Top Stories
Health Quality Ontario report links income inequality to inequities in health risks, care, and outcomes:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-joshua-tepper/poverty-health-risks_b_9739192.html
- Poor people more likely to have shorter lifespans: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/health-quality-ontario-warns-poor-people-more-likely-to-have-shorter-lifespans-1.2866938
- Here’s the report: http://www.hqontario.ca/System-Performance/Specialized-Reports/Health-Equity-Report
Federal government moves to introduce new Canada Child Benefit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/04/18/federal-government-introduces-enhanced-child-benefit-plan_n_9723284.html
- Department of Finance press release: http://www.fin.gc.ca/n16/16-052-eng.asp
- A primer on federal child benefits: http://thestarphoenix.com/business/money/mcbride-a-primer-on-child-benefits
Problems with Disability Tax Credit yet to be fixed; Delay hurting people with disabilities:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxes/tax-time-2016-disability-credit-1.3463755
April 19 was Equal Pay Day in Ontario:
- CCPA report shows the pay gap ladder between men and women gets steeper as incomes rise: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/18/ontarios-gender-pay-gap-ladder-gets-steeper-as-incomes-rise.html
- Here’s the CCPA report: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/every-step-you-take
- Pay Equity Commission / Brock University report shows retail workers are particularly hard hit: https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2016/04/brock-labour-expert-releases-report-on-gender-wage-gap-in-retail/
- More on the latter: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/18/women-in-retail-jobs-hardest-hit-in-by-gender-pay-gap-says-new-report.html
- Here’s that report: https://revolutionizingretail.org/
- Star Editorial: Close the wage gap between men and women: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/04/18/close-the-wage-gap-between-men-and-women-editorial.html
- Tackling the gender pay gap: http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/angellamacewen/tackling_the_gender_pay_gap
- Summary report: Ontario receives public input on Gender Wage Gap Strategy: https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2016/04/ontario-receives-public-input-on-the-gender-wage-gap-strategy.html
The fight for $15 and fairness: Activists say US successes can be replicated in Ontario:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/fight-for-15-minimum-wage-and-fairness/
- Windsor labour and poverty groups campaign in support of $15 minimum wage: http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/local-labour-poverty-groups-campaigning-in-support-of-living-wage
- Why employers are getting away with breaking Canada’s labour laws (with focus on Ontario): http://globalnews.ca/news/2641197/how-employers-are-getting-away-with-breaking-canadas-labour-laws/?sf24474620=1
Court rules doctor’s claim she was fired for not giving a WSIB-friendly medical opinion can proceed:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/04/21/doctor-sues-wsib-employer-after-refusing-to-change-medical-opinion.html
Panama Papers / tax fairness:
- CRA execs treated to soirees amid KPMG probe: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kpmg-canada-revenue-agency-receptions-conferences-1.3540285
- Opposition says Liberals trying to shield revenue minister from KPMG questions: http://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/12/opposition-says-liberals-trying-to-shield-revenue-minister-from-kpmg-questions/
- Tax industry has spent five years hosting parties and receptions with CRA staff: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kpmg-canada-revenue-agency-tax-industry-receptions-1.3536946
- CRA struggling to collect taxes; total uncollected debt soars to $38 billion: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/national/canada+revenue+agency+struggling+collect+taxes+total+uncollected/11858562/story.html
- Panama Papers outrage can make fair taxes possible: http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2016/04/not-rex/not-rex-panama-papers-outrage-can-make-fair-taxes-possible
Canada’s Health Minister “indicates pharmacare is not part of her mandate” and costs are too high:
http://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/13/mps-begin-study-on-pharmacare-warned-of-high-drug-costs/
- Council of Canadians: Liberals veto pharmacare as more Canadians can’t fill prescriptions: http://canadians.org/blog/liberals-veto-national-pharmacare-more-canadians-cant-fill-their-prescriptions
Alberta Federation of Labour says Trans-Pacific Partnership will undermine Canada’s labour market:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/tpp-trans-pacific-partnership-alberta-federation-labour-1.3542898
- New CCPA report: Migrant Workers and the Trans-Pacific Partnership: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/migrant-workers-and-trans-pacific-partnership
Public interest groups propose internet access fund for low-income Canadians and those in remote areas:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/crtc-urged-to-consider-fund-to-improve-internet-access-affordability/article29635503/
- From the hearings: Canadians bring affordability challenge into focus for CRTC commissioners: https://cartt.ca/article/bso-hearing-day-4-individual-canadians-bring-broadband-affordability-challenge-focus
- Bell says CRTC should stay out of issues of affordability: https://cartt.ca/article/bso-hearing-day-7-bell-tells-commission-stay-out-affordability-question-corrected
