Budget Re-introduced: More Comment Required The new Ontario government re-introduced the 2014 provincial Budget yesterday – the same Budget that was originally introduced on May 1. The Budget includes a social assistance rate increase, with proportionally…
Immigrant seniors to be denied equal access Right now, the House of Commons and a committee of the Senate are reviewing a federal government Bill that will deprive elderly immigrants of equal access to benefits…
Important Commitment on Social Assistance Reform Announced Today There was important news today about the future of social assistance reform in Ontario. Ted McMeekin, the Minister of Community and Social Services, said today that OW and…
Only three weeks into the new year and already one round of provincial pre-budget consultations is complete.ISAC presented recommendations for Ontario’s 2014 Budget to the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on January 16. Our…
Communities across Ontario need more funds for housing and homelessness supports Right now, local and regional municipalities across Ontario are planning their budgets for 2014. One of the issues they’re debating is how to respond…
Advisory Panel to report to government in December The Ontario government appointed a Minimum Wage Advisory Panel in June 2013 to give advice on how to set the minimum wage. Although ISAC mainly works on…
ISAC has made a written submission on Ontario’s next poverty reduction strategy, which is expected to be made public later this year or early next. We focused on issues of income security and social assistance…
The provincial government started consultations on a new Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario in August, and a series of consultation meetings across the province will soon be wrapping up. Now’s the time to make your…
Community consultations have been taking place across Ontario on the provincial government’s next five-year Poverty Reduction Strategy. ISAC has prepared a Toolkit for Community Legal Clinics to use to prepare for and participate in –…
Today is Budget Day in Ontario – later today the new Finance Minister, Charles Sousa, will introduce the next provincial budget in the legislature. What can we expect from this year’s budget? Ontario’s politicians have…
The new Wynne government and the Opposition parties have returned to the Ontario Legislature and the Throne Speech has been read. The next significant milestone will be the 2013 provincial budget. This year’s budget may…
In October 2012, the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario issued its final report, complete with 108 recommendations. That report is suddenly getting a lot of attention. Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak…