlin/seasonal-agricultural-workers_b_12159226.html
- Migrant workers caravan hits Toronto en route to Parliament Hill: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/25/migrant-workers-caravan-hits-toronto-en-route-to-parliament-hill.html
Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day seeks faster action from Ontario on First Nations poverty:
http://www.netnewsledger.com/2016/09/19/ontario-regional-chief-day-seeks-faster-action-government/
Canada Revenue Agency is cracking down on Panama Papers “tax cheats”:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/no-deals-for-panama-papers-tax-cheats-canada-revenue-agency/article32045969/
Walkom: Unifor-GM agreement a stake in heart of company pensions:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/09/21/unifor-gm-agreement-a-stake-in-heart-of-company-pensions-walkom.html
CPP benefits hike will take 40 years to be fully implemented:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cpp-hike-morneau-committee-1.3769025
- CPP changes will hurt economy in short term: Officials: http://globalnews.ca/news/2948875/canada-pension-plan-changes-will-hurt-economy-in-short-term-officials/
- CPP expansion will increase earnings cap by 14%: http://www.reuters.com/article/canada-pensions-idUSL2N1BV0VQ
- Government of Canada Backgrounder: CPP Enhancement: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n16/data/16-113_3-eng.asp
- Government of Canada Backgrounder: Long-Term Benefits of Canada Pension Plan Enhancements: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1126679&tp=930
Quebec pension fund ups the stakes in infrastructure “test case”:
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/quebec-pension-fund-ups-stakes-infrastructure-test-case-052024529–sector.html
Ontario
Changes to the way Social Assistance Clients Access Drug Coverage:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/opdp_eo/notices/DrugEligibilityCard_Pharmacists_InfoSheet.pdf
Government release: Ontario increasing minimum wage on October 1:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2016/09/ontario-increasing-minimum-wage-on-october-1.html
- Minimum Wage increase: Is it enough?: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=b32b33961fd1e65272919d8a6&id=6f099d07cd
Ontario housing benefit to aid women fleeing domestic violence:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/17/ontario-housing-benefit-to-aid-women-fleeing-domestic-violence.html
Four part Metroland series on Child poverty in Ontario:
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6875802-growing-up-poor-child-poverty-in-ontario/
- Part 1: “Poverty is here. It’s right around the corner from you”: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6875593–poverty-is-here-it-s-right-around-the-corner-from-you-/
- Part 2: Tackling the “monster of poverty” in Niagara region:
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6875564-tackling-monster-of-poverty-in-niagara-region/
- Part 3: The cold hard facts: From Oshawa to York Region: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6875493-the-cold-hard-facts-from-oshawa-to-york-region/
- Part 4: Going forward, are we doing what’s needed? Is it enough?: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6875359-going-forward-are-we-doing-what-s-needed-is-it-enough-/
Ontario urged to ensure expansion of daycare goes to non-profit sector:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/23/ontario-urged-to-expand-daycare-in-non-profit-sector.html
- Throne Speech promises 100,000 more daycare spots: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/ontario-parents-welcome-new-focus-on-daycare.html
Children’s aid overhaul would raise top age to 18:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/20/childrens-aid-overhaul-would-raise-top-age-to-18.html
- BC report shows raising the age of care from 19 to 25 would more than pay for itself: http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2016/09/19/investing-youth-leaving-bc-foster-care-would-pay-for-itself.html
- Striking Peel children’s aid workers demand improved safety: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/19/striking-peel-childrens-aid-workers-demand-improved-safety.html
Tories gain in popularity over Liberals in Ontario: Poll:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/18/tories-gain-in-popularity-over-liberals-in-ontario-poll.html
- Has Liberal support reached the point of no return? No one knows: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/20/the-unbearable-lightness-of-liberal-voter-support-cohn.html
- Liberals gearing up for 2018 campaign: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/19/kathleen-wynnes-liberals-gear-up-for-2018-campaign.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
ISAC Webinar – October 14: Basic Income: What is it and what could it mean for social assistance?
