Top Stories
Michelle Kungl’s incredible journey, and her most daunting barrier yet – social assistance in Ontario:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/09/02/michelle-kungls-incredible-journey.html
Ontario relaxes rules for ODSP, Ontario Works:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/ontario-changes-rules-on-supports-for-people-with-disabilities-1.4272062
- Disabled Ontarians will benefit from first substantial changes to support program in 20 years: https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/4533/disabled-ontarians-will-benefit-from-first-substantial-changes-to-support-program-in-20-years
- Ontario relaxes rules on support, medical coverage for people with disabilities: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/09/01/ontario-relaxes-rules-on-support-medical-coverage-for-people-with-disabilities.html
- Government release: Ontario boosting social assistance to help people get ahead: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2017/09/ontario-boosting-social-assistance-to-help-people-get-ahead.html
- Backgrounder: Improving Ontario’s social assistance programs: https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2017/09/improving-ontarios-social-assistance-programs.html
Lawsuit against Manitoba aims to give child support payments back to children on social assistance:
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/lawsuit-against-province-aims-to-give-child-support-payments-back-to-children-442061603.html
National pharmacare program could save $7.3 billion: Study:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/03/16/national-pharmacare-program-could-save-73-billion-study.html
- Sign the National Pharmacare Petition: A Plan for Everyone: http://www.aplanforeveryone.ca/
New eviction rules in effect to protect Ontario tenants:
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/new-eviction-rules-in-effect-today-to-protect-ontario-tenants-1.3571525
- Landlords can no longer evict tenants without compensation: https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/08/31/landlords-can-no-longer-evict-tenants-without-compensation.html
- Government release: Ontario curbing abuse of unlawful evictions: https://news.ontario.ca/mho/en/2017/09/ontario-curbing-abuse-of-unlawful-evictions.html
- Steps to Justice: Information on the new rules for landlords taking over rental units for their personal use:
http://mailchi.mp/cleo/steps-to-justice-has-information-on-the-new-rules-for-landlords-taking-over-rental-units-for-their-personal-use?e=63ebc9e633
Star editorial: A good year for workers’ rights in Ontario:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/09/04/a-good-year-for-workers-rights-in-ontario-editorial.html
- Sudbury Chamber of Commerce says minimum wage hike too much, too fast: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sudbury-chamber-minimum-wage-1.4262337
- Minimum wage increase will come with $3.6 million price tag for City of Ottawa, says staff:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2017/08/28/minimum-wage-increase-will-come-with-3-6-million-price-tag-for-city-say-staff.html - Faith leaders see how minimum wage hike will improve lives: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/25/faith-leaders-see-how-minimum-wage-hike-will-improve-lives.html
- Moving toward Decent Work: How changing employment standards are impacting the non-profit sector: https://charityvillage.com/content.aspx?topic=Moving_toward_Decent_Work_How_changing_employment_standards_are_impacting_the_nonprofit_sector#.WbKkcsa1tEY
- Increasing the minimum wage to $15 can only pay off: Olive: https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/09/01/increasing-the-minimum-wage-to-15-can-only-pay-off-olive.html
About half of Canadian workers living paycheque to paycheque: Survey:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/about-half-of-canadian-workers-living-paycheque-to-paycheque-survey/article36181891/
“Deeply regretful” Susur Lee to reimburse workers after illegally docking tips at his eateries:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/susar-lee-restaurant-apology-1.4265403
Ontario to begin collecting data on students’ race, ethnicity, hoping to boost achievement: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-students-race-based-data-1.4278303
Finance Minister Morneau: Tax changes are about levelling the playing field:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/tax-changes-are-about-levelling-the-playing-field/article36161429/
- Reality check on the federal government’s tax reform: http://www.cbc.ca/listen/shows/the-house/segment/13903569
- The Liberals can and should win this fight against the rich: http://nationalpost.com/opinion/stephen-gordon-the-liberals-can-and-should-win-this-fight-against-the-rich
- Star editorial: Bill Morneau should show courage on tax reform: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2017/09/05/bill-morneau-should-show-courage-on-tax-reform-editorial.html
- CCPA on tax changes: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/programs/ottawamorning/ccpa-on-tax-changes-1.4280493
- Tax reform the first true test for Trudeau: http://www.hilltimes.com/2017/09/06/tax-reform-first-true-test-trudeau/118012?mc_cid=b1761b131f&mc_eid=e23a377433
