Top Story: 25 in 5 Progress Report on Poverty Reduction
The 25 in 5 Network’s fourth anniversary progress report on poverty reduction says:
- poverty reduction is possible – child poverty declined between 2008 and 2010
- but government austerity is threatening to put the brakes on progress
- good policy, political leadership, and immediate action are required
- all Ontario’s political leaders should say what they’ll do to meet the 25in5 target and get the next five-year strategy underway
The report is here: http://25in5.ca/dec-4-2012-fourth-anniversary-of-poverty-reduction-in-ontario/
Coverage in the Star:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1297127–ontario-risks-missing-anti-poverty-pledge
Post from Wellesley Institute:
http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/news/time-for-ontario-to-make-some-tough-choices-poverty-and-inequality-are-not-inevitable/
Ontario NDP responds:
http://ondpcaucus.com/en/new-report-shows-government-is-failing-ontarios-poorest/
Meanwhile, Newfoundland and Labrador says their strategy is still on track:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/11/30/nl-poverty-rates-shea-parsons-1130.html
Liberal Leadership Campaign
Deb Matthews supports Kathleen Wynne for leader:
http://metronews.ca/news/toronto/457992/deb-matthews-jolts-liberal-race-by-endorsing-wynne/
Dwight Duncan lays the fiscal reality on the line for candidates:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1297133–cohn-finance-minister-dwight-duncan-has-warning-for-next-ontario-liberal-leader
The race has tripled Liberal memberships:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1292687–ontario-liberal-leadership-race-to-replace-mcguinty-has-tripled-grit-ranks
Other Ontario Issues
Watch my recent webinar on the final report of the Social Assistance Review Commission:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/webinar/85668
Ontarians with Disabilities Hit the Hardest by Government Cuts: OFL Statement for International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2012
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/ontarians-with-disabilities-hit-hardest-government-cuts-ofl-statement-international-1732981.htm
Why Hudak’s “pension envy” approach is all wrong:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1294730–cohn-stoking-pension-envy-a-poison-pill-for-politicians
Around the Province
Get involved in advocacy around the City of Toronto’s 2013 budget:
http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/category/city_budget_2013/
Housing takes a big hit in Toronto’s draft budget:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/publiceditor/article/1296458–affordable-housing-takes-huge-hit-in-draft-2013-city-budget
What does poverty outside the city look like? People in Grey Bruce say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVcSx1MATyM&feature=youtu.be
Diane Dyson of Toronto’s Woodgreen blogs about poverty solutions:
http://imagineacity.ca/2012/11/26/the-answer-to-poverty-isnt-simple/
Across the Country
New study from CCPA-BC shows most British Columbians support higher taxes:
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/bc-tax-opinion
Groups in Nova Scotia urge government to crack down on tax havens:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/business/190715-advocacy-group-wants-ottawa-to-curb-tax-havens
Federal / National
Canada drops in index that ranks countries’ access to justice:
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1294170–canada-drops-in-worldwide-justice-index
EI appeals taking too long – new Social Security Tribunal reduces access to justice:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ei-appeals-taking-too-long-to-be-heard-documents-reveal/article5949630/?cmpid=rss1
Ed Broadbent reminds us that inequality is not everybody else’s problem:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/inequalitys-a-problem-for-canada-too/article5743181/
NDP says feds exhibit “arrogance bordering on stupidity” on omnibus budget:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/03/bill-c-45-omnibus-budget-bill_n_2232007.html
Canada among “best” places for corporate taxes:
http://business.financialpost.com/2012/12/03/canada-ranks-among-worlds-best-places-for-corporate-taxes/
Ottawa introduces bill to keep more mentally ill offenders behind bars:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ottawa+introduce+bill+keep+more+mentally+offenders+behind/7596524/story.html
International
Warren Buffett (yeah, “the” Warren Buffett) on minimum taxes on the wealthy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/opinion/buffett-a-minimum-tax-for-the-wealthy.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
Fast food workers in NYC rally for higher wages:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/nyregion/fast-food-workers-in-new-york-city-rally-for-higher-wages.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
UK study shows why it’s expensive being poor:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/sean-omeara/expensive-being-poor-poverty_b_2177673.html
UK MPPs attack Amazon, Google and Starbucks over tax avoidance:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/dec/03/amazon-google-starbucks-tax-avoidance