Media & Policy News: 17 March 2017

Top Stories

Ontario housing minister vows to boost rent control after CBC Toronto tenancy series:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/housing-minister-rent-control-1.4028692

• NDP proposes bill to expand rent controls to all buildings:
  https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/03/16/ndp-proposes-bill-to-expand-rent-controls-to-all-buildings.html
• Ontario developing plan to control unfair hikes in rent: http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/03/16/rent-control-province-1991-law.html
• Housing minister says rent control will expand: https://www.pressreader.com/canada/metro-canada-toronto/20170317/281535110803496

PEI’s social assistance rates are well below the cost of healthy food:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-groceries-social-assistance-1.4022180

• Food insecurity: Community gardens, subsidized housing not answers – what matters is income: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-food-insecurity-tarasuk-doyle-upei-1.4024797
• Living in poverty, forgotten by governments: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/shawn-pegg/living-in-poverty_b_15334522.html

Ontario Labour Minister speaks to business group, places hopes on Changing Workplaces Review:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2017/03/10/flynn-places-hopes-on-reviews

• Flynn talks changes to Ontario employment law: http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/the-next-ontario/labour-minister-kevin-flynn-talks-changes-to-ontario-employment-law
• Ontario Federation of Labour holds special women’s briefing: Women need decent work: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ontario-federation-of-labour-holds-special-womens-briefing-women-need-decent-work-2201617.htm
• Bosses who broke the law haven’t learned their lesson, labour ministry blitz finds:
  https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/15/bosses-who-broke-law-havent-learned-their-lesson-labour-ministry-blitz-finds.html

To end homelessness, prevent it from happening in the first place (including increasing social assistance incomes):
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/03/13/End-Homelessness/

• Rental housing squeeze leaving racialized renters out in the cold in the GTA: https://nowtoronto.com/news/rental-housing-squeeze-is-leaving-racialized-renters-out-in-/

Come early: Toronto’s homeless struggle for place to sleep in freezing winter:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/out-of-the-cold-1.4027278

• Video: Bursting at the Seams – Toronto’s shelter system:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnfNstiArQo&feature=share

Child care talks reignite with looming budget: http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/7194521-child-care-talks-reignite-with-looming-budget/

• Ottawa may offer more child care breaks in upcoming budget:
  http://www.news1130.com/2017/03/13/ottawa-may-offer-child-care-breaks/
• Editorial: Increase funding for a national child care program: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/03/16/increase-funding-for-a-national-child-care-program-editorial.html

Canadians deserve to know why KPMG tax dodgers were let off easy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dennis-howlett/kpmg-tax-fraud-isle-of-man_b_15267920.html

• Tax court judge recuses himself from KPMG-linked trial after CBC revelations: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/tax-judge-kpmg-madrid-1.4023995

Editorial: Ottawa should end unfair and ineffective tax breaks:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/03/10/ottawa-should-end-unfair-and-ineffective-tax-breaks-editorial.html

• When will the Liberals clean up the income tax code? Try ‘never’: http://ipolitics.ca/2017/03/10/when-will-the-liberals-clean-up-the-tax-code-try-never/

Liberals should consider overhaul of EI parental leave benefits: Study:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/study-urges-liberals-to-overhaul-parental-leave-benefits/article34308782/

• Here’s the study report: http://irpp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/study-no63.pdf?mc_cid=ffe0d9b83b&mc_eid=93c40f0305

Migrant dreams can be nightmares:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/migrant-dreams-can-be-nightmares-415841974.html

Household debt hits another record in Canada:
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/household-debt-hits-another-record-in-canada-1.3326080

Tribunal can’t enforce Indigenous child welfare ruling, Ottawa says:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tribunal-cant-enforce-indigenous-child-welfare-ruling-ottawa-says/article34317817/

Many people with disabilities unaware they’re eligible for tax credit, MP says:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/north-island-disabilites-tax-credit-rachel-blaney-1.4026997

Federal prosecutors defend use of cruel and unusual punishment in mandatory victim surcharge case:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/federal-prosecutors-defend-use-of-cruel-unusual-punishment/article34335236/

First federal poverty reduction strategy case study complete in Saint John:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-concludes-first-case-study-visit-for-tackling-poverty-together-project-in-saint-john-new-brunswick-616124624.html

 

Ontario

Ontario’s basic income pilot project gets strong support; commenters want income and services:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/16/pilot-project-to-introduce-a-basic-income-in-ontario-gets-strong-public-support.html

Government poll shows support for hydro rate cut, but concern over long-term cost:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/03/14/premier-kathleen-wynne-brushes-aside-cynicism-over-hydro-rate-cut.html

