Top Stories
CCPA study on Indigenous child poverty finds 60% of First Nations children on reserves live in poverty; Indigenous children twice as likely to live in poverty as non-aboriginal children:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/study-finds-60-per-cent-of-first-nations-children-on-reserves-live-in-poverty/article30058247/
- Here’s the report: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/shameful-neglect
- Poverty rates speak to suffering and emotional turmoil in communities: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/poverty-rates-speak-to–suffering-and-emotional-turmoil-in-communities-leaders-379858961.html
- Indigenous child poverty: Act now or risk another lost generation: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/first-nation-children-poverty-1.3586000
- First Nations poverty needs action: leaders: http://www.caledonenterprise.com/news-story/6559125-first-nations-poverty-needs-action-leaders/
- A possible way out of our poverty problem: http://leaderpost.com/opinion/columnists/a-possible-way-out-of-our-poverty-problem
- CCPA Blog: Hidden poverty on reserves revealed: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/05/17/hidden-poverty-on-reserves-revealed/
Migrant worker program “worse than slavery” after injured workers sent home without treatment:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/gopublic/jamaican-farm-worker-sent-home-in-a-casket-1.3577643
- Harvesting Freedom petition to Prime Minister Trudeau: https://harvestingfreedom.org/
- Federal government reviewing temporary foreign worker program: http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/05/16/temporary-foreign-worker-program-under-review/
- Cole: The shame of our disposable workers: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/05/19/the-shame-of-our-disposable-workers.html
- What it means to be brown: Cheap labour, scapegoated Muslims and exploited immigrants, from Canada to Qatar: http://www.salon.com/2016/05/09/what_it_means_to_be_brown_cheap_labor_scapegoated_muslims_and_exploited_immigrants_from_canada_to_qatar/
Ontario Association of Food Banks: What happens when the safety net fails?:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ontario-association-of-food-banks/poverty-moms-safety-net_b_9996642.html
- Is welfare sexist? Provinces cut off benefits if woman’s partner makes too much: https://this.org/2016/05/16/is-welfare-sexist/
- Stapleton and Sarangi: From solitary confinement to “One to Many”: http://metcalffoundation.com/stories/metcalf-stories/solitary-confinement-series/#from-solitary-confinement-to-one-to-many-content
Op-Ed: Health reform in Ontario must include oral health:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/05/18/health-reform-in-ontario-must-include-oral-health.html
- Worth Repeating: Canada in need of widespread dental care reform: http://www.digitaljournal.com/life/health/canada-in-need-of-widespread-dental-care-reform/article/465023
Minister of Immigration John McCallum says Syrian refugee reliance on food banks may be “cultural”:
http://globalnews.ca/news/2708590/refugee-use-of-food-banks-could-be-cultural-says-john-mccallum/
- McCallum says remarks were “insensitive”: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/05/18/syrian-refugees-turn-to-food-banks-immigration-minister-not-overly-concerned.html
The business lobby sets its sights on Canadian pension reform:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/05/16/the-business-lobby-sets-its-sights-on-canadian-pension-reform/
- Make ORPP universal and nationwide, unions tell Queen’s Park: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/make-orpp-universal-and-nationwide-unions-tell-queens-park-81468
- Manufacturing group pushes for delay in ORPP: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/manufacturers-orpp-1.3586281
- Mandatory retirement savings touted as solution to financial demographic challenges: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/mandatory-retirement-savings-touted-as-solution-to-financial-demographic-challenges-81504
- Mintz: Expanded CPP would mean paying more tax: http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/jack-mintz-want-to-pay-more-income-tax-thats-what-the-liberals-expanded-cpp-could-mean
Toronto Star’s representation of people who are homeless condemned; public editor responds:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/public_editor/2016/05/13/homeless-deserve-their-dignity-too-public-editor.html
Will big pension funds and Ottawa partner to build tomorrow’s infrastructure?:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/05/15/will-big-pension-funds-and-ottawa-partner-to-build-tomorrow-s-infrastructure.html
- Corcoran: Beware Justin Trudeau’s new pension-plan socialism: http://business.financialpost.com/fp-comment/terence-corcoran-beware-justin-trudeaus-new-pension-plan-socialism
Early response rate for census “slightly better” than expected:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/early-response-rate-for-census-slightly-better-than-expected-statistics-canada/article30005878/