Evolving technology and less standard work is driving the guaranteed income discussion:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/guaranteed-income-back-in-vogue-1.3539948
(Ed. note: the level of basic income discussed in this article is less than current basic Ontario welfare)
UNICEF head says Canada must do better on caring for its children:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/04/16/canada-must-do-better-on-caring-for-its-children.html
Ontario
Plan to change provincial rental rules prompts fear from advocates of increase in evictions:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rental-changes-1.3546107
Ontario pledges $43 million in retrofits for Toronto social housing buildings:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-invests-retrofits-housing-1.3544761
- Press release: https://news.ontario.ca/mah/en/2016/04/energy-retrofits-coming-to-toronto-social-housing.html
Ontario’s centralized Consultations Directory – find out what they’re consulting on and how to get involved:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultations-directory?_ga=1.106775747.130679407.1433698962
- Ontario’s public engagement strategy: https://www.ontario.ca/page/public-engagement?_ga=1.40201314.130679407.1433698962
Opposition parties slam government for corporate welfare:
http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/6500904-opposition-parties-slam-corporate-welfare/
Events, Campaigns, Reports and Other Good Things
From Praxis Makes Perfect: Resources for Organizers:
https://joshuakahnrussell.wordpress.com/resources-for-activists-and-organizers/
Hill Times / Power & Influence: Top 100 most powerful and influential in politics in 2016:
http://www.hilltimes.com/power-influence
Report coming Monday from legal clinic on exploitation of Chinese workers in GTA restaurants:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/media-advisory-community-legal-clinic-releases-report-on-exploitation-chinese-workers-2117262.htm
Around the Province
Niagara’s new Living Wage set at $17.47, far higher than the minimum wage:
http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/6502902–living-wage-far-higher-than-ontario-s-minimum-wage/
- Here’s the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network’s living wage report: http://media.wix.com/ugd/8ea78d_b1d964379aec4b5abfb899884c7b268a.pdf
- Poverty advocates eye Living Wage: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/04/19/poverty-advocates-eye-living-wage
- Cambridge becomes Ontario’s first municipality to pledge to become a Living Wage Employer: http://vibrantcanada.ca/blogs/tamarack/making-history-cambridge-adopts-living-wage
London Council Committee sends Advisory Panel on Poverty’s report and recommendations to Council:
http://www.640toronto.com/syn/104/86940/city-committee-signs-off-on-poverty-panel-recommendations
Mental health issues affect 1 in 2 Toronto and Hamilton workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/civicaction-mental-health-toronto-hamilton-1.3540757
Hamilton mayor wants to spend $50 million on poverty reduction, $20 million on housing; develop 10-year plan to align services:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/eisenberger-poverty-reduction-1.3544718
Barrie’s jobless rate sees largest month-over-month increase since October:
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/barrie-s-jobless-rate-jumps-in-march-statistics-canada-1.2851115
Sarnia mayor challenges east coast cities to hire people with disabilities:
http://www.theobserver.ca/2016/04/20/mike-bradley-issues-mayors-challenge-during-nl-visit
Ottawa girding for “month 13” in Syrian refugee settlement, when provincial social services become the social safety net:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/city-preparing-for-month-13-in-syrian-refugee-resettlement
Across the Country
Anti-poverty advocates hopeful about PC win in Manitoba:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/anti-poverty-advocates-react-pallister-win-1.3545397
- But PC victory could signal bad news for CPP expansion: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/pc-victory-in-manitoba-could-signal-bad-news-for-cpp-expansion-80138
Taking cue from Ontario, New Brunswick moving to bursaries that ensure tuition is covered for low- and mid-income students:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/free-tuition-coming-this-fall-for-low-to-mid-income-n-b-students-1.2859588
- NB student leader says this is likely the start of a trend: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/free-tuition-in-n-b-ontario-likely-start-of-new-trend-student-leader-1.2862854
- Students in Nova Scotia think their government should do the same: http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2016/04/14/nova-scotia-students-calling-on-province-to-offer-free-tuition.html
- NB’s “free tuition” policy change leaves unanswered questions: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/free-tuition-policy-questions-1.3542233
- Critics say free tuition for low-income students “squeezes the middle class”: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/free-tuition-brunswick-tax-credit-1.3537284
Nova Scotia Minister of Community Services says her department should give short-term aid to working people:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/community-services-joanne-bernard-social-assistance-reform-1.3545504
Newfoundland budget is bad news for those already living in poverty:
http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2016-04-17/article-4500739/Budget-is-bad-news-for-those-already-living-in-poverty,-advocate-says/1