• Mike Schreiner: Liberals’ hydro shell game is an expensive band-aid: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/mike-schreiner/liberals-hydro-shell-game_b_15248272.html
• Sault area hospital hydro bill up nearly $1 million, forcing layoffs: http://saultonline.com/2017/03/sault-area-hospital-hydro-bill-up-nearly-1m-forcing-layoffs/
• Ontario cutting hydro rates for First Nations:
  http://www.torontosun.com/2017/03/15/ontario-cutting-hydro-rates-for-first-nations

Ontario nursing homes feed seniors on $8.33 a day:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/03/10/ontario-nursing-homes-feed-seniors-on-833-a-day.html

Judges “100% opposed” to paralegals in family courts:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/03/14/paralegals-in-family-courts-not-the-solution-toronto-judge-says.html

 

Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things

Canadians for Public Justice: Towards a Guaranteed Livable Income:
https://cpj.ca/GLI

New edition of “Rent Increases” available online and in print:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/new-edition-rent-increases-now-available-online-and-print

New edition of “Taking time off work: Pregnancy and parental leaves and benefits” available:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/new-edition-taking-time-work-pregnancy-and-parental-leaves-and-benefits

Course offering in Toronto and Ottawa: Richard Shillington: Statistical Tools for Policy Analysis:
http://www.shillington.ca/Policy_Course/Flyer_March_2017.pdf

Free public legal education workshops at HALCO in April / May 2017:
http://www.halco.org/2017/news/free-public-legal-education-workshops-at-halco-in-april-and-may-2017

Landlord and Tenant Board: 2017 Rent Increase Guideline:
http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/documents/ltb/Brochures/2017%20Rent%20Increase%20Guideline%20(EN).html

2017 Region of Peel tax preparation clinics:
http://peelregion.ca/social-services/peel-taxpreparation-clinics.htm

StatsCan Daily: Aboriginal people and the labour market:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170316/dq170316d-eng.htm

Government of Canada launches joint initiative for online benefit information:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/government-canada-launches-new-joint-initiative-help-canadians-access-their-benefit-2201220.htm

• New online tax and benefits portal: http://www.tax-news.com/news/Canada_Launches_New_Online_Tax_Benefits_Portal____73667.html

 

Around the Province

Brockville meeting to collect input on poverty reduction strategy:
http://www.insidebrockville.com/news-story/7183762-brockville-meeting-to-collect-input-on-poverty-reduction-strategy/

A win for the workers in Chatham-Kent:
http://chathamvoice.com/2017/03/08/a-win-for-the-workers/

Four names added to Toronto’s homeless memorial:
http://torontoist.com/2017/03/four-names-added-torontos-homeless-memorial/

Toronto Community Housing buildings have “unique challenges” as 4 fires in past 6 weeks being probed:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/four-fires-toronto-community-housing-buildings-investigations-1.4026522

Eviction by another name: Tenants upset about rent increases by Parkdale landlord:
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/eviction-another-name-tenants-protest-132032548.html

Mayor tells Ontario’s finance minister Toronto needs increased transit and housing funding:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3307682/tory-tells-ontarios-finance-minister-toronto-needs-increased-transit-housing-funding/

Thunder Bay lawyer’s focus on social justice earns Law Society’s highest honour:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/thunder-bay/sally-colquhoun-award-1.4024958

 

Across the Country

BC Housing Minister says there’s no fix for rent-hike loophole yet:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-housing-minister-says-theres-no-fix-for-rent-hike-loophole-yet/article34318028/

• People who are homeless in Kelowna, BC, upset over having to pay fines to recover personal items:
  https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/17/03/12/Sidewalk_bylaw_sees_personal_items_confiscated/
• Poverty in Cranbrook, BC: A story of social potholes:
  http://www.e-know.ca/regions/cranbrook/poverty-cranbrook-story-social-potholes/
• Petition for $15 per hour minimum wage delivered to BC legislature: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/petition-for-15-per-hour-minimum-wage-delivered-to-b-c-legislature-1.4026605

Albertans think high-income earners, corporations not paying enough tax: poll:
http://www.parklandinstitute.ca/media_albertans_think_high_income_earners_corporations_not_paying_enough_tax_poll

Fighting Saskatchewan’s deficit on the backs of low paid cleaners a sad story:
http://leaderpost.com/opinion/columnists/fighting-deficit-on-the-backs-of-cleaners-a-sad-story

First Nations students learn to build tiny homes in Saskatchewan:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3305131/from-start-to-finish-first-nation-students-learn-to-build-tiny-homes/

Quebec grocery stores first in Canada to send unused produce to food banks:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3302074/quebec-grocery-stores-first-in-canada-to-send-unused-produce-to-food-banks/?sf61579328=1

Small deeds, big projects: Tackling Saint John poverty:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/sandwiches-and-strategy-1.4027608

 

National

PEI woman says help should be there for those on Employment Insurance:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/news/local/2017/3/11/p-e-i–woman-says-help-should-be-there-for-those-trying-to-bette.html