Ontario
Ontario moving to prepaid cards for people on social assistance who don’t have bank accounts:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/16/ontario-trades-cheques-for-debit-cards-for-disabled-people-on-welfare.html
- Press release: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2016/05/ontario-introduces-reloadable-payment-card-for-social-assistance.html
- Advocates in Niagara express both cautious optimism and strong concerns: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/05/16/odsp-to-swap-cheques-for-cards-3
Ontario introduces inclusionary zoning legislation:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/18/province-to-give-cities-new-affordable-housing-powers.html
- Press release: https://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2016/05/ontario-introduces-legislation-to-encourage-more-affordable-housing.html
Ontario proposing to ban fees for child care wait lists:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2016/05/ontario-proposing-to-ban-fees-for-child-care-wait-lists.html
Proposed provincial elections bill would restrict advocacy during city elections:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/proposed-law-would-restrict-advocacy-during-city-elections/
Column: Wynne’s climate strategy will drive millions into energy poverty:
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/05/16/wynnes-climate-strategy-will-drive-millions-into-energy-poverty
Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy for Education doesn’t address the real problem:
http://www.parrysound.com/opinion-story/6559346-ontario-s-well-being-strategy-doesn-t-address-the-real-problem/
New “Know Your Rights” video from Ontario Ministry of Labour:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/new-educational-video-called-know-your-rights-ministry-labour
“Baby boxes”, a tradition in Finland, now arriving in Ontario homes:
https://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2016/05/13/baby-boxes-a-tradition-in-finland-now-arriving-in-ontario-homes.html
Events, Campaigns, Reports, and Other Good Things
Federal government consultation on Employment Insurance service quality:
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/consultations/ei/service_quality_review.page
June 1: Injured Workers’ Day Rally and March:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1755299884715373/
Take Action on migrant workers’ rights:
http://migrantrights.ca/en/take-action/
Study: Money to low-income families, with no strings attached, gets better outcomes for babies:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/healthy-baby-prenatal-income-benefit-1.3578029
Around the Province
Experts calculating the living wage for London:
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/05/11/expert-body-tallying-up-living-wage-for-london
Windsor transit fare hike hits Affordable Pass Program:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/riders-upset-with-transit-windsor-fare-hike
Discussion on poverty Tuesday brings Hugh Segal to Kingston:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/05/15/discussion-on-poverty
Toronto’s landlord licensing plan faces its first test as tenants rally behind it:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/17/tenants-rally-behind-landlord-licensing-plan.html
Pop-up rabies vaccine clinic calms low-income pet owners’ nerves:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/popup-rabies-vaccine-clinic-calms-low-income-pet-owners-nerves-1.3588066
Across the Country
Human rights complaint filed over BC deducting mom’s EI parental benefits from husband’s disability assistance:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/05/16/Sooke-Human-Rights-Maternity-Complaint/
Calgary wage offers fall below national average as job market dries up:
http://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/calgary-wage-offers-fall-below-national-average-as-job-market-dries-up
BC Premier Christy Clark’s inaction on housing affordability speaks volumes:
http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/christy_clark_housing_affordability
- Economist doubts BC Liberals intend to solve Vancouver housing crisis: http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/05/18/news/economist-doubts-bc-liberals-intend-solve-vancouver-housing-crisis
BC Fed calls for better jobs, poverty reduction:
http://cfjctoday.com/article/525711/bc-federation-labour-calls-better-jobs-poverty-reduction
Migrant workers affected by Fort McMurray fire ask for work permit flexibility:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/139432/fire-harried-alberta-temporary-workers-ask-for-open-permits
- Workers worry about losing life in Canada: http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/migrant-workers-who-fled-wildfire-worry-about-losing-life-in-canada
Proposed bill will give Alberta the lowest payday loan costs in the country:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/proposed-bill-will-give-alberta-lowest-payday-loan-costs-in-country-1.3579822