- Take Action: Tell Morneau to hold firm on closing private corporation tax loophole: http://www.taxfairness.ca/en/action/hold-firm-closing-private-corporation-tax-loophole
Canada demands US end “right to work” laws as part of NAFTA talks:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/canada-demands-us-end-right-to-work-laws-as-part-of-nafta-talks/article36160015/
Mexican farm worker in BC says he was told heart attack symptoms caused by “too much chili”:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/migrant-worker-mexican-farm-labour-heart-damage-cranberry-richmond-bc-1.4261565
Think abused women should “just leave”? Then give them somewhere to go:
http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/shared-values/think-abused-women-should-just-leave-then-give-them-somewhere-to-go
Energy poverty in Canada requires creative solutions:
https://www.cpj.ca/energy-poverty-requires-creative-solutions
UN rebukes Canada’s record on racial discrimination:
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/08/28/1101187/0/en/UN-Rebukes-Canada-s-Record-on-Racial-Discrimination.html
Surviving again: Holocaust survivors in Canada cope with poverty:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/25/surviving-again-how-needy-holocaust-survivors-cope-with-poverty.html
Vancouver anti-poverty activist invested into Order of Canada:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-anti-poverty-activist-invested-into-order-of-canada
Federal government seeks “substantive” rehaul of Indigenous Affairs Department:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/08/28/liberal-government-seeks-substantive-rehaul-of-indigenous-affairs-department_a_23188483/
- Federal Cabinet shuffle announcement backgrounder: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2017/08/28/new-ministers-support-renewed-relationship-indigenous-peoples
- “I worry about this”: Trudeau’s move to dissolve Indigenous Affairs Department prompts concern: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-dissolve-indigenous-affairs-worried-1.4265842
How Ottawa’s Budget 2018 can reduce poverty and homelessness:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/how-budget-2018-can-reduce-poverty-and-homelessness/article36097080/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
Ontario
Ontario takes too long to move on social housing fix:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/28/libs-take-too-long-to-move-on-social-housing-fix
Province fields basic income questions in Hamilton:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7525586-province-fields-basic-income-questions-in-hamilton/
Why thousands of Ontario plant workers may take to the picket line this fall:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/cami-automotive-workers-strike-this-fall-1.4264411
Coverage for adult psychotherapy urged by Ontario’s health system watchdog:
http://www.lfpress.com/2017/08/28/therapy-coverage-urged-by-watchdog
Ontario deficit $3.3 billion lower than expected, province says:
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/2016-deficit-was-3-3b-lower-than-expected-province-says-1.3579611
- Government release: Ontario releases 2016-17 Public Accounts: https://news.ontario.ca/tbs/en/2017/09/ontario-releases-2016-17-public-accounts.html
Government release: Ontario adds 31,100 jobs in August:
https://news.ontario.ca/medg/en/2017/09/post-1.html
Government release: Ontario providing support to those affected by opioid crisis:
https://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2017/08/ontario-providing-support-to-those-affected-by-opioid-crisis.html
Government release: Ontario launches Green Ontario Fund to help people save money and fight climate change:
https://news.ontario.ca/ene/en/2017/08/ontario-launches-the-green-ontario-fund-to-help-people-save-money-and-fight-climate-change.html
Depths of Wynne’s unpopularity revealed in Ontario government poll:
http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/ontario-govt-polling-shows-improving-numbers-on-controversial-hydro-file
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
September 11: Workers’ Comp is a Right!: Campaign Launch and Community Forum: Toronto
http://mailchi.mp/e35231a729b0/campaign-launch-community-forum?e=8423e9051c
How renters can organize a tenants’ association: Reasonable Doubt:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/how-renters-can-organize-a-tenants-association-reasonable-doubt/
Disability Tax Fairness Campaign:
http://www.fightingforfairness.ca/index.php?navID=1
Ontario begins posting more detailed reports on Ontario Works and ODSP caseload statistics:
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/open/index.aspx
Join Dignity for All’s “Chew on This!” event this October:
http://us15.campaign-archive2.com/?u=18b51492e01bc62f4597526aa&id=85ec31eb54&e=466e6f0bfa
Housing affordability and inequality: Low-income renters in Ontario:
http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2017/08/22/sepulveda-ontario-rental-market/
Canadian definition of ending homelessness: Measuring functional and absolute zero:
http://homelesshub.ca/endinghomelessness
Homeless Hub newsletter:
http://mailchi.mp/edu/costs-managing-homelessness-too-high-2883329?e=6da7d6f883
Study compares access to mental health and addictions care services across provinces:
http://www.themanitoban.com/2017/09/study-compares-access-mental-health-addictions-care-services-across-provinces/31913/
Stats Can: Labour Force Survey, August 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170908/dq170908a-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Stats Can: Payroll employment, earnings and hours, June 2017:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170830/dq170830b-eng.htm?CMP=mstatcan
Around the Province
Peterborough GE plant with lethal legacy closing down, 350 people will lose their jobs:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/08/25/peterborough-ge-plant-with-lethal-legacy-closing-down.html
Arnprior has highest child poverty rate in Renfrew County:
https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/B_C_Premier_announces_free_tuition_for_youth_in_care/
50 visited pop-up drug use tent in Ottawa in 3 days, nurse says:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/pop-up-ottawa-drug-use-site-numbers-1.4264769?cmp=rss
“Help on the way” for Toronto families waiting for childcare subsidies, Tory says:
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/help-on-the-way-for-toronto-families-waiting-for-childcare-subsidies-tory-says-1.3570469
Ontario kickstarts Toronto Community Housing repairs, while advocates slam new funds:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tch-provincial-funding-1.4263407
- Toronto mayor warns no guarantees on the future of social housing units despite funding:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2017/08/24/john-tory-warns-no-guarantees-on-future-of-social-housing.html
Technicality could leave two dozen vulnerable older women homeless:
http://toronto.citynews.ca/2017/08/24/technicality-leave-2-dozen-vulnerable-older-women-homeless/
2400 images. 100 cameras. Seeing Toronto through a different lens:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/25/2400-images-100-cameras-seeing-toronto-through-a-different-lens.html
Protesters begin fight against destruction of green space and affordable housing in The Junction:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/08/26/protesters-begin-fight-against-destruction-of-green-space-and-affordable-housing-in-the-junction.html
Mobile vet clinic in Toronto curbs cat and dog population – and it’s free:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/27/mobile-vet-clinic-curbs-cat-and-dog-population
“Crazy-busy already” low-income veterinary clinic opens in Waterloo Region:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/kitchener-low-income-east-village-animal-hospital-patkus-cook-1.4263072
Serving up slices of hope in Timmins:
http://www.timminspress.com/2017/08/25/serving-up-slices-of-hope
Across the Country
Nowhere to turn: Halifax single mom speaks out on lack of affordable housing:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/halifax/2017/08/28/nowhere-to-turn-halifax-single-mom-speaks-out-on-lack-of-affordable-housing.html
Manitoba cuts funding to centre for low-income Winnipeggers months after 3-year agreement approved:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/centre-flavie-laurent-low-income-funding-cut-1.4264474
As confidence returns to Alberta, the government’s budgeting can take a bow:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/27/as-confidence-returns-to-alberta-ndp-budgeting-can-take-a-bow
BC tenants are about to get hit with the largest rent increases allowed in five years:
https://www.straight.com/news/955601/bc-tenants-are-about-get-hit-largest-rent-increases-allowed-five-years
BC’s first poverty-reduction minister explains how he’ll make the province more affordable:
http://vancouversun.com/news/politics/b-c-s-first-poverty-reduction-minister-explains-how-hell-make-the-province-more-affordable
BC government boosts health coverage for low-income kids:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-government-boosts-health-coverage-for-low-income-kids-1.4273228
BC Premier announces free tuition for youth in care:
https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Provincial/B_C_Premier_announces_free_tuition_for_youth_in_care/
BC to reinstate Human Rights Commission after 15 years:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-ndp-to-reinstate-human-rights-commission-after-15-years-1.4236078
BC workers vulnerable to wage theft, bullying, says labour group:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-workers-vulnerable-to-wage-theft-bullying-says-labour-group-1.4274784
Child poverty “hidden” scourge in BC’s Parksville Qualicum Beach:
https://www.pqbnews.com/news/child-poverty-hidden-scourge-in-parksville-qualicum-beach/
Families in Victoria, BC find support from food that would have gone to waste:
https://www.vicnews.com/news/program-keeps-food-from-going-to-waste/
Lawyers band together to call for sweeping changes to BC’s “badly broken” justice system:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lawyers-call-for-justice-reforms-1.4269001
National
How asylum seekers make refugee claims, and why they take so long:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/asylum-seekers-refugee-claims-delays-1.4261881
Lessons from Sears bankruptcy:
http://www.thelondoner.ca/2017/08/25/lessons-from-sears-bankruptcy
