Top Stories
Wages are falling in Canada’s low-end jobs:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/02/23/wages-canada-low-end-jobs_n_14962214.html
Prescription from ER doctor: Expand public dental programs:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/02/21/prescription-from-er-doctor-expand-public-dental-programs.html
OCBCC: Three ideas to build a better future for child care in Ontario:
http://www.childcareontario.org/build_a_better_future
Ontario legislature resumes with a focus on Hydro:
http://www.citynews.ca/2017/02/20/ontario-legislature-resumes-tuesday-focus-hydro/
- Hydro rates to dominate new legislative session: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/02/21/hydro-rates-to-dominate-new-legislative-session.html
- Ontario acts to end hydro disconnections in winter: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2017/02/22/ontario-acts-to-end-hydro-disconnections-in-winter
- Bill sped through the legislature: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/02/22/ontario-passes-bill-to-ban-winter-disconnections-for-non-payment-of-hydro-bills.html
- Stopping winter hydro disconnections may increase your bill: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sudbury-hydro-unpaid-disconnect-follow-1.3989542
- Ontario Energy Board orders hydro firms to reconnect homes cut off for winter: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-energy-board-orders-hydro-firms-to-reconnect-homes-cut-off-for-winter-1.3997111
- TVO panel: Tackling Ontario’s electricity prices: http://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/tackling-ontarios-electricity-prices
- Ontario’s big secret: The real cause of rising electricity rates: CELA Guest Blog:
http://www.cela.ca/blog/2017-02-16/guest-blog-ontario-s-big-secret-real-cause-rising-electricity-rates
Toronto Mayor John Tory’s Valentine’s budget lacks heart:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/02/14/john-torys-valentines-budget-lacks-heart-opinion.html
- John Tory’s budget cuts protect the rich and punish the poor: https://nowtoronto.com/news/city-s-answer-to-poverty-robin-hood-in-reverse/
BC government hikes disability rates by $50, maintains freeze on welfare:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/02/21/BC-Budget-Disability-Rates-Welfare/
- Deputy Premier Coleman ‘should be embarrassed’ for comparing social assistance to Third World incomes: http://globalnews.ca/news/3267490/coleman-should-be-embarrassed-for-comparing-social-assistance-to-third-world-incomes/
- Disability rate increase criticized: http://www.nelsonstar.com/news/414502533.html
- Province continues freeze on welfare rates in BC: http://www.cheknews.ca/province-continues-freeze-welfare-rates-b-c-280302/
- BC budget brings early $3 billion in new social spending over the next 3 years: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-budget-brings-nearly-3-billion-in-new-social-spending-over-the-next-3-years-1.3993131
Ontario’s budget deficit drops to $1.9 billion:
http://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/7152012-ontario-s-budget-deficit-drops-to-1-9b/
- Ontario must prepare for less cash from the feds: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/02/21/ontario-must-prepare-for-less-cash-from-feds
Federal poverty reduction consultations:
- Website: http://esdc-consultations.canada.ca/poverty-reduction-strategy
- Star editorial: Ottawa should not delay on action to fight poverty: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/02/17/ottawa-should-not-delay-on-action-to-fight-poverty-editorial.html
- Citizens for Public Justice welcomes launch of poverty consultation: http://www.catholicregister.org/item/24356-citizens-for-public-justice-welcomes-launch-of-poverty-consultation
- Lethbridge Herald editorial: http://lethbridgeherald.com/commentary/opinions/2017/02/15/taking-action-on-poverty/
- Poverty violates human rights: Canada must do more to defeat it: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/michele-biss/canadian-poverty-reduction_b_14782650.html
Many Canadians too cash-strapped to raise children:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/many-canadians-too-cash-strapped-to-raise-children/article34031452/
First Nation enjoys turning on the taps after 10 years without clean water:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/indigenous-communities-drinking-water-advisories-1.3992409
Eliminating poverty the best prescription for better health, doctor says:
http://thestarphoenix.com/health/family-child/eliminating-poverty-the-best-prescription-for-better-health-care-doctor-says
Star editorial: Ottawa should name a children’s advocate:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/02/23/ottawa-should-name-a-childrens-advocate-editorial.html
Canada Revenue Agency finds $400 million more in tax crackdown:
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/cra-finds-dollar400m-more-in-tax-crackdown/ar-AAngYBn?li=AAadgLE&ocid=spartanntp
CETA to cost average working Canadian $2460 in lost income and eliminate 23,000 jobs: Report:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/02/21/ceta-cost-canadians-lost-income_n_14909238.html
Ontario
Ontario seeking public input to update Fair Wage Policy:
https://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2017/02/ontario-seeking-public-input-to-update-fair-wage-policy.html
Dignity takes a back seat when poverty has you sleeping in your car:
http://driving.ca/auto-news/news/dignity-takes-a-back-seat-when-poverty-has-you-sleeping-in-your-car
