Top Stories
Campaign 2000 calls on the premiers to strengthen poverty reduction and on the federal government to adopt its own strategy:
- Chronicle Herald: http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/120641-premiers-must-remember-poverty-affects-all-canadians#.UA_0s44T5Dk.email
- Vancouver Sun:http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Premiers+Remember+that+poverty+affects+Canadians/6985971/story.html
The $610 Diet Plan – from Raise the Rates BC:
http://raisetherates.org/2012/07/18/lose-weight-at-the-welfare-rate/
Study says poor moms are often diagnosed with anxiety, but the problem is really poverty – solutions should be income supports and services, not psychiatry:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/poor-moms-stressed-not-mentally-ill-study-finds/article4430358/
Food prices could soon skyrocket due to drought, warns NDP:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/07/24/drought-food-prices-canada-ndp_n_1698977.html?utm_hp_ref=canada
A recent Economic Inequality public meeting hosts several speakers (including me!) on how to fix the problem:
http://www.economicinequality.ca/category/featured/
The Star’s legal affairs reporter has passed away:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1231418–tracey-tyler-star-legal-affairs-reporter-exposed-flaws-in-the-justice-system
Ontario
Hudak’s plans for “flexible labour” means driving down wages, says Sid Ryan:
http://m.torontosun.com/2012/07/20/flexible-labour-means-cheap-labour
Around the Province
Toronto City staff kill Hardship Fund, despite Council direction:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1231904–toronto-city-staff-kill-hardship-fund-that-covers-medical-expenses-for-the-needy
Guelph’s “Affordable Bus Pass” program – for people with incomes below the Low Income Measure – is working well:
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/765199–response-strong-to-new-affordable-bus-pass
Food bank use in Sarnia up:
http://www.sarniathisweek.com/2012/06/29/evidence-of-the-working-poor-food-bank-use-emphasises-economic-problems-for-the-working-class
Warren Kinsella says poverty and inequality are reasons behind gun violence in Toronto (sorry for his inappropriate use of the word “crazy”):
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/23/poverty-and-inequality-the-triggers-to-more-gunplay
Across the Country
What happens when Newfoundland has a poverty reduction strategy and BC doesn’t? Newfoundland’s poverty rate plummets. BC’s doesn’t:
http://www.cpj.ca/en/content/tale-two-provinces-case-action-against-poverty
National
A recent poll shows the Conservatives may be heading for disaster:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/07/17/ekos-poll-conservatives-ndp_n_1679238.html
Companies are hoarding cash, and it could spell doom for the economy:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/tear-down-those-mountains-of-cash/article4431702/
CCPA’s Erika Shaker takes apart common neoliberal myths:
http://www.behindthenumbers.ca/2012/06/29/canadas-mean-test-myths-behind-neo-con-madness/
International
US poverty reaching highest levels since the 1960s:
- http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/u-s-poverty-poised-to-rise-to-highest-level-since-1960s-1.888609
- http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/07/22/poverty-in-united-states-soars-to-levels-not-since-since-160s/
- http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-22/poverty-in-america/56417780/1
- http://wallstreetpit.com/94007-is-the-poverty-rate-set-to-reach-a-40-year-high
Cherokee activist points out the connection between obesity and poverty:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120721/OPINION03/307210005/Don-t-ignore-poverty-obesity-fight?nclick_check=1
More on The Great US Welfare Work Waiver Debate:
- Fight heats up between Republicans and Democrats: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/07/19/fight-heats-up-over-welfare-rules/
- Republicans introduce bill to block reforms: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/19/republicans-introduce-bill-to-block-changes-to-welfare-reform/
- Obama seen to be putting Democrats on the hotseat: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-23/obama-puts-democrats-back-in-welfare-reform-trap.html
- Sebelius defends the reforms: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/other/238883-sebelius-welfare-policy-change-strengthens-work-requirement
- http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/obama-administration-defends-change-to-welfare-to-work-program/
Welfare reforms just passed in New Zealand:
- Government press release outlines changes: http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2012/july-2012/23/welfare-reform-bill-passes-into-law.aspx
- More on what government wants to do: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10821466
- Advocacy group says reforms perpetuate discrimination: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1207/S00289/welfare-reforms-perpetuate-discrimination.htm
- More criticism from advocates: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7314472/Welfare-reforms-passed-but-protests-won-t-stop