http://incomesecurity.org/public-education/basic-income-what-is-it-and-what-could-it-mean-for-social-assistance/
Campaign: Tell the Ontario government they’ve got it wrong on Payday Loans:
https://opicco.org/2016/09/16/tell-the-ontario-government-theyve-got-it-wrong-on-payday-loans/
Decades of outsourcing services raised, not cut, municipal costs: Study:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2016/09/20/outsourcing-services-raised-not-cut-municipal-costs-study.html
Study: Privatizing government doesn’t actually save money:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/study-privatizing-government-doesnt-actually-save-money/2011/09/15/gIQA2rpZUK_blog.html?postshare=4861475466505080&tid=ss_fb
Examples of how city services privatization leads to inequality are piling up:
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/privatization-water-utilities-inequality-poverty
Mowat Centre: Pilot Lessons: How to design a basic income pilot project for Ontario:
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1bb1469277169753440444d73&id=4528fa5dc8&e=21403e3832
IRPP: Canada’s Equalization Policy in Comparative Perspective
http://irpp.org/research-studies/insight-no9/?mc_cid=d7013787f3&mc_eid=93c40f0305
Reasonable Doubt: Why you should attend your disability hearing:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/reasonable-doubt-why-you-should-attend-your-disability-hearing/
Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, July 2016:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160929/dq160929a-eng.htm
Canadian key household debt ratio hits record high:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/debt-income-ratio-record-1.3763343
Around the Province
Ombudsman hears hydro complaints at forum in Muskoka:
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/hydro-one-ombudsman-hears-complaints-at-forum-in-muskoka-area-1.3063728
York prof encourages Haldimand-Norfolk agencies to talk about social determinants of health:
http://www.norfolknews.ca/news-story/6866325-governments-must-address-root-causes-of-poverty-expert-says/
First ever northeastern Ontario Aboriginal Health Care Reconciliation action plan launched:
http://www.parrysound.com/news-story/6874444-first-ever-northeastern-ontario-aboriginal-health-care-reconciliation-action-plan-launched/
Poverty Roundtable Hastings Prince Edward meets next week in the wake of troubling poverty statistics:
http://www.insidebelleville.com/news-story/6863374-poverty-roundtable-meets-sept-28-in-wake-of-more-troubling-statistics/
Federally-appointed co-manager pockets $700K intended for First Nations children’s breakfast program:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/man-charged-with-diverting-funds-from-ontario-reserves-breakfast-program/article31980440/?click=sf_globefb?ord=1
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief participates in Thunder Bay fast to raise awareness of homelessness and the safety of vulnerable populations:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/deputy-grand-chief-fasts-for-homeless-415203
Block Behind the Numbers: The case for raising property taxes in Ottawa:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/09/19/case-raising-property-taxes-ottawa/
Kingston Landlord and Tenant Board hearing into living conditions called “tainted” by legal representative:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/09/19/motels-legal-rep-calls-process-tainted
Hamilton shows what works in the fight against homelessness:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hamilton-shows-what-works-in-the-fight-against-homelessness-1.3759668
Waterloo anti-poverty advocates continue push for free transit:
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6873661-anti-poverty-advocates-continue-push-for-free-transit/
Hamilton bus stop posters provoke thought about Residential Schools:
http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/blog/?post=Bus+Stop+Posters+Intended+to+Provoke+Thought&id=371
Cost of living cutting into food budgets in Chatham:
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2016/09/20/hunger-awareness-week-across-canada
Phase-out of Toronto TTC tokens worries advocates for the poor, but TTC says single ride passes are coming:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/18/phase-out-of-ttc-tokens-worries-advocates-for-the-poor.html
- The switch to Presto could make life harder for seniors and students: http://torontoist.com/2016/09/the-switch-to-presto-could-make-life-a-lot-harder-for-seniors-and-students/
Social Planning Toronto participates in poverty-focused “hackathon”:
http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/social_planning_toronto_participates_in_poverty_focused_hackathon
Toronto taking action to build more affordable housing:
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=af71df79b2df6410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&nrkey=2FD903BAACAC0DF68525803B004D7230
Across the Country
Too many contract instructors at Nova Scotia universities, researcher says:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/contract-instructors-universities-part-time-job-security-1.3768776
Vancouver to become first major city in Canada certified as a Living Wage employer:
http://mayorofvancouver.ca/news/vancouver-become-first-major-city-canada-certified-living-wage-employer
Vancouver rental crunch threatens to squeeze out vulnerable tenants:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/vancouver/vancouver-rental-crunch-threatens-to-squeeze-out-vulnerable-tenants/article32026994/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com
