Ed. note: Apologies – IT problems prevented getting this out earlier. More catch up to come next week.
Top Stories
Pain and suffering compensation exemption levels raised for Ontario Works and ODSP recipients:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/exemption-levels-raised-for-ontario-works
- Government release: Ontario helping social assistance recipients get ahead: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2017/08/ontario-helping-social-assistance-recipients-get-ahead.html
Province hiring hydro welfare team in North Bay:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/29/province-hiring-hydro-welfare-team-in-north-bay
How prejudice pushes low-income people onto an unhealthy diet:
https://theconversation.com/how-prejudice-pushes-low-income-people-onto-an-unhealthy-diet-81936?platform=hootsuite
Study links hunger in residential schools to Indigenous health problems today:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/15/study-links-hunger-in-residential-schools-to-indigenous-health-problems-today.html
- Residential school survivor remembers hunger that never went away: http://aptnnews.ca/2017/08/16/residential-school-survivor-remembers-hunger-that-never-went-away/
CCPA report shows Ontario’s labour market is doing no favours for low-income families:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/14/labour-market-doing-no-favours-for-low-income-families-report.html
- CBC: Poor Ontario families getting poorer: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/toronto/income-inequality-report-ccpa-1.4246874
- Huffington Post: Minimum wage hike needed as half of Ontarians see wages shrink: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/08/15/minimum-wage-hike-needed-as-half-of-ontarians-see-wages-shrink_a_23078367/
- Here’s the report: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/losing-ground
- Yes, Mr. Weston, you can afford a living wage: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7500563-yes-mr-weston-you-can-afford-a-living-wage/#.WZGS2WN3K6l.facebook
- Ontario minimum wage hike will cost Metro $50M next year, grocer says: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/minimum-wage-metro-1.4247721
- Metro grocery chain looking at automation to offset higher Ontario minimum wage: https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/08/15/metro-grocery-chain-looking-at-automation-to-offset-higher-ontario-minimum-wage.html
- Business lobbyists release report damning $15 minimum wage, while critics raise eyebrows: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bill-148-analysis-critics-1.4246428
- Business coalition sounds alarm over Ontario’s minimum-wage hike: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/14/business-coalition-sounds-alarm-over-ontarios-minimum-wage-hike.html
- Star editorial: The economic case for a higher minimum wage: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/07/29/the-economic-case-for-a-higher-minimum-wage-editorial.html
- The hypocrisy of opposing a minimum wage hike: Coren: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/10/the-hypocrisy-of-opposing-a-minimum-wage-hike-coren.html
- Minimum wage concerns haven’t born out historically: Research institute: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/17/minimum-wage-concerns-havent-borne-out-historically-research-institute-says.html
Parkdale rent strike over repairs, above-guideline increases ends with tenants declaring victory:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/12/parkdale-rent-strike-over-repairs-above-guideline-increases-ends-with-tenants-declaring-victory.html
- Statement of the Rent Strikers’ Negotiating Committee: http://parkdaleorganize.ca/2017/08/03/parkdale-rent-strike-ends-in-victory/
- Fighting bad landlords: Tenants network in Hamilton pushing renters to organize: https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7500061-fighting-bad-landlords-tenants-network-pushing-renters-to-organize/
- 5 lessons for tenants from the successful Parkdale rent strike: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/14/5-lessons-for-tenants-from-the-successful-parkdale-rent-strike.html
Canada’s record on racial discrimination under scrutiny at UN:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-racial-discrimination-un-1.4244297
- NGOs tell UN panel Canada is failing on ending racism: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/14/ngos-tell-un-panel-canada-is-failing-on-racism-paradkar.html
BC NDP follow through with promise, raise BC welfare, disability rates:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/ndp-follow-through-with-promise-to-raise-b-c-welfare-disability-rates
“Hey brother, could you spare a quarter?” A Hamilton panhandler fights the law:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hey-brother-could-you-spare-a-quarter-a-hamilton-panhandler-fights-the-law-1.4232155?cmp=rss
School fundraising report says amounts raised far outpace government grants for needy areas:
https://www.thestar.com/amp/news/queenspark/2017/08/14/school-fundraising-report-says-amounts-raised-far-outpace-that-of-grants-for-needy-areas.html
- Here’s the report: http://www.etfo.ca/AboutETFO/MediaRoom/MediaReleases/Pages/ETFO%20issues%20seven%20recommendations%20to%20fix%20Ontarios%20Education%20Funding%20Formula.aspx
Torjman: Canada’s “welfare wall” traps people with disabilities:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sherri-torjman/canadas-welfare-wall-traps-people-with-disabilities_a_23049558/
New study suggests link between foster care system and youth homelessness:
http://aptnnews.ca/2017/08/09/new-study-suggests-link-between-foster-care-system-and-youth-homelessness/
Alberta action on First Nations child welfare funding shortfall could set national example:
http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/alberta-action-on-first-nations-child-welfare-funding-shortfall-could-be-setting-national-example/wcm/fac65fad-151a-4a61-b82c-0104bd4a1263
Baloney Meter: How deep does the Canada Child Benefit cut poverty rates?:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/baloney-meter-how-deep-does-the-canada-child-benefit-cut-child-poverty-rates/wcm/afa2fda9-1add-459c-95a8-f782cabe8e21
Canada’s economic growth blows past expectations:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/canada-s-economic-growth-blows-past-expectations-1.3522751
Toronto activist Bonnie Briggs worked tirelessly against homelessness:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7490713-toronto-activist-bonnie-briggs-worked-tirelessly-against-homelessness/
Nick Volk was a housing champion for people in need in Toronto:
https://www.catholicregister.org/item/25898-nick-volk-was-a-housing-champion-for-people-in-need
Ontario
Province’s child care affordability study to be led by U of T prof:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/20/provinces-child-care-affordability-study-to-be-led-by-u-of-t-prof.html
Some value in using tax system for basic income: Report:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/20/value-in-using-tax-system-for-basic-income-report
Star editorial: On accessibility, Ontario needs less secrecy, more action:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/08/06/on-accessibility-ontario-needs-less-secrecy-more-action-editorial.html
Ontarians pay highest rates in Canada for hydro, study shows:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-hydro-fraser-institute-study-1.4212668
Ontario Indigenous children agreement hailed as step towards self-governance:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/16/ontario-indigenous-education-agreement-hailed-as-step-towards-self-governance.html
- Government release: Ontario and Anishinabek Nation sign historic education agreement:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2017/08/ontario-and-anishinabek-nation-sign-historic-education-agreement.html
Ontario’s books still balanced despite increased spending, Sousa says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/11/ontarios-books-still-balanced-despite-increased-spending-sousa-says.html
- Government release: Ontario releases 2017-2018 first quarter finances: https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2017/08/ontario-releases-2017-18-first-quarter-finances.html
Peter Milczyn becomes Minister of Housing and Poverty Reduction (and Basic Income), as Chris Ballard takes over Environment and Climate Change: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/07/chris-ballard-ontarios-new-minister-of-the-environment-and-climate-change.html
- Environment Minister Glen Murray quits politics for “dream job” at Pembina Institute:
http://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/07/31/news/ontario-minister-glen-murray-quits-politics-dream-job
Government release: Ontario adds 25,500 jobs in July:
https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2017/08/ontario-adds-25500-jobs-in-july.html
Government release: Ontario helping skilled workers train for green jobs:
https://news.ontario.ca/maesd/en/2017/08/ontario-helping-skilled-workers-train-for-green-jobs.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
August 22: Basic Information Session – Thunder Bay:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/basic-income-information-session-thunder-bay-tickets-36522794662
August 23: Webinar – New OINP Permanent Residence program for farm workers and low-skilled construction positions:
http://www.lmlawgroup.com/news/2017/8/16/oinp-low-skilled-workers
August 24: Basic Income Information Session – Brantford:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/basic-income-information-session-brantford-tickets-36522825755
August 28: Basic Income Information Session – Hamilton:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/basic-income-information-session-hamilton-tickets-36522866878
Sept 21: A Rights-Based Approach to Poverty Elimination – Halton:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-rights-based-approach-to-poverty-elimination-tickets-36280608276