How much does it cost to raise a kid in Canada? Experts can’t seem to agree:
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-raise-a-kid-in-canada-experts-cant-seem-to-agree-153155138.html

Canada’s unemployment rate falls to 6.6%, the lowest level in more than 2 years:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/03/10/canada-adds-15300-jobs-in-february-unemployment-rate-falls-to-66.html

Details of Canada’s pension reform changes:
http://www.ai-cio.com/channel/NEWSMAKERS/Canada-Enacts-Pension-Reform-Changes/

Broadbent: Time to renew social democracy:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/03/13/time-to-renew-social-democracy-broadbent.html

Phoenix Generation: Situation not improving for public servants:
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/phoenix-generation-160000716.html

Consumer watchdog launches bank review in wake of CBC stories:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/fcac-bank-review-1.4025864

 

International

Cashless welfare card in Australia made life worse, half of trial participants say:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/mar/14/cashless-welfare-card-made-life-worse-say-half-of-trial-participants

• Here’s the truth about the “free ride” some Australians think Indigenous peoples get:
  http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/culture/article/2016/12/07/heres-truth-about-free-ride-some-australians-think-indigenous-peoples-get
• Proposed welfare cuts would hurt poor families: http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/welfare-cuts-would-hurt-poor-families/news-story/2169f14c9108c5971ce4256d29f2ddb7
• Government may cut losses on welfare reforms: http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/govt-may-cut-losses-on-welfare-reforms/news-story/7d96317646dc26d6bd6374a7ebbae7a6

Eight Basic Income experiments to watch for in 2017:
http://uk.businessinsider.com/basic-income-experiments-in-2017-2017-1

• The key criticisms of basic income and how to overcome them:
  https://www.opendemocracy.net/neweconomics/the-key-criticisms-of-basic-income-and-how-to-overcome-them/

Broken America: Famed war photographer turns his camera on racism, poverty and violence in the USA:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4306110/Photographer-turns-camera-racism-poverty-US.html

• Spent: An online game that showcases the experience of poverty, in the US context:
  http://playspent.org/html/
• Study: Improving healthcare outcomes in Houston: How social interventions can help:
  https://blogs.bcm.edu/2017/03/14/improving-healthcare-outcomes-social-interventions-can-help/

If you’re a poor person in America, Trump’s budget is not for you:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/16/if-youre-a-poor-person-in-america-trumps-budget-is-not-for-you/

• Trump’s budget would kill a program that feeds 2.4 million senior citizens: https://time.com/money/4703456/trump-budget-meals-on-wheels/
• Legal services in unprecedented danger under Trump’s budget proposal: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/mar/16/legal-aid-services-cut-trump-budget-proposal

Emboldened by Trump, minimum wage-hike opponents fight back:
http://prospect.org/article/emboldened-trump-minimum-wage-hike-opponents-fight-back

• “Labour surcharge” being added to restaurant bills in some US states with minimum wage hikes:
  http://fox21news.com/2017/03/12/dining-out-expect-labor-surcharges-on-your-next-bill/
• Some diners furious about labour surcharges: http://www.businessinsider.com/restaurants-add-minimum-wage-surcharge-2017-3
• The latest “underhanded maneuvers” in the minimum wage wars: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/10/minimum-wage-foes-find-new-ways-to-fight-increases-commentary.html
• We’re Somalia business owners in Minneapolis. We back a $15 minimum wage. Here’s why: http://m.startribune.com/we-re-somali-business-owners-in-minneapolis-we-back-a-15-minimum-wage-here-s-why/416279104/?section=opinion
• How hard is your server working to earn minimum wage?: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/tipping-workers-minimum-wage/

UK unemployment is as low as 1975 – but why aren’t wages rising?
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/mar/15/uk-unemployment-wages-pay-growth

• UK cosmetics firm Lush to pay all staff the Living Wage:
  http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/high-street-cosmetics-firm-lush-10013449
• The National Minimum Wage and Living Wage are going up so you could be in for a pay raise: http://www.cornwalllive.com/the-national-minimum-wage-and-living-wage-are-going-up-so-you-could-be-in-for-a-pay-rise/story-30201588-detail/story.html
• Child poverty in UK at highest level since 2010, official figures show:
  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/16/child-poverty-in-uk-at-highest-level-since-2010-official-figures-show
• UK government welfare experts slam ministers for denying disability benefits to 160,000 people:
  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-welfare-experts-pip-disability-benefits-deny-160000-mental-health-ill-dwp-work-and-a7631656.html

New Zealand’s neoliberal drift:
https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/03/new-zealand-neoliberalism-inequality-welfare-state-tax-haven/

South Africans march over looming welfare payment crisis:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4301242/S-Africans-march-looming-welfare-payment-crisis.html