Top Stories
It’s time to tear down the “welfare wall” for persons with disabilities:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/07/04/its-time-to-tear-down-the-welfare-wall-for-persons-with-disabilities.htm
- Freeing our people: Updates from the long road to deinstitutionalization: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/freeing-our-people-updates-long-road-deinstitutionalization
Sudbury to review discretionary benefits for OW and ODSP recipients:
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/05/city-to-review-benefits-for-ow-odsp-recipients
- Sudbury grappling with taking on cost of orthodontic care for kids on social assistance: https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/city-grappling-with-taking-on-cost-of-orthodontic-care-for-kids-on-social-assistance-661780
Lawsuit takes on WSIB for rejecting “chronic mental stress” claims:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wsib-mental-stress-workplace-constitution-court-1.4189301
- Lawsuit seeks relief for injured workers struggling with mental illness: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/05/lawsuit-seeks-relief-for-injured-workers-struggling-with-mental-illness.html
Ontario rent increases capped at 1.8 per cent for next year:
http://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-rent-increases-capped-at-1-8-per-cent-for-next-year-1.3474230
- Rent cap hailed as win in Barrie: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2017/07/05/rental-cap-in-2108
- Rent cap raises questions and concerns in Orillia: http://www.orilliapacket.com/2017/07/06/provinces-plan-to-limit-rent-increases-next-year-raises-questions-concerns-locally
Basic income questions raised in Thunder Bay:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/basic-income-pilot-forum-1.4185881
- TVO’s The Agenda: The Basic Income Debate: http://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/the-basic-income-debate
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
- Open letter: Minimum wage hike won’t bring doom and gloom, 40 economists say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/04/minimum-wage-hike-wont-bring-doom-and-gloom-economists-say.html - Higher minimum wage makes sense: Economists: http://www.thesudburystar.com/2017/07/04/higher-minimum-wage-makes-sense-economists
- Higher minimum wages will have a positive impact on Canadian economy:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economic-insight/higher-minimum-wages-will-have-a-positive-impact-on-canadian-economy/article35540658/ - Minimum wage hike could spell spike in child care fees, daycare operator warns: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/07/05/minimum-wage-hike-could-spell-spike-in-child-care-fees-daycare-operator-warns.html
- History suggests minimum wage hikes don’t kill the job market: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/07/04/ontario-minimum-wage-increase-history-suggests-minimum-wage-hik_a_22674006/
- We must learn from businesses that already pay $15 / hr: https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/7404031-we-must-learn-from-businesses-that-already-pay-15-hr/
Workers Action Centre: Let’s defend and strengthen Bill 148 – submission deadline July 21:
http://mailchi.mp/workersactioncentre/defend-and-strengthen-bill-148-submission-deadline?e=51059eb750
Sears Canada files motion to suspend retiree benefits:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3578836/sears-canada-files-motion-to-suspend-retiree-benefits/
- Sears seeks to suspend monthly pension plan contributions: http://www.pionline.com/article/20170706/ONLINE/170709957/sears-canada-seeks-to-suspend-monthly-pension-plan-contributions
- “Totally unacceptable”: Employees and retirees emerge as victims amid Sears restructuring plan: http://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/totally-unacceptable-employees-and-retirees-emerge-as-victims-amid-sears-restructuring-plan/wcm/da03b196-6627-4e9c-972b-5a9fceeef3bb
Canada’s Labour Minister promises more protections for workers coming:
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/07/06/Labour-Minister-Promises-More-Protections-Workers/
High number of women failing citizenship test reflects barriers they face, advocates say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2017/07/03/high-number-of-women-failing-citizenship-test-reflects-barriers-they-face-advocates-say.html
Ontario
Ontario appeals court validates mandatory victim surcharges:
http://www.theobserver.ca/2017/07/03/appeal-court-validates-surchages
Public health experts blame Ontario government for gap in food insecurity data:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/food-insecurity-ontario/article35510687/
Seasonal workers already heading back to Ontario farms:
https://observerxtra.com/2017/07/06/seasonal-workers-already-heading-back-to-ontario-farms/
- Tracking technology causing anxiety, fear among foreign workers: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/tracking-technology-causing-anxiety-fear-among-foreign-workers-advocates-1.3487682
LAO budget woes mean squeeze on immigration and refugee services:
http://www.lawtimesnews.com/201707046273/headline-news/lao-budget-woes-mean-squeeze-on-services
Ontario Ombudsman releases 2016-2017 annual report:
http://mailchi.mp/ombudsman/ombudsman-ontario-the-watchdog-april-newsletter-2628057?e=49dc1efedf
Ontario pledges $2 million in funding for community hub program:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/06/29/ontario-pledges-2m-in-funding-for-community-hub-program.html
Government release: Helping communities access integrated public services:
https://news.ontario.ca/moi/en/2017/06/helping-communities-access-integrated-public-services.html
Government release: Ontario working with partners to make housing more affordable:
https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2017/07/ontario-working-with-partners-to-make-housing-more-affordable.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
MWAC: Gains and gaps for migrant workers in Ontario’s proposed new workers’ rights regime:
http://www.migrantworkersalliance.org/gains-and-gaps/
On the Radar: Changes coming for Ontario workers:
http://mailchi.mp/cleo/on-the-radar-changes-coming-for-ontario-workers?e=6e96540544
ONPHA Review of Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan:
http://qc.onpha.on.ca/2017/06/review-of-ontarios-fair-housing-plan/
Toronto event July 17: Basic Income: Ontario’s pilot project:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/basic-income-ontarios-pilot-project-tickets-34674255632
Canada Without Poverty’s Economic and Social Rights program offered again this summer:
http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=389075e355b60ea9c8d3e4044&id=2650613bd8&e=be99085c7f
Around the Province
Racism toward Indigenous people escalating in Thunder Bay: Grand chief:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/safety-of-first-nations-youth-focus-of-emergency-meeting-in-thunder-bay-ont/wcm/85e981c1-695c-4060-bcee-f7b83447969c
Unemployment drops in Hamilton in 2017:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/work-force-1.4186320
Toronto home affordability hits worst level on record:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/06/30/toronto-home-affordability-hits-worst-level-on-record_a_23010136/
Toronto gets a massive transit investment from the federal government:
http://www.blogto.com/city/2017/07/toronto-gets-massive-transit-investment-federal-government/
Across the Country
BC’s legal aid cuts leave more refugee families to fend for themselves:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouver/2017/07/05/refugees-bc-legal-aid-cuts-leave-families-to-fend-for-selves.html
The new BC government’s calendar includes poverty reduction and basic income:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/local+news/look+green+calendar+next+months/13592721/story.html
Alberta can’t afford not to spend more on affordable housing:
http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/corbella-we-cant-afford-not-to-spend-more-on-affordable-housing
Saskatchewan social assistance benefits reduced starting July 1:
http://leaderpost.com/news/saskatchewan/changes-coming-to-social-assistance-innovation-taxes-on-july-1
Manitoba Tories’ reassurances on poverty fall flat:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/tories-reassurances-on-poverty-fall-flat-433046693.html
Living wage higher in Brandon, MB, than Winnipeg: Report:
http://www.brandonsun.com/local/living-wage-higher-in-brandon-than-winnipegreport-432386733.html
Winnipeg considers poverty strategy:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/metro/Community-considers-poverty-strategy-432279163.html
“In Quebec, it’s a free for all”: Montreal tenants’ group calls for stronger rent controls:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-social-housing-rent-controls-moving-day-1.4188327
Home Again, with dignity: Newfoundland non-profit helping those in need get back on their feet:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/home-again-furniture-1.4185860
Anti-poverty group organizes Muskrat Falls protest in St. John’s:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/muskrat-falls-demonstration-harbourside-park-1.4188557
“It’s an annual thing”: NB Power cuts off indebted family as seasonal aid ends:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-family-lose-power-nb-power-disconnect-1.4184866
The costs of ignoring poverty in Nova Scotia:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/nowns/conversations/1482936-wavelengths-the-costs-of-ignoring-poverty
PEI seniors facing late OAS and CPP cheque delivery:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-cpp-oas-cheques-late-1.4192527
National
Globe editorial: The Trudeau government is failing refugee claimants, and Canadians:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/globe-editorial-the-trudeau-government-is-failing-refugee-claimants/article35522884/
Canada rejects hundreds of immigrants based on incomplete data, investigation finds:
http://globalnews.ca/news/3551772/inadmissible-canada-rejects-hundreds-of-immigrants-based-on-incomplete-data-global-investigation-finds/
Gender equality in Canada: Where do we stand today?:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/safety-of-first-nations-youth-focus-of-emergency-meeting-in-thunder-bay-ont/wcm/85e981c1-695c-4060-bcee-f7b83447969c
Trudeau welcomed warmly by anti-poverty activists before G20 meetings in Hamburg:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/trudeau-welcomed-warmly-by-anti-poverty-activists-before-g20-meetings-1.3491545
International
US House votes to expand job training to welfare recipients:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/house-votes-to-expand-job-training-to-welfare-recipients/article/2626910
GOP resolution says welfare programs “discourage marriage”:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gop-resolution-says-welfare-programs-discourage-marriage/article/2626854
How many US lawmakers advocating $15 minimum wage hire unpaid interns?:
http://dailysignal.com/2017/06/23/174-lawmakers-advocating-15-minimum-wage-hire-unpaid-interns/
Grenfell wasn’t an isolated tragedy. Poverty destroys many lives in Britain:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/23/grenfell-tower-poverty-destroys-lives-britain-ill-health
Britain’s largest private-sector employer, Tesco, gives staff pay raise as UK minimum wage imminent:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/23/grenfell-tower-poverty-destroys-lives-britain-ill-health
One in 10 families in Cornwall, UK, in fuel poverty:
http://www.cornwalllive.com/one-in-10-families-in-cornwall-in-fuel-poverty-even-as-duchy-is-warmest-county-in-uk/story-30426847-detail/story.html
Gig economy workers in UK should get minimum wage:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40496572
Why don’t we agonize about welfare cuts in the UK as much as public sector pay caps?:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/05/welfare-cuts-pay-caps-austerity-benefits-tax-credits
Irish Taoiseach pulls back on plans, now will only name and shame high amount “welfare fraudsters”:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/varadkar-rows-back-on-controversial-plan-to-name-all-fraudsters-1.3144643
Poverty report offers “robust advice” to Scottish government:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40480475