Top Stories
The truth about food insecurity is that it’s not about food:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/rise-in-food-bank-use-hints-at-larger-issue-across-region-1.4256214
Many Indigenous families not applying for Canada Child Benefit:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-child-benefit-indigenous-1.4211545
CPP changes will disqualify 243,000 from Guaranteed Income Supplement: Report:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cpp-changes-will-disqualify-243000-from-guaranteed-income-supplement-report/article36067917/?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com
City of London tops up OW shelter benefits to help people who are homeless:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-chronic-homeless-1.4246842
Waterloo Region councillors defer decision on OW discretionary benefits budget:
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7515789-regional-councillors-defer-decision-on-discretionary-benefits-budget/
Ontario’s OW and ODSP compensation award exemption changes will help sexual abuse survivors:
http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/622496/Crime/Ontario+Disability+Support
Tent City: The voices of Kitchener’s youth homeless protest camp:
| http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/tent-city-the-voices-of-kitchener-s-protest-camp-1.4256925
Ontario government tweaks labour reform bill, no changes to $15 minimum wage phase-in:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3688911/labour-reform-bill-ontario/
- Labour bill clears hurdle on road to $15-an-hour minimum wage: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/22/labour-bill-clears-hurdle-on-road-to-15-an-hour-minimum-wage.html
- Debate heats up over minimum wage hike in Ontario: https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/08/25/debate-heats-up-over-minimum-wage-hike-in-ontario.html
- 25% of local jobs in Timmins at risk under proposed labour law changes: Report:
https://www.timminstoday.com/local-news/25-per-cent-of-local-jobs-at-risk-under-proposed-labour-law-changes-report-696501 - Cornwall Chamber warns of Bill 148: http://www.cornwallseawaynews.com/news/local/2017/8/21/cornwall-chamber-warns-of-bill-148.html
- Uxbridge councillors want more info on new employment rules: https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/7514936-uxbridge-councillors-want-more-info-on-new-employment-rules/
- Will a minimum wage hike put Peterborough jobs at risk?: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2017/08/17/will-a-minimum-wage-hike-put-peterborough-jobs-at-risk
- Let’s embrace $15 minimum wage: https://www.flamboroughreview.com/opinion-story/7514719-guest-columnist-let-s-embrace-15-minimum-wage/
- Inflation could help grocery stocks survive the minimum wage apocalypse: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/could-inflation-help-grocery-stocks-survive-the-minimum-wage-apocalypse
- Star editorial: Ontario is right to lean against growing income inequality:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/08/20/ontario-is-right-to-lean-against-growing-income-inequality-editorial.html
Province seeking more residents for basic income pilot project:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/province-seeking-more-residents-for-basic-income-pilot-project-702209
- Editorial: Ontario’s two tier income approach:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/opinion/editorials/ontario-s–tier-income-approach/article_e2de0e6e-81c5-11e7-b237-bfe5f9c4b864.html - The poor need a guaranteed income, not Canadians’ charity:
https://thewalrus.ca/the-poor-need-a-guaranteed-income-not-our-charity/#.WZnIMEDhTy8.facebook
Op Ed: Income inequality becomes more entrenched in Canada:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1497170-opinion-income-inequality-becomes-more-entrenched-in-canada
Mentally ill people need to be calmed down, not shot:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/mentally-ill-people-need-to-be-calmed-down-not-shot/article36042139/
Study questions why thousands with development disabilities are prescribed antipsychotics:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/23/study-questions-why-thousands-with-developmental-disabilities-are-prescribed-antipsychotics.html
Explainer: What refugee claimants receive from the government:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/asylum-seekers-support-housing-1.4252114
- Refugees stuck in backlog have a chance at getting out of it – if they can afford the legal fees:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/08/19/refugees-stuck-in-backlog-have-a-chance-at-getting-out-of-it-if-they-can-afford-the-legal-fees.html
Parental leave study shows rich-poor divide:
http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.3594439
Economists argue Canada should end the universality in the Old Age Security program: http://globalnews.ca/news/3687306/cpp-oas-reform-costs/
- A by-the-numbers look at current, future spending on old age security: http://thechronicleherald.ca/canada/1496612-a-by-the-numbers-look-at-current-future-spending-on-old-age-security
Canada’s retirement poverty crisis is avoidable if we act now:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jerry-dias/canadas-retirement-poverty-crisis-is-avoidable-if-we-act-now_a_23080426/?platform=hootsuite
$500K hardship fund for former Sears Canada employees approved by judge:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sears-canada-employees-hardship-fund-1.4253467
There may be good reason to bite the food bank hand that feeds:
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7501740-there-may-be-good-reason-to-bite-the-hand-that-feeds/
Federal government weighs employing “social procurement” plan to support women, minorities:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ottawa-weighs-employing-social-procurement-plan-to-support-women-minorities/article36038354/
Coyne: Small businesses take risks. That’s no reason they should get a special tax break:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/andrew+coyne+hate+small+business+just+think+they+should+taxed+fairly/14334820/story.html
Ontario
How to overhaul child care in Ontario: A road map for revolution:
https://www.simcoe.com/community-story/7419774-how-to-overhaul-child-care-in-ontario-a-road-map-for-revolution/
Wynne’s balanced budget plan relies on rosy projections for tax revenue growth: Watchdog:
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/17/wynnes-balanced-budget-plan-relies-on-rosy-projections-for-tax-revenue-growth-watchdog.html
OSAP student funding considers income but not parents’ debt load:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/parent-income-high-osap-finances-university-waterloo-1.4249481
Mental health system “in total crisis”, critic warns:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ontario-mental-health-crisis-1.4253510
New report finds growing number of people in Ontario treated for opioid addiction:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-08-people-ontario-opioid-addiction.html
Court dismisses lawsuit over sale of Hydro One:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7507918-ontario-court-dismisses-lawsuit-over-sale-of-hydro-one/
Government release: Ontario making major investments in social housing repairs and retrofits:
https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2017/08/ontario-making-major-investments-in-social-housing-repairs-and-retrofits.html
Government release: Ontario and First Nations moving ahead with road to Ring of Fire:
https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/08/lontario-et-les-premieres-nations-progressent-dans-le-projet-de-construction-dune-route-pour-le-cerc.html
Government release: Ontario and Canada invest an immediate $10M to support First Nations youth health and safety:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2017/08/ontario-and-canada-invest-10m-to-support-first-nations-youth-health-and-safety.html
The Pollcast: Can Kathleen Wynne stage a comeback in 2018?:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/grenier-pollcast-benzie-1.4260777
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Progressive Economics Forum: Housing Affordability and Inequality: Low-Income Renters in Ontario:
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/08/22/sepulveda-ontario-rental-market/
Stats Can: Pension plans in Canada, as of January 1, 2016:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170721/dq170721d-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Employment Insurance June 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170824/dq170824a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
- EI beneficiaries drop to 517,200 in June: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/employment-insurance-june-1.4260193
Government of Canada survey on the Criminal Justice System – remember to say NO to the mandatory victim surcharge:
https://surveys.ekos.com/ekos/cwx.cgi?_proj=07417SW&_lang=EN
Around the Province
Sault Ste. Marie Social Services looking to merge three offices:
https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/social-services-looking-to-merge-three-offices-698248
Ontario issues rare order to Ottawa to improve failing long-term care homes:
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ontario-issues-rare-order-to-ottawa-to-improve-failing-long-term-care-homes
Food shopping at dollar stores in Brant County:
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2017/08/22/food-shopping-at-dollar-stores
Barrie family keeps kids home after struggle to pay daycare bills:
https://www.simcoe.com/community-story/7417948-barrie-family-keeps-kids-home-after-struggle-to-pay-daycare-bills/
Low income renters suffering housing crisis in Hastings Prince Edward:
http://www.bancroftthisweek.com/?p=8250
HomeShare programs in Halton and Northumberland a solution for senior housing:
https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/08/22/home-sharing-is-a-solution-for-senior-housing.html
Eaton Centre Uniqlo workers seeking to unionize:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/08/19/eaton-centre-uniqlo-workers-seeking-to-unionize.html
Norwich children support doll-making effort to send a message to politicians about child poverty in Canada:
http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/2017/08/17/norwich-children-support-doll-making-effort-to-send-a-message-to-politicians-about-child-poverty-in-canada
Affordable “cabin community” pitched for Brant:
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2017/08/22/affordable-cabin-community-pitched-for-brant
Founder of Toronto’s Homeless Memorial remembered as great advocate:
http://torontoobserver.ca/2017/08/16/founder-of-torontos-homeless-memorial-remembered-as-great-advocate/
Toronto unveils interim safe injection site, 3 permanent sites being built:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/08/21/interim-safe-injection-site-expected-to-open-in-toronto.html
- Group behind Toronto’s pop-up safe injection site wants councillor to retract comments: http://www.cp24.com/news/group-behind-moss-park-safe-injection-site-asks-mammoliti-to-retract-comments-1.3558671
Toronto anti-poverty activists gather at Allan Gardens, demand housing action:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/7510705-anti-poverty-activists-gather-at-allan-gardens-demand-housing-action/
Many Northwestern Ontarians aren’t allowed to go to their nearest doctor, and it’s costing lives:
http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/the-next-ontario/many-northwestern-ontarians-arent-allowed-to-go-to-their-nearest-doctor–and-its-costing-lives
Across the Country
BC’s minimum wage increasing 50 cents as government moves toward $15 per hour pledge:
http://www.merrittherald.com/minimum-wage-increasing-50-cents-ndp-government-moves-towards-15-per-hour-pledge/
- The minimum wage debate in BC: http://www.houston-today.com/opinion/minimum-wage-debate/
- Business community in BC’s Powell River responds to wage increase: http://www.prpeak.com/business/powell-river-business-community-responds-to-wage-increase-1.22093807
- Local BC businesses and workers split over minimum wage hike: http://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/minimum-wage-divide-1.22115281
New BC government ministers tour Vancouver’s tent city and Downtown Eastside:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3676057/new-ndp-ministers-tour-vancouvers-tent-city-downtown-eastside/
New BC government says previous government’s large surplus demonstrates an “unbalanced” approach:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/ndp-b-c-s-surplus-proof-of-unbalanced-approach-1.22091464
Disabled senior in Duncan, BC spends nights on his scooter:
https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/disabled-duncan-senior-spends-nights-on-his-scooter/
Homeless Okanagan family not out of the woods:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3692218/homeless-okanagan-family-not-out-of-the-woods/
Syrian refugees in Edmonton struggle with basic needs, report shows:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/syrian-refugees-edmonton-1.4256590
Edmonton mulls sanctuary city policy:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2017/08/21/the-most-vulnerable-people-in-our-city-edmonton-mulls-sanctuary-city-policy.html
New affordable housing project underway in Regina:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3680705/new-affordable-housing-project-underway-in-regina/
Indigenous families in Manitoba Housing being evicted, and want the federal government to intervene:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/waterhen-manitoba-housing-eviction-1.4245916
Nunavut social housing rents should not be based on gross income:
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavut_social_housing_rents_should_not_be_based_on_gross_income/
Quebec will hand out welfare cheques to about 4,000 asylum seekers, official says:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/24/quebec-will-hand-out-welfare-cheques-to-asylum-seekers-report-says.html
$15 minimum wage would fill cupboards, boost Nova Scotia’s economy:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1496095-opinion-15-minimum-wage-would-fill-cupboards-boost-n.s.-economy
Newfoundland and Labrador to spend $5.5 million to help fish plant workers qualify for EI:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/provincial-funding-plant-workers-1.4255452
National
Feds trying to stem tide of refugees flowing into Canada:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3689538/feds-trying-to-stem-tide-of-refugees-flowing-into-canada/
NDP pushing to reunite live-in caregivers with their families sooner:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/7515495-ndp-pushing-to-reunite-live-in-caregivers-with-their-families-sooner/
Does Canada deserve its world-class reputation on human rights?:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/vince-wong/does-canada-deserve-its-world-class-reputation-on-human-rights_a_23074687/
If NAFTA talks turn ugly, economic cooling could turn into a deep freeze:
http://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/if-nafta-talks-turn-ugly-economic-cooling-could-turn-into-a-deep-freeze/wcm/696b04f5-cbf8-44e8-8499-57f6a17c6f48
- Walkom: Canada should not be satisfied with just tweaking NAFTA: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/24/canada-should-not-be-satisfied-with-just-tweaking-nafta-walkom.html
Average mortgage balance in Canada rises 5%:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/22/transunion-average-mortgage-balance-in-canada-rises-5
High-profile Conservatives organizing to shift party to centre: Activists:
http://www.hilltimes.com/2017/08/16/progressive-wing-conservative-party-making-play-influence/116202?mc_cid=8330ff460c&mc_eid=e23a377433
International
WalMart introducing improved technology to eliminate checkout lanes, registers – and cashiers:
https://www.aol.com/article/finance/2017/08/07/walmart-is-taking-a-direct-shot-at-amazon-and-making-checkout-la/23069214/?ncid=txtlnkusaolc00001081
- More coverage from Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/08/12/walmart-try-try-again/GYdH9nGK5AQ0eEpSqSJxrO/story.html
Most Americans – nearly 80% – live paycheque to paycheque:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/most-americans-live-paycheck-to-paycheck.html
- Jared Kushner’s firm seeks arrest of Maryland tenants to collect debt: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/investigations/bs-md-kushner-arrests-20170812-story.html
- Bad jobs and no welfare give rise to a new type of US charity: The diaper bank: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/diaper-banks-child-poverty_us_5983538ae4b00f0084ae8687
McDonalds faces first ever British strike as workers at two restaurants call for industrial action:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/mcdonalds-strike-workers-rights-ballot-industrial-action-vote-walkout-a7901421.html
- McDonald’s workers to coordinate strike with allies around the world: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/21/mcdonalds-workers-to-coordinate-strike-with-allies-around-world
- The stress of low-paid work is making Britain sick:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/24/britain-work-makes-you-ill-jobs?CMP=fb_gu - Labour says plan for a £10 minimum wage would raise more than five million workers’ incomes:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-minimum-wage-income-raise-millions-workers-jeremy-corbyn-rebecca-long-bailey-a7909306.html
Report shows big increases in welfare payments needed to meet a basic standard of living in the UK:
http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/welfare-worries/8836220
- UK countryside faces fuel poverty crisis:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/19/rural-areas-suffer-worst-fuel-poverty-insulation-energy-prices - Why it’s time to eradicate period poverty in the UK:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amika-george/period-poverty_b_17772742.html
Australian Medical Association boss Michael Gannon says welfare drug testing trial “simply won’t work”:
http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/australian-medical-assocition-boss-michael-gannon-says-welfare-drug-testing-trial-simply-wont-work/news-story/cb3c831cfbbb75009eb0b39fae9ebc66
- Coalition warned drug dealing will rise if testing of welfare recipients goes ahead: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/24/coalition-warned-drug-dealing-will-rise-if-testing-of-welfare-recipients-goes-ahead
Abbott eyes national cashless welfare plan:
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/21/abbott-eyes-national-cashless-welfare-plan
- Aboriginal leader withdraws support for cashless welfare card and says he feels used: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/23/aboriginal-leader-withdraws-support-for-cashless-welfare-card-and-says-he-feels-used
- Expansion of cashless welfare card shows shock tactics speak louder than evidence:
http://theconversation.com/expansion-of-cashless-welfare-card-shows-shock-tactics-speak-louder-than-evidence-82585 - Australian cashless welfare card researcher rejects “completely inaccurate” attack:
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/forrest-ramps-up-defence-of-cashless-welfare-cards-despite-kimberley-crime-rise-20170818-gxzbq3.html - Cashless welfare card a “public whip” to control Indigenous people: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/22/pat-dodson-says-cashless-welfare-card-a-public-whip-to-control-indigenous-people
The myth of the benefits cheat is a sign of unkind times in New Zealand:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/21/myth-benefits-cheat-sign-unkind-times-new-zealand-politician-metiria-turei
- Actuarial modelling is not evidence of effective social welfare, says New Zealand academic: http://www.themandarin.com.au/82635-actuarial-modelling-is-not-evidence-of-effective-social-welfare-nz-academic-warns/
Welfare to work schemes unlikely to improve lone parents’ health, says study:
https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/welfare-to-work-schemes-unlikely-to-improve-lone-parents-health-says-study/
No alternative to austerity? The lie has now been nailed:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/24/austerity-lie-deep-cuts-economy-portugal-socialist?CMP=fb_gu