Immigration from abroad, rest of Canada adds to Ontario’s housing crunch:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3248376/immigration-from-abroad-rest-of-canada-adds-to-ontarios-housing-crunch/
Ontario funding sexual violence response projects:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/ontario-funding-sexual-violence-response-projects-1.3287920
Government release: Ontario’s economic growth outpaces G7 countries:
https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2017/02/ontarios-economic-growth-outpaces-g7-countries.html
Government release: Ontario introduces legislation to protect human trafficking survivors:
https://news.ontario.ca/owd/en/2017/02/ontario-introduces-legislation-to-protect-human-trafficking-survivors.html
Ontario PCs shuffle critics:
http://www.ontariopc.com/News/Details/Ontario-PC-Leader-Patrick-Brown-Announces-Critic-Shuffle
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Hamilton Community Legal Clinic to share reconciliation report:
https://tworowtimes.com/news/regional/hamilton-legal-clinic-share-reconciliation-report/
- “A Journey to ReconciliAction: Calls to Action Report”: http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/
Stats Can conducts Aboriginal Peoples Survey:
http://www.manitoulin.ca/2017/02/22/statistics-canada-conducts-aboriginal-peoples-survey/
Information about CPA Ontario’s Tax Preparation Assistance Program:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/volunteer-cpas-ensure-thousands-receive-tax-benefits-2197779.htm
Feb 28 Thunder Bay: Training workshop for front line workers on police powers:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/february-28-training-workshop-frontline-workers-police-powers-thunder-bay
Stats Can: CPI January 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170224/dq170224a-eng.htm
Stats Can: CPI: New basket weights, 2015:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170220/dq170220g-eng.htm
Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, December 2016:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170223/dq170223b-eng.htm
Stats Can study: Transition from temporary foreign workers to permanent residents:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170221/dq170221d-eng.htm
Now online: IRPP: Income Inequality in Canada: Driving forces, outcomes and policy:
http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f538f283d07ef7057a628bed8&id=fd23f26fcc
CLEO resource: Now in Arabic: Need welfare? How to apply to Ontario Works:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/news/now-arabic-need-welfare-how-apply-ontario-works
Homeless Hub Newsletter:
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=61233be4a0bcc87d8977b631e&id=04afed275a&e=6da7d6f883
Around the Province
Hamilton looking at cutting Ontario Works jobs after consultants review:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7142545-councillors-eye-staff-cuts-suggested-in-secret-review/
Leaders in vulnerable Hamilton neighbourhoods will be taught about legal rights:
http://thespec.com/news-story/7150108-leaders-in-vulnerable-hamilton-neighbourhoods-will-be-taught-about-legal-rights
Windsor Star reader letter: MCSS failing some who need it:
http://windsorstar.com/opinion/letters/reader-letter-social-services-ministry-failing-some-who-need-it
Simcoe County report shows youth leaving child welfare, former prisoners and people with mental health disabilities struggling with homelessness:
https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/youth-leaving-child-welfare-former-prisoners-and-mental-patients-struggling-with-homelessness-536172
Opioid crisis is a real Peterborough problem:
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2017/02/14/opioid-crisis-is-a-real-peterborough-problem
Oshawa’s unemployment rate continues to fall:
http://oshawaexpress.ca/unemployment-rate-continues-to-fall/
Kenora Week of Action Against Poverty builds relationships, finds solutions:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/kenora-week-action-poverty-2017-1.3986232
Every inmate at Kenora jail has addictions, mental health issues: Human rights commissioner:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/kenora-jail-1.3988460
Huron Perth Community Legal Clinic offering monthly legal education sessions:
http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/2017/02/13/huron-perth-community-legal-clinic-offering-free-monthly-legal-education-sessions
City of Toronto could save 2.7% over time if it did its share to eliminate poverty starting now:
http://openpolicyontario.com/a-better-way-to-save-2-6/
Bankruptcy forces Toronto’s MicroSkills to close doors after 33 years:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7151651-bankruptcy-forces-toronto-s-microskills-to-close-doors-after-33-years/
OCAP: A response to John Tory’s continued denial of the homeless shelter crisis:
https://ocaptoronto.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/a-response-to-john-torys-continued-denial-of-the-homeless-shelter-crisis/
Refugees fearful of US immigration order week sanctuary in Toronto shelters:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/refugees-shelters-1.3995021
Parkdale landlord facing growing backlash over rent hikes:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/parkdale-landlord-metcap-rent-87-jameson/
Across the Country
PEI minimum wage going up:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-minimum-wage-increase-1.3993904