CLEO’s On the Radar: News about rent increases in Ontario:
http://mailchi.mp/cleo/on-the-radar-news-about-rent-increases-1028865?e=63ebc9e633
Stats Can Study: Low income among persons with a disability in Canada, 2014:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170811/dq170811a-eng.htm
Stats Can: Labour Force Survey, July 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170804/dq170804a-eng.htm
Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, May 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170727/dq170727a-eng.htm
Stats Can: Consumer Price Index, July 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170818/dq170818a-eng.htm
Stats Can: Families, households and marital status: Key results from the 2016 Census:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170802/dq170802a-eng.htm
- Canada has more same-sex couples, one person households: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/02/canada-has-more-same-sex-couples-one-person-households-census-shows.html
- Canadians speaking more languages than ever before, Tagalog fastest-growing mother tongue: http://globalnews.ca/news/3641721/census-canada-languages/
- Highlights of Stats Can’s latest 2016 Census release: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/census-family-language-highlights-1.4231841
- Why more of us are living in multigenerational households: http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/why-more-of-us-are-living-in-multigenerational-households/wcm/140778d6-6ccc-41b2-a277-bba209523243
Caledon Institute: A Renewed Voice for Social Canada:
http://www.caledoninst.org/Publications/PDF/1116ENG.pdf
Tamarack: How to develop a common agenda for a collective impact:
https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Resources/Publications/CommonAgendaforCollectiveImpact.pdf
Conference Proceedings: The New Economy and a Basic Income Guarantee, May 29, 2017:
http://www.ryerson.ca/clmr/publications/2017_05_29/
Government of Canada: Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children grant:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/parents-murdered-missing-children.html
Homeless Hub newsletters:
http://mailchi.mp/edu/costs-managing-homelessness-too-high?e=6da7d6f883 http://mailchi.mp/edu/costs-managing-homelessness-too-high-2883309?e=6da7d6f883
City of Toronto Public Consultation on Vacant Homes Tax:
https://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=e40bee998c7cd510VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD
Around the Province
Program for chronic homelessness gets boost from City of London:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-chronic-homeless-1.4246842
Sudbury votes to fund OW and ODSP discretionary benefits not covered by the province:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/13/city-votes-to-maintain-ow-odsp-benefits
Vale looking at layoffs in Sudbury:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/08/12/vale-looking-at-layoffs-in-sudbury
Thunder Bay legal clinic aims to help people who don’t officially exist:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/id-clinic-thunder-bay-1.4231239
Chalmers Community Services Centre finds downtown Guelph home:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/chalmers-centre-peter-gill-guelph-1.4249786
Harm reduction workers urge opening of safe spaces in Toronto:
http://www.cp24.com/news/harm-reduction-workers-urge-opening-of-safe-spaces-in-toronto-1.3542358
- Toronto’s first safe injection site, a tent in Moss Park, unofficial – but welcome: http://nationalpost.com/news/toronto-opens-first-safe-injection-site/wcm/70c8adce-1626-44d3-a664-d2d8ba296ddc
Retirement home rents in Toronto soar, putting some seniors in limbo:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/06/retirement-home-rents-soar-putting-some-seniors-in-limbo.html
As Toronto rents near Brooklyn-level prices, tenants grow desperate:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/08/02/as-toronto-rents-near-brooklyn-level-prices-tenants-grow-desperate.html
Across the Country
“Stunning scene” as BC family with children sets up make-shift home in the bush due to lack of affordable housing:
http://globalnews.ca/video/3662269/stunning-scene-as-okanagan-family-with-children-sets-up-a-make-shift-home-in-the-bush-due-to-lack-of-affordable-housing
BC to raise minimum wage by 50 cents an hour and promise $15 an hour by 2021:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-to-raise-minimum-wage-by-50-cents-an-hour
- Businesses prepared for minimum wage increase: BC Chamber of Commerce:
https://energeticcity.ca/2017/08/businesses-prepared-for-minimum-wage-increase-bc-chamber-of-commerce/ - Local business owners weigh in on BC minimum wage increase: http://www.eaglevalleynews.com/news/local-business-owners-weigh-in-on-minimum-wage-increase
Alberta is about to be Canada’s fastest growing economy again:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-28/alberta-tops-b-c-to-reclaim-lead-in-canadian-growth-survey