Regent tenant demands repairs to crumbling Vancouver hotel:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/regent-tenant-demands-repairs-to-crumbling-vancouver-hotel/article32092014/?click=sf_globefb
Two new supervised injection sites to open in Vancouver:
http://www.straight.com/news/792786/locations-revealed-two-new-supervised-injection-sites-vancouver-drug-users
Not all Alberta businesses are opposed to $15 minimum wage:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/alberta-minimum-wage-business-support-1.3773162
BC exempts maternity and parental leave benefits for people on social assistance:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016SDSI0060-001817
Premiers’ performance: Pallister and Clark climb; Wynne loses ground:
http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f7dda22184bee7fac707500ef&id=7583cf798b&e=9e305f90ee
National
Advocate slams Trudeau government for lack of child welfare services on reserves:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/15/advocate-slams-trudeau-government-for-lack-of-child-welfare-services-on-reserves.html
McParland: After almost a year in power, are the Liberals that different from Tories?:
http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/kelly-mcparland-after-a-year-in-power-are-the-liberals-that-different-from-tories
CPI up 1.1% year-over-year in August:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160923/dq160923a-eng.htm
EI beneficiaries up 4.4% in July over June:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160922/dq160922a-eng.htm
International
Bahamas the latest tax haven hit by mass data leak:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/bahamas-offshore-data-leak-tax-haven-1.3771867
- How Amazon saved billions in taxes: http://europe.newsweek.com/behind-amazons-tax-strategy-494325?rm=eu
- Report: New data disproves US corporations’ false narrative on taxes: http://www.taxjustice.net/2016/09/20/report-new-data-disproves-us-corporations-false-narrative-taxes/
- Ecuador’s foreign minister steps up campaign for UN tax body: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/sep/21/ecuador-foreign-minister-guillaume-long-steps-up-campaign-for-un-tax-body
Millions in the US climb out of poverty, at long last:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/26/business/economy/millions-in-us-climb-out-of-poverty-at-long-last.html?_r=0
- Pennsylvania school lunch worker quits after being forced to refuse hot meal to poor student: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/09/20/school-lunch-worker-quits-after-being-forced-to-refuse-hot-meal-to-poor-student/
- Career Pathways welfare reform program helps those struggling in Arkansas: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/08/31/this-welfare-reform-program-could-be-a-model-to-help-impoverished-college-students/
Japan’s “children’s cafeterias” combat poverty and neglect:
https://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/childrens-cafeterias-combat-poverty-neglect-in-japan
UK Cabinet Minister to appear before Scottish legislative committee to answer welfare reform concerns:
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/14750677.AT_last__UK_Cabinet_Minister_to_appear_before_Holyrood_welfare_committee/
How poor policy has trapped Kenyan sugarcane farmers in poverty:
http://www.nation.co.ke/news/How-sugar-experiment-backfired/1056-3386408-6cbxtbz/
Australia unlocks “96 million ware chest in bid to tackle welfare cost blowout:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-20/government-new-welfare-investment-approach-risk-groups-targeted/7859432
- Australia unveils “shake up” to prevent welfare “dependency” and cut costs: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/turnbull-government-unveils-welfare-shakeup/news-story/266eb20beac9d9ecfa7f1224db0dce5f
- Video: Can New Zealand’s tough welfare reforms be replicated in Australia?:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-19/can-new-zealand’s-tough-welfare-reforms-be/7859766
- Meet key players in the New Zealand welfare system inspiring an Australian “revolution”:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-19/meet-key-players-in-new-zealands-welfare-reform/7859446
- Australia has a poverty problem, not a welfare problem: unemployment is a failure of the market, not the person:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/20/australia-does-not-have-a-welfare-problem-we-have-a-poverty-problem
Private company tells Australia it will no longer provide welfare services to detained refugees on Nauru:
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/refugee-welfare-service-provider-connect-abandons-nauru-20160919-grjoae.html
UK’s first “food waste” supermarket opens:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/first-food-waste-supermarket-uk-leeds-real-junk-food-project-a7317906.html
UK neighbours blockade home to prevent “revenge eviction” after mum complains about dampness:
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/neighbours-in-bristol-blockade-home-to-prevent-revenge-eviction-after-mum-complains-about-damp/story-29734741-detail/story.html
Only 3 out of 700 UK firms prosecuted for paying below the minimum wage:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/28/only-three-out-of-700-firms-prosecuted-for-paying-below-minimum-wage?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other