Top Stories
New book aims to teach children about painful history of residential schools:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/childrens-book-residential-schools-1.3933148?cmp=abfb
Two Canadian billionaires are as rich as nearly 1/3 of Canada: Oxfam:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/two-canadian-billionaires-are-as-rich-as-nearly-1-3-of-canada-report-1.3240681
- Oh, Canadian Business clears the record – it’s FIVE Canadian businessmen, not two: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/lists-and-rankings/richest-people/oxfam-canada-inequality-richest-people/
- Globe and Mail coverage: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/report-makes-recommendations-to-achieve-economy-that-works-for-all-canadians/article33629405/
- Rich man, poor man: A closer look at Oxfam’s inequality statistics: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/oxfam-inequity-statistics-1.3937943
- Top eight richest men worth more than half of the world’s population: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/top-eight-richest-men-worth-9629700
- Here is the Oxfam report: “An economy for the 99%”: https://www.oxfam.org/en/research/economy-99
- Forbes Magazine: Extreme wealth does not cause extreme poverty: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2017/01/18/oxfam-is-wrong-to-connect-extreme-wealth-with-extreme-poverty/#a6dbde9407abStar editorial: Trudeau makes a welcome promise on tax:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/01/15/on-tour-justin-trudeau-makes-a-welcome-promise-on-tax-editorial.html - Star editorial: Tackling inequality begins with cracking down on tax havens:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/01/16/tackling-inequality-begins-with-cracking-down-on-tax-havens-editorial.html
Federal Disability Tax Credit not extended to those with mental illness:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/13/disability-tax-credit-not-extended-to-those-with-mental-illness.html
Only half of Canadians with disabilities have a full- or part-time job: CIBC poll:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/only-half-of-disabled-canadians-have-a-full-or-part-time-job-cibc-poll-1.3244080
How Ontario’s welfare system fails those in need:
http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/amdur-how-ontarios-welfare-system-fails-those-in-need
- Kitchener basic income consultation: A guaranteed basic income could be coming to Ontario residents: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/a-guaranteed-basic-income-could-be-coming-to-ontario-residents-1.3241135
- Kitchener consultation: Region won’t request pilot until criteria outlined: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/consultation-basic-guaranteed-income-kitchener-1.3933411
- Kitchener consultation: Basic Guaranteed Income Project holds consultation in Kitchener http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/consultation-basic-guaranteed-income-kitchener-1.3933411
- Oshawa consultation: Ontario floats basic income as a solution to persistent poverty: http://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/7061191-ontario-floats-basic-income-as-a-solution-to-persistent-poverty/
- Basic income talks held in Oshawa: http://oshawaexpress.ca/basic-income-talks-held-in-oshawa/
- Smiths Falls split on basic income project: http://www.recorder.ca/2017/01/12/smiths-falls-split-on-income-project
- Cobourg consultation shows support for basic guaranteed income: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2017/01/15/support-shown-for-basic-guaranteed-income
- Pembroke wants in on basic income pilot project: http://www.nugget.ca/2017/01/18/city-wants-in-on-basic-income
- D’Amato: Minimum income plan could be Ontario Liberals last hope: http://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/7067563-minimum-income-plan-could-be-ontario-liberals-last-hope/
- Finland’s Universal Basic Income pilot – a bait and switch, cautionary tale for proponents on the left: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/01/ubi-finland-centre-party-unemployment-jobs/
Premier pledges more relief on hydro bills:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/01/18/premier-kathleen-wynne-pledges-more-relief-on-hydro-bills.html
Campaigners push Liberals for $15 minimum wage in Ontario:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/15-minimum-wage-ontario-1.3940676
Ontario eyes stronger protections for workers who get sick on the job:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/16/ontario-eyes-stronger-protections-for-workers-who-get-sick-on-the-job.html
Himelfarb and Romanow: We can end homelessness in Canada:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/we-can-end-homelessness-in-canada/article33632029/
Ontario
ISAC’s second pre-budget submission – Investments needed in employment standards enforcement:
https://incomesecurity.org/policy-advocacy/2017-pre-budget-submission-investments-needed-in-employment-standards-enforcement-il-faut-investir-dans-lapplication-des-normes-demploi/
OFL: Budget should commit to building Ontarians up:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/ontario-federation-of-labour-budget-should-commit-to-building-ontarians-up-2189301.htm
Applications for hydro subsidy below expectations:
http://www.theobserver.ca/2017/01/12/applications-for-hydro-subsidy-below-expectations
Natural gas-fired hydro plant and its 11 lost jobs mourned as first victims of Ontario’s cap and trade program:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/natural-gas-fired-hydro-plant-and-its-11-lost-jobs-mourned-as-first-victims-of-ontarios-cap-and-trade-program