Ten things to know about social assistance in Alberta:
http://calgaryhomeless.com/info/research-blog/ten-things-know-social-assistance-alberta/
Homeless camps pop up in Calgary area; local residents use watchdog group to deal with “problems”:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2017/08/17/homeless-camps-pop-up-in-mckenzie-towne.html?cq_ck=1503010985988
CCPA Manitoba: A Family Living Wage for Manitoba: 2016-17 Update:
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/Manitoba%20Office/2017/06/CCPA-MB%20Living%20Wage%202017%20final.pdf
Mom of terminally ill Nova Scotia boy fights order to repay $31,000 in social assistance:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-community-services-overpayment-child-monaghan-1.4223979
The left is back – and that could change the face of Canadian politics for years to come:
http://www.straight.com/news/946831/left-back-and-could-change-face-canadian-politics-years-come
National
Refugee claimant released after being jailed “for no real reason at all,” judge says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/14/judge-orders-release-of-refugee-claimant-jailed-for-no-real-reason.html
Why social housing units in cities will be hard hit by climate change:
https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mba8b3/why-social-housing-units-in-cities-will-be-hard-hit-by-climate-change
“Tremendous injustice” as migrant workers sent back to Jamaica:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/farm-workers-jamaica-sent-home-1.4223814
Foreign farmworkers in Canada fear deportation if they complain:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/13/world/canada/canada-migrants-temporary-farmworkers-program.html
First Nation questions relationship with Canada following court ruling:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/11/first-nation-questions-relationship-with-canada-following.html
First Nations-owned company receives “up to $60 million” to connect Pikangikum to Ontario power grid:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/pikangikum-power-funding-1.4249804
MMIWG inquiry now reviewing conduct of police officers: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/mmiwg-police-investigations-1.4224318
Improve aboriginal jury representation: Lawyers:
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/201708086337/headline-news/improve-aboriginal-jury-representation-lawyers
Todd: Canada struggling to “absorb” immigrants, internal report says:
http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/douglas-todd-canada-struggling-to-absorb-immigrants-internal-report-says
International
Hotel boom in SeaTac, Washington, unfettered by $15 minimum wage:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/management/hotel-boom-in-seatac-wash-unfettered-by-15-minimum-wage/article35855273/
Increasing minimum wage could decrease “child neglect”, study says:
https://indianapublicradio.org/news/2017/08/increasing-minimum-wage-could-decrease-child-neglect-study-says/
Minnesota minimum wage set to rise with inflation in 2018:
http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-minimum-wage-set-to-rise-with-inflation-in-2018/440945833/
Serious flaws found in study linking higher minimum wage to job losses:
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/flaws-found-study-minimum-wage-job-losses
US corporations pay between 13% and 19% in federal taxes – far less than the 35% statutory rate:
https://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2017/08/10/corporations-pay-between-13-and-19-percent-federal-taxes-far-less-35-percent
These are the countries that pay the highest taxes in Europe:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/08/these-are-the-countries-that-pay-the-highest-taxes-in-europe
The two most popular critiques of basic income are both wrong:
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/7/20/15821560/basic-income-critiques-cost-work-negative-income-tax
The growing gulf in life expectancy in the UK shows how austerity has deepened inequalities:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/12/growing-gulf-life-expectancy-shows-austerity-deepened-inequalities
Why Finland’s basic income experiment isn’t working:
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/opinion/finland-universal-basic-income.html
UK woman with dementia has disability benefits cut:
http://www.welfareweekly.com/dwp-tells-women-dementia-can-care-removes-benefits/
Thousands of UK workers to receive 2 million back pay after minimum wage investigation:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/thousands-workers-receive-2m-back-13487526
New Zealand advocacy group wants $20 minimum wage:
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/nz-first-wants-20-minimum-wage.html
Why is tax evasion in New Zealand treated more gently than benefit fraud?:
https://e-tangata.co.nz/news/why-is-tax-evasion-treated-more-gently-than-benefit-fraud