It’s nearly tax time – an important time to let people with low incomes know how they can benefit from filing their taxes. Use and/or pass along this calculator about tax-delivered credits and benefits
BC makes big social assistance policy change for single parents: eligibility continues with 12 months free tuition and childcare while training for a “high demand” job, extended medical for first year of work, and increased earned income exemption
A call to halt the forced mass exodus of Canada’s migrant farm workers on April 1
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BC ends clawback of child support payments from welfare and disability benefits
Rabble.ca series: Poor people can’t cook, and other myths
Wellesley study shows one-third of workers in Ontario lack extended health benefits – low-income workers and women most affected
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OPSEU is taking the province to court over the new social assistance computer system
Hamilton Council says the plug should be pulled on the new computer system until a fix is found
Northumberland County says they’ve had problems but are working hard to cope
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Liberals backtrack on plan that would have disentitled low income kids from dental care
Brantford Mayor calls new social assistance computer system “an act of staggering incompetence”
OECD report says trickle-down economics doesn’t work; shows how inequality holds back economic growth
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Star editorial: Province must correct computer and administrative errors for welfare recipients:
2014 Hunger Report shows food bank use is soaring across Ontario – I’m quoted on the inadequacy of social assistance benefits
On provisions in Bill C-43 that would allow provinces to restrict refugee claimant access to social assistance
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Advocates take on federal government over Bill C-43
In a whirlwind week of organizing, ISAC and our partners pushed back on Bill C-43
C-43 is the omnibus bill that contains two sections that would allow the provinces to restrict access to social assistance benefits for refugee claimants and others without status in Canada:
Last week, we appeared with Canadian Council for Refugees at the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs during their pre-hearings on Bill C-43
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Harper government buries Private Members Bill C-585 in omnibus Budget bill
Budget bill’s cuts to refugee assistance tops NDP list of complaints
Refugee advocates blast proposed changes to welfare in budget bill
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Top Stories
Daily Bread’s “Who’s Hungry” report shows the percentage of people with disabilities using food banks in the GTA has doubled since 2005
ISAC op-ed in the Star: The new Social Security Tribunal demonstrates Ottawa’s unjust approach to disability insurance
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Top Story: Ontario’s Second Poverty Reduction Strategy
Government releases its Poverty Reduction Strategy: “Realizing Our Potential”
ISAC: The test of the strategy will be how it deals with social assistance poverty
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Top Stories
Sign on to push for a renewed federal role in housing provision and affordable housing for all
Podcast: Trish Hennessy and Adam Vasey on the intersection of minimum wage and living wage
John Stapleton recognizes today’s 50th anniversary of the Constitutional amendment that brought in the Canada Pension Plan
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Top Stories
Health Providers Against Poverty issue open letter on necessary action for the next Poverty Reduction Strategy
First Nation issues eviction notice to City of Vancouver after City tries to evict people who are homeless
Inclusive zoning: Vancouver’s done it, can Toronto be next?
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Top Stories
Poverty is “a structural issue, which requires substantive government involvement, resources, vision and leadership.”
Star editorial: Wynne’s pledge to tackle poverty needs fleshing out
Generating additional revenue and big movement on poverty reduction might be possible:
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