ISAC has an opening for a permanent full-time staff lawyer. We’re seeking a person with exceptional skills to undertake strategic litigation, as well as contribute to policy advocacy and community development, aimed at expanding the legal rights, remedies and benefits available to low income workers and people relying on income security programs. As a specialty …
Updates
Election 2018: Tools That You Can Use
ISAC’s election kit and associated resources are ready for you to use in your community. Election Day is June 7, and the official election campaign started on May 9. An election period provides a vital opportunity to advocate on issues that are important for low-income people across Ontario. It’s a time when the political parties …
Trusts and Access to Social Assistance: Supreme Court Case April 25
On April 25th, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear a case that asks whether money held in a trust affects eligibility for social programs, even if the recipient cannot access that money. In this case, a person referred to as “S.A.” was denied a rent subsidy in Vancouver social housing because of inheritance monies …
Supreme Court to decide on striking down the Mandatory Victim Surcharge: Watch the Hearing Live
On April 17-18, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear four cases challenging the mandatory victim surcharge under the Charter. The cases will decide whether the mandatory victim surcharge violates the Charter rights of poor people who are convicted of crimes because it is “cruel and unusual” (s. 12 of the Charter) and/or violates the …
Protect the Privacy of Individuals at Administrative Tribunals: Court Case April 4-6
An important case concerning the privacy of individuals who seek to enforce their rights at administrative tribunals will be heard this week. This case could directly affect the privacy of individuals at the Human Rights Tribunal, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, and the Landlord and Tenant Board, among other administrative tribunals. It could also set …
Ontario Budget 2018: ISAC Analysis and Budget Details
Important First Steps to Transformation but No Meaningful Progress on Rates The 2018 Ontario Budget introduced today proposes to make a number of critically important changes to social assistance and other benefit systems, which would start to move the system away from the punitive, intrusive system that currently exists and toward the supportive approach that …
Federal Budget 2018: Income Security Highlights
The federal Liberal government introduced its third budget last Tuesday, February 27. The Budget and all associated documents are available at this link: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2018/docs/nrc/2018-02-27-en.html Here are a few highlights on income security and related issues. This list is not exhaustive – some helpful resources are included at the end of this email that can provide …
Work With Us!
ISAC has an opening for a Litigation Assistant / Law Clerk on a maternity leave fill one-year contract. We’re seeking a person with exceptional skills to provide primarily litigation support to legal staff and some administrative assistance to program staff and management. As a specialty legal clinic working to advance the income security of low-income …
Government should be held accountable for discrimination: Court case Feb 28
In a landmark case at the Human Rights Tribunal, Sheryl Abbey was successful in proving that the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) discriminated against her. But the Tribunal refused to award her compensation for the injury that she experienced as a result. She has asked the Divisional Court to review that decision. A coalition made …
Arts Grants now exempt in ODSP and OW
– la version française suit dessous – On December 13, 2017, the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) announced that, effective that day, arts grants are exempt as income and assets in both ODSP and OW. This is a huge step forward for artists in Ontario who get income support from these programs and receive arts …
