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Media & Policy News: 4 October 2016

October 3, 2016

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

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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.