Ontario’s student aid plan much more generous than New Brunswick’s, despite NB Premier’s claims:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/student-aid-tuition-university-n-b-ontario-1.3582204
Nova Scotia social justice “rebel” challenges status quo:
http://www.cumberlandnewsnow.com/News/Local/2016-05-11/article-4525360/Social-justice-%26lsquo%3Brebel%26rsquo%3B-challenges-status-quo/1
National
Government reaches $45 million pay-equity deal with federal PSAC employees:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/government-and-union-reach-45m-pay-equity-deal
Trash talking: The problem with trying to solve hunger with corporate food waste:
http://cfccanada.ca/news/trash-talking-problem-trying-solve-hunger-corporate-food-waste
Unequal access to extended EI benefits sows confusion in snubbed regions:
http://rabble.ca/news/2016/05/unequal-access-to-extended-ei-benefits-sows-confusion-snubbed-regions
- EI claims flat in March: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ei-claims-march-1.3589677
Minister Duclos statement on International Day of Families:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/statement-by-the-minister-of-families-children-and-social-development-on-the-international-day-of-families-579407091.html
Trudeau promises “full protection” with transgender rights bill:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-transgender-rights-1.3584482
- New bill a good start, but more needs to be done: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/new-bill-just-a-start-to-protect-the-rights-of-transgender-people/article30058266/
Finance Minister Morneau meets for the first time with his hand-picked economic advisory council:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2016/05/16/ottawa-s-economic-advisers-to-meet-with-morneau-cabinet-members-for-first-time.html
International
The Canadian doctor who prescribes income to treat poverty:
https://medium.com/evidencenetwork-ca/the-canadian-doctor-who-prescribes-income-to-treat-poverty-49ebd50c83e9#.ept53k3s5
The basic income experiment that could revolutionize welfare:
http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/wealth/the-basic-income-experiment-that-could-revolutionise-welfare/news-story/44d7a5f1076cc2262a6b44e200374055
Court rejects damages in Indiana vs IBM case over faulty automated welfare system:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/No-damages-in-IBM-welfare-case–judge-rules-12983724
Colorado city to use $1.5 million from pot tax to help people who are homeless:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/colorado-city-to-use-15-million-from-pot-tax-to-help-homeless_us_57337d8ce4b0365741117859?te=Upworthy
San Francisco journalists plan to coordinate a “flood” of coverage of homelessness in June:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/16/us/san-francisco-homelessness.html
“What’s best for our children is not having teachers on welfare”:
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/05/harrisburg_school_district_tea_2.html
Research report: Poverty in America: Growing income inequality, shrinking middle class, declining manufacturing pay:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/poverty-in-america-growing-income-inequality-shrinking-middle-class-declining-manufacturing-pay/5525182
Obama administration extends overtime protections to 4.2 million workers:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/obama-administration-extends-overtime-protections-to-4-2-million-workers/
British government’s “conscious cruelty” toward the poor denounced by Loach film at Cannes:
http://nr.news-republic.com/Web/ArticleWeb.aspx?regionid=4&articleid=64344845
Cashless welfare card in Australia “getting results”:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2106-cashless-welfare-card-getting-results/news-story/92f78e9129547872d85cde30f99ae473
Dark Money: London’s dirty secret:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/1d805534-1185-11e6-839f-2922947098f0.html#axzz48XzEd6wb
Nearly 1 million over-75s living in poverty in the UK, says report:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-36297605
UK tax breaks attacked as “welfare for the wealthy”:
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/d39ed010-1d02-11e6-b286-cddde55ca122.html#axzz49Cr3ZFZG
Damning report finds 1/3 of Brits fell into poverty under David Cameron’s government:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/damning-report-finds-third-brits-7980219
Report: UK kids who grow up in poverty are more at risk of developing cancer:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/children-who-grow-up-poverty-7996249
UK man with half his skull missing declared “fit for work” by Department of Work and Pensions:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/kenny-bailey-dwp_uk_573727fde4b0f0f53e363aa5
Pope: Economy of exclusion, inequality caused growth of poverty:
http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/economy-of-exclusion-inequality-caused-growth-of-poverty-pope-says.cfm