Mayor wants council to “stand up for vulnerable Edmontonians and do what’s right” on housing policy:
http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/i-expect-this-council-to-stand-up-for-vulnerable-edmontonians-and-do-whats-right-mayor-says-of-housing-policy
BC advocates decry lack of poverty reduction plan:
http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/article_f7291e06-06b3-11e6-9267-63dad665ea29.html
BC Disability Caucus calls for end to clawbacks of other income supports from provincial disability benefits:
https://m.facebook.com/notes/bc-disability-caucus/end-the-clawback-of-other-income-supports-from-the-bc-provincial-pwd-disability-/1741421109436526/
- Column: Stop the clawbacks for people on disability benefits: http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/stephen-hume-stop-the-clawbacks-for-people-on-disability-benefits
- “I can’t afford a bus”: Clawback of disability benefits sparks protest: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/i-can-t-afford-a-bus-clawback-of-disability-benefits-sparks-protest-1.2233187
BC woman loses kids then loses housing, due to welfare rules, making getting kids back even harder:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/04/13/Supportive-Housing-Catch-22/
- Dryden creates Aboriginal Homeward Bound program to provide more affordable housing: http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/04/14/Dryden-Single-Parent-Family-Housing/
Child poverty in Cape Breton can be eradicated:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/2016-04-18/article-4500726/Child-poverty-can-be-eradicated/1
Alberta teachers are meeting this week to look into ways of tackling child poverty:
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2016/04/21/conference-focused-on-child-poverty
University of Ottawa students design sustainable farming project to help tackle food security issues in Nunavut:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2016/04/19/university-of-ottawa-students-tackle-nunavut-food-security.html
National
Report: Indigenous children make up nearly half of Canadian children in foster care:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/indigenous-kids-made-up-almost-half-of-canadian-foster-children-in-2011statscan/article29616843/
Should other provinces join the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan?:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/have-your-say-should-other-provinces-join-the-orpp-79986
Liberals reaffirm pledge to slash wait times at EI call centres: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-reaffirm-pledge-to-slash-wait-times-at-ei-call-centres/article29683696/
- Unemployment benefits up in February, lifted by Alberta and Saskatchewan: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2016/4/21/Unemployment-benefits-up-in-February-lifted-by-Alberta-and-Saskatchewan.aspx
- Great American Insurance announces supplemental coverage to EI benefits in BC: http://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/great-american-offers-supplemental-employment-insurance-british-columbia-bfl-1004089058/
Fathers may soon get their own parental leave:
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/04/20/fathers-may-soon-get-their-own-parental-leave/
Canada is mistreating migrant workers; Rex Murphy should direct some outrage here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/syed-hussan/canada-mistreating-migrant-workers_b_9711144.html
International
Researchers examine the “wealth effect” of investing in infrastructure in poorer urban areas:
http://www.sciencecodex.com/researchers_find_a_fast_road_out_of_poverty-180517
One in 7 people in Ireland are living in poverty:
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/750000-are-now-living-in-poverty-265582.html
UK’s George Osborne calls for global blacklist of tax havens after Panama Papers:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/15/george-osborne-panama-papers-tax-havens-blacklist-imf
UK fines working poor who claim Universal Credit under “in-work conditionality” program:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/14/dwp-punishing-low-paid-full-time-workers-under-new-benefits-rule?CMP=share_btn_fb
The number of seniors in the US workforce has tripled since the 1970s:
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/04/nine-to-five-after-65/390948/
The stress of systemic poverty is killing racial minorities in the US:
https://psmag.com/the-stress-of-systemic-poverty-is-killing-us-1543b5c230e6#.mf2hdzfo1
Bringing solar power and jobs to low-income US neighbourhoods:
http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/01/news/economy/solar-wdc-mark-davis/index.html
The countless ways poverty impacts on people’s health:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-04-20/the-countless-ways-poverty-affects-peoples-health
25% of Greek children live in poverty: UNICEF:
http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/04/21/unicef-25-of-greek-children-suffer-poverty/
Indigenous peoples around the world are disproportionately poor: UNICEF:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-21/indigenous-peoples-still-live-in-greater-poverty,-report-finds/7344762
Global finance ministers, including Canada’s Morneau, warn of consequences for not adopting new tax evasion rules:
http://www.theprovince.com/business/story.html?id=11855532
Piketty: Act now on Panama Papers, don’t wait for another crisis, and don’t ask politely:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/09/panama-papers-tax-havens-thomas-piketty?CMP=share_btn_tw