Attorney General orders probe of Legal Aid Ontario:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/14/attorney-general-orders-probe-of-legal-aid-ontario-budget.html
Drug users say supervised injection sites address ills of substance abuse:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/13/drug-users-say-safe-injection-sites-address-ills-of-substance-abuse.html
Parents, early-childhood educators in Ottawa offer province suggestions to improve daycare:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/daycare-province-ece-kindergarten-1.3938434
Pain expert says Ontario opioid strategy demonizes people:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ontario-western-university-high-stength-opioid-delist-1.3939068
Government release: New projects with Indigenous partners to tackle poverty across Ontario:
https://news.ontario.ca/prs/en/2017/01/new-projects-with-indigenous-partners-to-tackle-poverty-across-ontario.html
Government release: Ontario supporting 93 community projects across the province:
https://news.ontario.ca/mtc/en/2017/01/ontario-supporting-93-community-projects-across-the-province.html
Government release: Ontario making college and university more affordable for adult learners:
https://news.ontario.ca/maesd/en/2017/01/ontario-making-college-and-university-more-affordable-for-adult-learners.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Steps to Justice: A new, first-of-its-kind website gives Ontarians step-by-step, comprehensive and reliable information about their legal problems:
http://stepstojustice.ca/
- Read the press release here: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/ontario-justice-partners-launch-new-steps-to-justice-website-a-first-of-its-kind-in-the-province-611063045.html
- Watch the promotional video here: https://vimeo.com/199691386
Wellesley Institute: Supportive Housing in Ontario: Estimating the need:
http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/publications/supportive-housing-in-ontario-estimating-the-need/
Launching the Canadian version of the Homelessness Vulnerability Assessment Tool Manual:
http://homelesshub.ca/blog/launching-canadian-version-vulnerability-assessment-tool-vat-manual
Stats Can: Employment Insurance, November 2016:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170118/dq170118a-eng.htm
Smiles 4 Canada program offers free orthodontist services to kids under 14:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/smiles-4-canada-free-orthodontist-care-need-for-patients-braces-1.3940828
- Here’s a link to the program website: http://smiles4canada.yoursmileourspecialty.ca/
CCPA-BC: Long Overdue: Why BC needs a poverty reduction plan:
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/long-overdue
Around the Province
Kenora Chiefs Advisory gets $13 million in funding for life skills program:
http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2017/01/17/kenora-chiefs-advisory-receives-13-million-in-funding-for-life-skills-program
- Government release: Local Poverty Reduction Fund investment in skills development in Kenora: https://news.ontario.ca/prs/en/2017/01/ontario-helping-lift-people-out-of-poverty-in-kenora.html
New pilot project helps people who are homeless in Ottawa overcome the barrier of lost ID:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/identification-project-ottawa-homeless-1.3938102
Hamilton launches new strategy to improve supports for urban Indigenous people:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/city-launches-new-strategy-to-improve-supports-for-urban-indigenous-people-1.3937428
Chatham-Kent average household incomes sixth lowest in Ontario:
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2017/01/18/chatham-kent-average-household-incomes-sixth-lowest-in-ontario
Chatham-Kent health board backs recommendation for subsidized dental care:
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2017/01/18/health-board-backs-recommendation-for-subsidized-dental-care
Sudbury businesses question if labour law changes are necessary:
https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/sudbury/sudbury-businesses-question-if-labour-law-changes-are-necessary-510399
Ontario’s Labour Minister in Sudbury to tout changes to better protect mining workers:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/01/12/labour-minister-touts-mining-changes
OCAP: Toronto Community Housing is boarding up homes as shelters are bursting at the seams:
https://ocaptoronto.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/tchboardinguphomes/
Budget cuts will widen health gaps in Toronto: Wellesley Institute:
http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/healthy-communities/city-budget-cuts-will-widen-health-gaps-in-toronto/
TDSB should be ashamed of how it balances budget: Keenan:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/16/tdsb-should-be-ashamed-of-how-it-balances-budget-keenan.html
Across the Country
Disability payments should be boosted in next BC budget, advocates and experts say:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/disability-payments-should-be-boosted-in-next-b-c-budget-advocates-and-experts-say
B.C. needs an official poverty reduction plan, critics say:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-poverty-reduction-plan-1.3933706
BC organizations calling for minimum wage of $15:
https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/17/01/12/B_C_organizations_calling_for_minimum_wage_of_15/
UNICEF Canada CEO speaks in Vancouver about high child poverty weeks before provincial budget:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/unicef-canada-ceo-speaks-in-vancouver-about-high-child-poverty-weeks-before-provincial-budget
More people unemployed in Saskatchewan, Stats Can says:
http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/more-people-unemployed-in-saskatchewan-statistics-canada-says
Latest Employment Insurance numbers show continued tough trend in Alberta:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/statistics-canada-alberta-employment-insurance-november-1.3941965
Quebec’s minimum wage will rise to $11.25 on May 1:
http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/quebec-s-minimum-wage-will-rise-to-11-25-on-may-1-1.3247801
Brother of a man who was homeless in Montreal left with tangle of confusion after his violent death:
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/homeless-mans-brother-finds-tangle-of-confusion-after-death
Special Diet payments part of Nova Scotia department’s program review, says minister:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1431637-special-diet-payments-part-of-nova-scotia-department%E2%80%99s-program-review-minister
New Brunswick’s minimum wage to be tied to inflation starting in 2018:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-minimum-wage-1.3932426
National
Trudeau confronted by emotional Ontario woman upset over cost of hydro bill;
http://globalnews.ca/news/3179769/justin-trudeau-confronted-by-sobbing-ontario-woman-over-cost-of-hydro-bill/
- Woman who blasted Trudeau gets online threats: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/01/15/woman-who-blasted-trudeau-gets-online-threats#
Trudeau gets an earful from veteran, chiefs, disabled participant in London, ON:
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/trudeau-gets-an-earful-from-veteran-chiefs-disabled-participant-in-london-ont/ar-AAlRFZN?li=AAadgLE&ocid=spartanntp
Advocates call to stop exploitation of newcomer migrant workers:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/01/12/advocates-call-for-change-for-temporary-workers.html
Feds explore creation of a new housing benefit:
http://www.southwesternontario.ca/news-story/7062499-feds-explore-creation-of-new-housing-benefit/
Why Canadians can’t stop borrowing: Stagnating incomes:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/household-finances/why-canadians-cant-stop-borrowing/article33627676/
Federal government fails on First Nations child health delivery, says advocate:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/federal-government-fails-on-first-nations-child-health-delivery-1.3939792
Common Frontiers: The Canadian government should replace NAFTA or scrap it:
http://psac-sjf.org/canadian-government-should-replace-nafta-or-scrap-it
Internal document raises possibility of “Netflix tax”:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/sales-tax-netflix-bell-rogers-digital-melanie-joly-bill-morneau-internet-1.3937955
Bank of Canada to keep interest rate unchanged in 2017:
http://www.econotimes.com/Bank-of-Canada-to-keep-interest-rate-unchanged-unlikely-to-hike-in-2017-493389
International
More than half of Americans reportedly have less than $1000 to their name:
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a41147/half-of-americans-less-than-1000/
Press release: Does Betsy Devos understand impact of poverty and trauma on children’s learning?:
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/01/14/does-betsy-devos-understand-impact-poverty-and-trauma-childrens-learning
Massachusetts legislature to consider five anti-poverty bills:
http://wwlp.com/2017/01/19/legislature-to-consider-5-anti-poverty-bills/
Opinion: Why 21 states are wrong about minimum wage hikes:
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/18/minimum-wage-hikes-unintended-consequences-commentary.html
- Montana committee kills minimum wage increase: http://helenair.com/news/politics/state/committee-kills-minimum-wage-increase/article_241759db-6b00-5f8c-b1f5-f3ad8fb563b1.html
- Missouri Supreme Court orders Kansas City to put higher minimum wage on the ballot: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article127021059.html
- San Diego Minimum-wage increase imposed by will of voters: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/sd-utbg-minimum-wage-sandiego-20170112-story.html
Expanded tax credit would keep more working Americans from poverty:
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/local-view/4199539-local-view-expanded-tax-credit-would-keep-more-working-americans-poverty
Japan’s rising child poverty exposes true cost of two decades of economic decline:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/17/japans-rising-child-poverty-exposes-truth-behind-two-decades-of-economic-decline
Japanese city officials sorry for offensive welfare team jackets:
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-38677729
Disabled and cold: Sandra is penalised in the UK for being poor. Fuel poverty is harsh:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/19/fuel-poverty-heating-disabled-cold-penalised-energy-tariff
Overwhelmed UK care worker makes emotional please for more than minimum wage:
http://metro.co.uk/2017/01/17/overwhelmed-care-workers-emotional-plea-for-carers-to-get-more-than-minimum-wage-6385592/
Future of Australia’s cashless welfare card remains uncertain after trial:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-16/cashless-welfare-card-future-remains-uncertain-after-trial/8182662
Opinion: Universal basic income is our best weapon against the rising far right:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/universal-basic-income_us_586d0ce3e4b0eb58648b5349
Slow world growth foiling UN plan to end poverty:
http://presstv.ir/Detail/2017/01/17/506636/Slow-world-growth-foiling-UN-plan-to-end-poverty
World is more than 450 years off target from meeting child poverty promise:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-is-more-than-450-years-off-target-from-meeting-child-poverty-promise-300390940.html