Halifax council considering poverty reduction in budget:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1442008-city-continues-to-consider-budget
Manitoba Tories urged to get serious about poverty:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/tories-urged-to-get-serious-about-poverty-414447303.html
Report looks at poverty in Brandon, Manitoba:
http://www.westmanjournal.com/news/local-news/poverty-compass-to-focus-on-city-planning-programming-1.10176063
Nearly 80% of refugees employed within a year of landing in Alberta: StatsCan:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-alberta-refugees-immigrants-employment-statscan-1.3980544
Number of Alberta EI recipients nears record:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-employment-insurance-december-statistics-canada-1.3987762
Medicine Hat unveils proposal to assist residents dealing with poverty:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/medicine-hat-unveils-proposal-to-assist-residents-dealing-with-poverty/article34083855/
- Medicine Hat poverty-elimination plan draws local skepticism: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/medicine-hat-poverty-reduction-1.3985097
BC and Prince George experience drop in EI beneficiaries during December:
http://www.myprincegeorgenow.com/42699/bc-prince-george-experience-drop-ei-beneficiaries-december/
Action needed on poverty reduction in BC:
http://www.saobserver.net/opinion/letters/414620774.html
Provincial minimum wage increases in 2017:
http://www.bcemployerlaw.com/2017/02/06/minimum-wage-increases-in-2017/
National
Canada is betting on a universal basic income to help cities gutted by manufacturing job loss:
https://qz.com/914247/canada-is-betting-on-a-universal-basic-income-to-help-cities-gutted-by-manufacturing-job-loss/
Liberals’ pension reforms fall woefully short for Canadian workers:
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2017/02/liberals-pension-reforms-fall-woefully-short-canadian-workers
Many Canadians in the dark on minimum debt payments:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/household-finances/many-canadians-in-the-dark-on-minimum-debt-payments/article34108191/
Op-ed: The time for Indigenous-corporate partnerships is now:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/the-time-for-indigenous-corporate-partnerships-is-now/article34037968/
Supreme Court to hear appeals about Christian university law school:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/supreme-court-to-hear-appeals-about-christian-university-law-school-1.3297984
Conservative leadership candidate reverses support for transgender rights:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/conservative-leadership-maxime-bernier-c-16-gender-1.3981691
Canada should welcome more refugees in the time of Trump, say church groups and NGOs:
http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/canada-should-welcome-more-refugees-in-the-time-of-trump-say-church-groups-ngos
1 in 4 Canadians want Trump-style travel ban, poll suggests:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/syrian-refugees-poll-trump-1.3988716
- Majority support government decision not to increase 2017 refugee targets: http://angusreid.org/syrian-refugee-travel-ban/
Canadian banks, police following money trail to target human trafficking:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadian-banks-police-following-money-trail-to-target-human-trafficking/article34093888/
International
Tax haven blacklist omits Luxembourg as Brussels announces reform plans:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/17/luxembourg-tax-haven-blacklist-brussels-european-commission
Despite gains, African-Americans still disproportionately affected by hunger and poverty:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/despite-gains-african-americans-still-200400779.html
Draft of first Trump budget would cut legal aid for millions of poor Americans:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/21/trump-draft-budget-legal-aid-low-income
Tech CEOs back call for basic income as AI job losses threaten industry backlash:
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/21/technology-ceos-back-basic-income-as-ai-job-losses-threaten-industry-backlash.html
Mark Cuban: Basic income ‘the worst possible response’ to job losses from robots:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/22/mark-cuban-basic-income-worst-response-to-job-losses-from-robots-ai.html
Tackling poverty: Could universal basic income solve India’s problem?:
http://asiafoundation.org/2017/02/15/tackling-poverty-universal-basic-income-solve-indias-problem/
Some minimum wage stories from around the US:
http://www.bookweb.org/news/minimum-wage-roundup-35666
I’m an American living in Sweden. Here’s why I came to embrace the higher taxes:
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/8/11380356/swedish-taxes-love
New research highlights devastating impact of poverty on children’s mental health:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-02-highlights-devastating-impact-poverty-children.html
UK benefit claimants face poverty at hands of erratic sanctions system:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/21/benefit-claimants-poverty-erratic-sanctions-system-uk
Full list of 360 UK employers named and shamed for failing to pay minimum wage:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/full-list-360-employers-named-9825841
After seven years of bailouts, Greeks sink yet deeper in poverty:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eurozone-greece-poverty-idUSKBN15Z1NM