Top Stories
Star editorial: Wynne government should dump cruel panhandling ban:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/06/25/wynne-government-should-dump-cruel-panhandling-ban-editorial.html
Reducing Canada’s workplace gender gap would add $150 billion to GDP:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/06/29/reducing-canadas-workplace-gender-gap-would-add-150-billion-to_a_23008616/
Calgary outpaces Toronto and Vancouver as Canada’s least-affordable city for low-income residents:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/university-calgary-housing-affordability-analysis-1.4184027
People who are homeless in Montreal falling victim to aggressive strep bacteria causing flesh-eating disease:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3555905/montreal-homeless-falling-victim-to-aggressive-strep-virus-causing-flesh-eating-disease/
Full impact of Ontario’s controversial 25% hydro rate cut to kick in on July 1:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7387835-full-impact-of-ontario-s-controversial-25-per-cent-hydro-rate-cut-to-kick-in-on-canada-day/
All Legal Aid Ontario immigration and refugee services will continue after July 1:
http://legalaid.on.ca/en/news/newsarchive/2017-06-26_refugee-services-will-continue.asp
Delays in implementation of Rental Fairness Act anything but fair, critics say:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rental-fairness-delays-1.4171421
- Rents in Ontario can be hiked 1.8 per cent in 2018 under new guidelines: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/06/23/rents-in-ontario-can-be-hiked-18-per-cent-in-2018-under-new-guidelines.html
Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot: TVO Video with Hugh Segal: http://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/ontarios-basic-income-pilot
- The neoliberal writing on the wall: Ontario’s Basic Income experiment: https://recoveryinthebin.org/2017/06/25/the-neoliberal-writing-on-the-wall-ontarios-basic-income-experiment/
- Can a basic income help Thunder Bay residents struggling with a changing economy?: http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/shared-values/can-a-basic-income-help-thunder-bay-residents-struggling-with-a-changing-economy
Ontario gets it right with move to minimum wage:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/ontario-gets-it-right-with-move-to-higher-minimum-wage/article35499483/
- Province’s proposed labour reforms, minimum wage increase spark concerns among Durham businesses: https://www.durhamregion.com/news-story/7394204-province-s-proposed-labour-reforms-minimum-wage-increase-spark-concerns-among-durham-businesses/
- Evidence shows immigrants will get fewer jobs as Ontario ratchets up minimum wage to $15: http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/evidence-shows-immigrants-will-get-fewer-jobs-as-ontario-ratchets-up-minimum-wage-to-15/wcm/ad7ed5d3-5a31-4a31-bc7c-63118b088f3a
- Sun op-ed: Wynne, Brown wrong on $15 minimum wage: http://www.torontosun.com/2017/06/27/wynne-brown-wrong-on-15-minimum-wage
- Leeds and Grenville council sounds off on minimum wage: https://www.insidebrockville.com/news-story/7388746-leeds-and-grenville-council-sounds-off-on-minimum-wage/
- Labour Minister says changes needed: http://www.countyweeklynews.ca/2017/06/26/labour-minister-says-changes-needed
- How the $15 minimum wage can help the Canadian economy: http://hibusiness.ca/2017/06/24/how-the-15-minimum-wage-can-help-the-canadian-economy/
Canada 150 is not a cause for celebration: Ontario Regional Chief Day:
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2017/06/29/canada150-is-not-a-cause-for-celebration-ontario-regional-chief-day/
- Protest teepee erected outside Parliament: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/protest-teepee-erected-outside-parliament-1.3481362
- First Nations activists from Winnipeg to blockade TransCanada Highway on Friday: https://redpowermedia.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/first-nations-activists-from-winnipeg-to-blockade-transcanada-highway-on-friday/
- “Humiliation Day”: July 1 has added meaning for some Chinese-Canadians:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/humiliation-day-chinese-canadian-head-tax-exclusion-act-july-1-1.4175025 - Most Canadians feel $500 million for Canada 150 is too much:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3538958/canada-150-budget-too-much/
Indigenous communities “have to lead” before Ottawa hands over funding, says Trudeau:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3559832/liberals-indigenous-funding-justin-trudeau/
- Indigenous leaders call out Trudeau over funds for social services: https://www.theglobeandmail.com///news/politics/indigenous-leaders-call-out-trudeau-over-funds-for-social-services/article35496813/?cmpid=rss1&click=sf_globefb
Street nurse Cathy Crowe, among others, to receive Order of Canada:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/charles-sinclair-myers-order-of-canada-1.4185114
Ontario
Northern Ontario First Nation declares state of emergency on youth suicides:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/06/22/northern-ontario-first-nation-declares-state-of-emergency-on-youth-suicides.html
Ontario food banks have changed, but the need for them hasn’t:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ontario-association-of-food-banks/ontario-food-banks-have-changed-but-the-need-for-them-hasnt_a_22530010/
Double-dipping lawyers in Ontario may be a thing of the past:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/06/26/double-dipping-lawyers-in-ontario-may-be-thing-of-the-past.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
Caledon Institute: Why core housing need is a poor metric to measure outcomes of Canada’s national housing strategy:
http://www.caledoninst.org/Publications/PDF/1114ENG.pdf
Maytree: What does the data tell us about rising poverty in Canada?
https://maytree.com/publications/data-tell-us-rising-poverty-canada/
Maytree newsletter:
http://mailchi.mp/maytree/maytree-newsletter-april-410291?e=2df3fde692
Mowat Centre: A portable benefits scheme for all Canadian workers:
https://mowatcentre.ca/what-if-you-could-take-it-with-you/
Mowat Centre: Sharing your tax data could be a gift to equality:
https://mowatcentre.ca/many-happy-returns/
Homeless Hub newsletter:
http://mailchi.mp/edu/caeh17-conference-program?e=6da7d6f883
StatsCan blog: How to measure changes in Canada’s grocery bill:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170623/dq170623h-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Consumer Price Index, May 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170623/dq170623a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, April 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170629/dq170629a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Canada by the numbers:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dai/smr08/2017/smr08_219_2017
Around the Province
Anger is an appropriate response to poverty and death on Toronto streets:
http://torontoist.com/2017/06/anger-appropriate-response-poverty-death-toronto-streets/
Hearing on minimum wage, labour law changes set for Thunder Bay:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/hearing-on-minimum-wage-labour-law-changes-set-for-thunder-bay-654981
Low-income dental plan needs to come sooner, says Porcupine Public Health Unit in Timmins:
http://www.timminspress.com/2017/06/23/low-income-dental-plan-needs-to-come-sooner-says-phu
- Oral health care coverage needed in Ontario, says Northumberland County council: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2017/06/22/oral-health-care-coverage-needed-in-ontario
Paying living wage boosts morale, productivity, staff retention – Niagara living wage is $17.57:
https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/7392694-paying-living-wage-boosts-morale-productivity-staff-retention/
Hiring people with disabilities helps Niagara companies’ bottom line:
https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/7389252-hiring-people-with-disabilities-helps-companies-bottom-line/
Basic income guarantee urged as Peterborough Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef holds consultations on poverty reduction:
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2017/06/29/basic-income-guarantee-urged-as-peterborough-kawartha-mp-maryam-monsef-holds-consultations-on-poverty-reduction
Roundtable in Quinte with MP Adam Vaughan focuses on affordable housing:
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2017/06/29/roundtable-focuses-on-affordable-housing
“Pervasive racism” remains outstanding issue from First Nation student deaths inquest:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/inquest-anniversary-1.4178539?cmp=rss
Northeastern Ontario tops provincial, national hospitalization rates:
http://www.nugget.ca/2017/06/26/northeastern-ontario-tops-provincial-national-rates
To protect social housing, sometimes you have to let go:
https://maytree.com/publications/protect-social-housing-sometimes-let-go/?mc_cid=7cf8e836d7&mc_eid=2df3fde692
Toronto Public Library opens more branches on Sundays as part of Poverty Reduction Strategy:
https://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/7392190-toronto-public-library-opens-more-branches-on-sundays/
Ontario government bulletin: Celebrating new affordable rental housing in Niagara Region:
https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2017/06/celebrating-new-affordable-rental-housing-in-niagara-region.html
Windsor sees nation’s biggest EI beneficiary decline: Stats Can:
http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsor-sees-nations-biggest-ei-beneficiary-decline-statscan
Across the Country
How technology puts pressure on BC’s migrant farm workers:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/06/29/Technology-Pressures-BC-Migrant-Farm-Workers/
Compassion of Maple Ridge, BC, food bank questioned:
https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/compassion-of-maple-ridge-food-bank-questioned/
BC legal aid suspends immigration and refugee services due to lack of funding:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-legal-aid-suspends-immigration-and-refugee-services-due-to-lack-of-funding-1.4181352
Edmonton’s living wage drops to $16.31 an hour: Report:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3565493/edmontons-living-wage-drops-but-still-higher-than-minimum-wage-report/
Saskatchewan relents on cuts to funeral services for the poor:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/saskatchewan-relents-on-cuts-to-funeral-services-for-the-poor-1.3477471
Slight increase to minimum wage set for Saskatchewan this fall:
https://www.westcentralonline.com/local/22628-slight-increase-to-minimum-wage-set-for-sask-this-fall
“They were very persistent”: CBC finds more cash-for-jobs immigration schemes in Saskatchewan:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/they-were-very-persistent-cbc-finds-more-cash-for-jobs-immigration-schemes-1.4178067
Manitoba government lowers support for diabetes blood-testing strips:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/province-lowers-support-for-diabetes-blood-testing-strips-431416873.html
Manitoba helps addicts pay for opioid replacement Suboxone:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/suboxone-manitoba-pharmacare-opioids-1.4178035
Fire in belly: Feed Nova Scotia volunteer fuelled by need to correct injustice:
https://www.localxpress.ca/local-news/fire-in-the-belly-feed-nova-scotia-volunteer-fuelled-by-need-to-correct-injustice-655480
Twillingdate, NL workers facing radical changes with fish plant closure:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/retrain-projects-fish-plant-workers-twillingate-1.4181093
- Plant closure “biggest blow since the cod moratorium”: http://www.lportepilot.ca/news/local/2017/6/22/plant-closure-_biggest-blow-since-the-cod-moratorium–twillingat.html
Guaranteed basic income discussions continue in PEI:
http://www.journalpioneer.com/opinion/columnists/2017/6/23/guaranteed-basic-income-discussions-continue.html
National
Sears Canada laid-off employees won’t receive severance packages:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/06/27/sears-canada-severance-layoffs_a_23004338/
- Battle brewing as Sears Canada confirms no severance pay for staff: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/no-severance-pay-for-sears-canada-staff/article35454179/
Food insecurity as key contributor to poor health and higher costs in Canada:
https://foodtank.com/news/2017/06/researchers-find-food-insecurity-key-contributor-poor-health-higher-costs-canada/
“Immigration continues to be key ingredient to our economic future”: Immigration minister:
https://www.cicnews.com/2017/06/immigration-key-ingredient-economic-future-immigration-minister-069265.html
Latest Hill Times Power & Influence:
http://mailchi.mp/hilltimes/power-influence-summer-2017?e=e23a377433
International
Legal aid cuts in the UK have left residents no way to challenge sub-standard housing:
https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2017/jun/26/legal-aid-cuts-sub-standard-housing
UK food bank use set to grow amid rising living costs and dwindling welfare, study finds:
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/29/food-bank-use-growing-rising-living-costs-welfare-cuts-uk-study.html
UK remains most popular place for overseas workers, despite Brexit (Canada is 4th):
http://economia.icaew.com/en/news/june-2017/uk-remains-most-popular-place-to-work-despite-brexit
Number of Britons enduring “persistent” poverty surges by 700,000 in a year, figures show:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britons-persistent-poverty-uk-families-surge-18-per-cent-2016-year-figures-ons-action-statistics-a7810391.html
UK Tory MSP admits benefits rules lead to food bank use:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15367795.Tory_MSP_admits_benefits_rules_lead_to_food_bank_use/
Minimum wage earners in Australia are now taxed a third of their extra income. How did this happen?
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/minimumwage-earners-are-now-taxed-a-third-of-their-extra-income-how-did-this-happen-20170615-gws9xr.html
New Connecticut law will keep people from being jailed just because they’re poor:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/connecticut-bail-reform_us_59382ca2e4b0b13f2c660f04
Dallas Poverty Task Force opposes proposed transit fare increase:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/DART-Proposed-Fare-Increase-Receives-Push-Back-From-Poverty-Task-Force-431491653.html
Retired football star partners with Koch brothers to fight poverty in Dallas:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Deion-Sanders-Partners-with-Koch-Brothers-to-Fight-Dallas-Poverty-430578083.html
14 arrested in New Jersey welfare fraud investigation:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/06/28/new-jersey-arrests-welfare-fraud-investigation/435144001/
A tale of two minimum wage studies in Seattle:
http://www.insidesources.com/tale-two-minimum-wage-studies/
- Does $15 minimum wage kill jobs? Experts debate Seattle’s results: http://globalnews.ca/news/3559059/minimum-wage-15-seattle/
- Minimum wage hike drives (lousy) restaurants out of business: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2017/06/28/minimum-wage-hikes-drive-lousy-restaurants-out-of-business/#940b514305f1
- Carl’s Jr. slapped with $1.45 million fine for failing to pay minimum wage in LA: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/27/carls-jr-slapped-with-1-point-45-million-fine-for-failing-to-pay-minimum-wage-in-l-a.html
- Ivanka Trump’s shoes – that’s what poverty means, long hours, low pay, abuse:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2017/06/28/ivanka-trumps-shoes-thats-what-poverty-means-long-hours-low-pay-abuse/#4a526b473b08
US House budget plan delayed again over welfare cuts:
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/339639-house-budget-plan-delayed-again-over-welfare-cuts
- Conservative House members want to rewrite tax code, overhaul welfare: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/26/conservative-house-members-want-to-rewrite-tax-cod/
- Republicans focus on food stamps as part of major welfare reform: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/republicans-focus-on-food-stamps-as-part-of-major-welfare-reform/article/2626634
Owners of small health-care firms are “preparing for the worst” with US Medicaid changes:
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/29/owners-of-health-care-firms-preparing-for-worst-with-medicaid-aca.html
Why poverty is skyrocketing in the US suburbs:
https://psmag.com/economics/poverty-has-arrived-in-the-suburbs
Love the idea of a universal basic income? Be careful what you wish for:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/23/universal-basic-income-ubi-welfare-state
- Is universal basic income a solution to tech unemployment?: https://singularityhub.com/2017/06/26/is-universal-basic-income-a-solution-to-tech-unemployment/
- Conservatives, liberals, techies, and social activists all love universal basic income: Has its time come?: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hiltzik-ubi-20170625-story.html
Japan’s child poverty rate eases but 1 in 7 children remains poor:
https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan%27s-child-poverty-rate-eases-but-1-in-7-children-remains-poor
Old age poverty risk in Germany on the rise:
http://www.dw.com/en/old-age-poverty-risk-in-germany-on-the-rise/a-39415675