Ontario is in a state of unprecedented crisis. While the province recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic-induced shock on its socio-economic structure, Ontario’s low-income and vulnerable population have seen their poverty and marginalization increase in almost…
The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is currently in the process of being created. The Canada Disability Benefit Act passed into law in June 2023, and since then, government staff have engaged with people across Canada…
Ontario’s social assistance system is in the midst of a “modernization” process that aims to “build a more responsive, efficient, and person-centred” system. The modernization process essentially involves two parts – Social Assistance Renewal (SAR)…
The Government of Ontario has opened up its pre-budget consultation period for submissions from members of the public. This is a great time to share your thoughts on what should be included and prioritized in…
On October 23, 2023, Adrian Merdzan, ISAC Staff Lawyer, joined a panel of experts on an Osgoode Hall Law School Professional Development webinar to discuss the Canada Disability Benefit. Adrian joined the first of two…
On November 2, the Ontario Government released the 2023 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, titled “Building a Strong Ontario Together”. Aside from a provision for low‐income seniors, the Review contains glaring omissions in recognizing…
On June 22, 2023, Bill C-22 received Royal Assent and became law. This is great news, but the important work of figuring out the details of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) is just beginning. We…
Every federal budget cycle includes a period for public submissions well in advance of budget deliberations. ISAC submitted recommendations to the Standing Committee on Finance during the first 2024 Federal Budget pre-budget submission period which…
Guest post by Zoé St Pierre, Student-at-Law at CELA In March 2023, the Low-Income Energy Network (LIEN) and Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) published Pathway Out of Energy Poverty in Northern Ontario, a report assessing…
Bill C-22 (Canada Disability Benefit) has been moving through Parliament over the last several months. The purpose of the Bill is to create a new federal income benefit for people with disabilities. The Bill initially…
On Thursday, March 23, following Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy’s Speech from the Throne, the Provincial 2023-2024 Budget was introduced. Released shortly after the three-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Budget contained few provisions to support…
In a typical year, provincial budget season lasts from January to early Spring, and includes pre-budget and budget submission periods, meetings, and hearings. On February 13, 2023, ISAC’s Senior Policy Analyst, Devorah Kobluk, spoke at…