Top Stories
Ontario utilities continue to threaten disconnection during winter:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3233433/ontario-utilities-continue-to-threaten-disconnection-during-winter/
- Utility assistance program to double in Bruce-Grey: http://www.thepost.on.ca/2017/02/07/utility-assistance-program-to-double
- Brantford Power under investigation by Ontario Energy Board: http://globalnews.ca/news/3226430/brantford-power-investigated-ontario-energy-board/
New benefits called “game changers” for ending child poverty:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/poverty-low-income-benefits-child-wages-1.3975061
- The Canada Child Benefit is consistent with Basic Income principles:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/2017/2/7/opinion–basic-income-needs-differ.html - Old Age Security indicates federal government already embraces Basic Income model:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/2017/2/8/marie-burge—seniors-connect-to-b-i-g-.html
Ottawa should suspend refugee pact with US, Harvard report says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/02/08/ottawa-should-suspend-refugee-pact-with-us-harvard-report-says.html
- We are not all immigrants here: Kanji: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/02/09/we-are-not-all-immigrants-here-kanji.html
Time to acknowledge hate crimes against Indigenous people as reality, says legal expert:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/aboriginal-hate-crimes-1.3970320
- Government asks judge to postpone ruling in ‘60s Scoop case, outraging plaintiffs: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/02/08/government-attempt-to-stop-60s-scoop-ruling-slammed-as-galling.html
- Ottawa promised millions in new spending on First Nations health – less than 10% made it out the door: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/first-nations-children-health-care-fraction-spending-1.3969042
Ontario invests an additional $140 million in mental health services:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/140-million-ontario-mental-health-1.3972346
- Government release: Ontario providing faster access to mental health services for thousands of people: https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2017/02/ontario-providing-faster-access-to-mental-health-services-for-thousands-of-people.html
Federal government looking for ways to improve job prospects for disabled Canadians, minister says:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/disabilities-employment-legislation-1.3968555
- Canadians with Disabilities Act to focus on employment:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3228515/canadians-with-disabilities-act-to-focus-on-employment-minister/ - Consulting with Canadians on accessibility legislation – you have until February 28 to have your say: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/disability/consultations/accessibility-legislation.html?=undefined#h2.1
Federal government revives Court Challenges program to give funding to groups who take government to court:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-restore-and-expand-court-challenges-program/article33924559/
- New Court Challenges program expanded to include more rights: http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/new-court-challenges-program-expanded-to-include-more-rights-1.3274682?autoPlay=true
First releases from 2016 Census:
- Population size and growth in Canada: Key results from the 2016 Census: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170208/dq170208a-eng.htm
- Immigration fuels Canada’s population growth of 1.7 million in five years: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/02/08/canadas-population-grew-17m-in-5-years.html
- New data collection methods will be watched closely by Statistics Canada: http://globalnews.ca/news/3232012/census-2016-new-data-collection-methods-will-be-watched-closely-by-statistics-canada/
Ontario
Toronto Mayor presses Premier Wynne to address daycare crisis:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/02/06/john-tory-presses-premier-to-address-daycare-crisis.html
Star launches legal challenge to end secrecy in Ontario tribunals:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/02/07/star-launches-legal-challenge-to-end-secrecy-in-ontario-tribunals.html
Ontario announces investments in Indigenous projects in Ontario:
http://www.niagara-news.com/ontario-invests-in-indigenous-projects/
Advocacy Centre for the Elderly offers tips to prevent elder abuse:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/7105868-toronto-s-advocacy-centre-for-the-elderly-offers-tips-to-prevent-abuse/
CD Howe author: We have a lot better ways to relieve poverty than the outdated Guaranteed Minimum Income:
http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/we-have-a-lot-better-ways-to-relieve-poverty-than-the-outdated-guaranteed-minimum-income
Government release: Ontario adds 28,800 jobs in January:
https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2017/02/ontario-adds-28800-jobs-in-january.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
$15 and Fairness: Time to show workers some love!:
http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8e3951a35d48e64f736884ea9&id=7f6eda8171&e=f3bab51a7a
February 15: Have a Heart and Stop the Cuts: Rally for a Fair Toronto City Budget:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1082065165273493/
OPSEU: Understanding Basic Income: A position paper:
https://opseu.org/news/understanding-basic-income-opseu-position-paper
Status of Women Canada: Gender-Based Analysis training tool for public policy makers:
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/gba-acs/course-cours/eng/mod00/mod00_01_01.html
What has caused high electricity prices: Ontario’s Electricity Sector: Privatization and deregulation:
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/01/29/ontarios-electricity-sector-privatization-and-deregulation/
HUMA’s poverty reduction strategies study: Written submissions due March 3, 2017:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/en/HUMA/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=8845428
Stats Can: New housing price index, December 2016:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170209/dq170209a-eng.htm
Around the Province
Ottawa group wants province to top-up low income transit pass:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/02/07/ottawa-group-wants-ontario-government-to-boost-transit-pass-.html
First Nations trade school opens in Thunder Bay:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/first-nations-trade-school-officially-opens-532680
Tenants in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood go on rent strike:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7105084-tenants-at-87-jameson-ave-in-parkdale-go-on-rent-strike
- No repair? No rent: Parkdale residents say they won’t be bullied into paying more: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/toronto-real-estate-parkdale-rent-strike-protest-1.3970664
- Parkdale tenants take to the street to fight rent hike: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/02/08/parkdale-tenants-take-to-the-street-to-fight-rent-hike.html
Working with Frail Elders conference a first for Manitoulin:
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2017/02/08/working-frail-elders-conference-first-manitoulin/
Across the Country
Making a stink: BC welfare rates have “bean” too low, say fundraiser protest planners:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2017/02/06/bc-welfare-rates-bean-too-low-critics-fundraiser-protest.html
Opinion: Human rights, basic needs: BIG difference possible in the lives of people with disabilities in PEI:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/2017/2/9/opinion–human-rights–basic-needs.html
Plan for double-digit Manitoba hydro rate increases worries business owners and poverty advocates:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-hydro-rate-increase-pallister-business-low-income-1.3969221
Why the Saskatchewan government can’t cut its way to growth:
http://leaderpost.com/opinion/columnists/why-the-saskatchewan-government-cant-cut-its-way-to-growth
End Poverty Edmonton holds first event to get started on anti-poverty work:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/02/09/endpovertyedmonton-poverty-numbers-2017-faith-communities-.html
Poverty simulation in Fort Saskatchewan, AB dispels myths:
http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/2017/02/09/poverty-simulation-dispels-myths
Medicine Hat, AB council throws support behind poverty reduction strategy:
http://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2017/02/07/council-throws-support-behind-poverty-reduction-strategy/
Powell River, BC debates recreation program for low-income residents:
http://www.prpeak.com/news/city-of-powell-river-council-debates-recreation-program-1.9716140
Looking poverty in the eye in regional BC:
http://www.rosslandnews.com/news/412937483.html
National
Stable housing critical to success of mental health treatment:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/mental-health-homelessness-housing-first-strategy-wlu-1.3961857
EI system “frustrating” says Cape Breton MP:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/ei-employment-insurance-panel-cuzner-mp-1.3966072
Liberals accused of backing away from EI break after pledge disappears from mandate letter:
http://www.hilltimes.com/2017/02/08/liberals-accused-backing-away-ei-break-pledge-disappears-mandate-letter/95364
Morneau’s growth council calls for higher retirement age:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/morneaus-growth-council-calls-for-higher-retirement-age/article33908384/
When you don’t get the CPP survivor benefit you expect:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/retirement/retire-planning/when-you-dont-get-the-cpp-survivor-benefit-you-expect/article33949647/
CPP managers try to weigh risks of climate change:
http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/canadian-pension-plan-managers-try-to-weigh-risks-of-climate-change
Did a Canadian court just establish a new right to be forgotten online?:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/did-a-canadian-court-just-establish-a-new-right-to-be-forgotten-online/article33915916/
Federal funding for health falls short, new study finds:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-health-funding-provinces-report-1.3968615
International
Housing stress “dire” as elderly Canberra women resort to sleeping in cars:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/housing-stress-dire-as-elderly-canberra-women-resort-to-sleeping-in-cars-20170117-gtt156.html
Australian government moves to cut welfare benefits in order to overhaul childcare benefit:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/08/coalition-faces-uphill-battle-after-linking-childcare-package-to-rejected-welfare-cuts
Disabled child refugees entry to UK suspended by Home Office:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/disabled-child-refugees-uk-suspend-entry-home-office-resettlement-unhcr-united-nations-lord-dubs-a7571451.html
Last year worst for social housing construction in Ireland since 1970s:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/last-year-worst-for-social-housing-construction-since-1970s-1.2968497
Proposed legislation in Rhode Island would allow drug testing for welfare recipients:
http://wpri.com/2017/02/07/bill-would-allow-drug-testing-for-welfare-recipients/
International development projects should look at creating prosperity instead of alleviating poverty:
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/feb/08/obsession-with-ending-poverty-is-where-development-is-going-wrong