Stats Can tries to close data gaps with launch of infrastructure census:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/statscan-tries-to-close-data-gaps-with-launch-of-infrastructure-census/article36094684/
Rising household debt could be drag on long-term growth: federal document:
http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/rising-household-debt-could-be-drag-on-long-term-growth-federal-document
Ottawa’s poverty plan overlooks the best fix of all: Working for a living:
http://business.financialpost.com/opinion/ottawas-poverty-plan-overlooks-the-best-fix-of-all-working-for-a-living
Bank of Canada, major lenders hike rates as economy roars:
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/growth/bank-of-canada-hikes-interest-rates-as-economy-roars/article36182110/
Star editorial: Fraser Institute’s annual anti-tax report is still bogus after all these years:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/08/27/as-confidence-returns-to-alberta-ndp-budgeting-can-take-a-bow
UN calls out Ottawa over lengthy immigration detention:
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7534051-un-calls-out-ottawa-over-lengthy-immigration-detention/
Why the Nordic social democratic model can’t be implemented from Ottawa:
http://www.broadbentinstitute.ca/tom_parkin_/nordic_socialdemocracy_in_canada
Half of Canadians say their country is “too generous” toward illegal border crossers:
http://mailchi.mp/angusreid/half-of-canadians-say-their-country-is-too-generous-toward-illegal-border-crossers?e=9e305f90ee
PMO release: PM to host First Ministers’ Meeting and meeting with National Indigenous leaders:
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2017/09/07/prime-minister-host-first-ministers-meeting-and-meeting-national-indigenous-leaders
Government release: Government of Canada takes next steps toward implementing the reinstated and modernized court challenges program:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-takes-next-steps-toward-implementing-the-reinstated-and-modernized-court-challenges-program-642499043.html
International
Should the rich be taxed more? A new paper shows unequivocally yes:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/27/should-the-rich-be-taxed-more-a-new-paper-shows-unequivocally-yes
Universal basic income may be adopted in Scotland providing a weekly cash payment for life:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/universal-basic-income-scotland-week-cash-payment-life-nicola-sturgeon-first-minister-snp-a7934131.html
Food poverty is the new normal in the UK. We adopted it from the States:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/29/food-poverty-is-new-normal-in-uk-we-adopted-from-the-states
One in eight UK workers struggle to afford food: Survey:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/07/one-in-eight-workers-struggle-to-afford-food-finds-tuc-survey
Australia’s Prime Minister says he’s not sure if drug testing welfare recipients will work:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/aug/27/turnbull-says-hes-not-sure-if-drug-testing-welfare-recipients-will-work
Australia cuts welfare benefits for people seeking asylum:
http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2017/08/28/govt-cuts-asylum-seeker-welfare.html
- “Shocking cruelty”: Government launches welfare crackdown on asylum seekers: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/27/shocking-cruelty-government-launches-welfare-crackdown-asylum-seekers-australia
- Government accused of “new low” after booting asylum seekers off welfare: http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2017/08/27/asylum-seekers-visa-welfare/
Lifelong welfare of 100,000 bludgers costs Australia $15 billion:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lifelong-welfare-of-100000-bludgers-costs-15-billion/news-story/16477a29641519dc1ced54168771119a
- Australia’s government is trying to sell clichés of welfare bludgers, but voters aren’t buying it:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/29/the-government-is-trying-to-sell-cliches-of-welfare-bludgers-but-voters-arent-buying-it
“New Zealand First” leader announces pledge to increase minimum wage to $20 / hour:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503346&objectid=11912633
St. Louis gave minimum-wage workers a raise. On Monday, it was taken away:
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-st-louis-minimum-wage-20170828-story.html
US Congress wants to change the Americans with Disabilities Act and undermine the civil rights of people with disabilities:
https://www.aclu.org/blog/disability-rights/congress-wants-change-americans-disabilities-act-and-undermine-civil-rights
New study suggests minimum wage leads to automation of low-skill workers:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gregoryferenstein/2017/08/27/new-study-suggests-minimum-wage-leads-to-automation-of-low-skill-workers/#74a9534d6ffa
Top economists endorse universal basic income:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/francescoppola/2017/08/31/top-economists-endorse-universal-basic-income/#4f21451315ae
How cities are offering up relief for renters:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/canada/2017/08/28/metro-cities-how-cities-are-offering-up-relief-for-renters.html
Is living in poverty really a “mind-set”?:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/08/25/is-living-in-poverty-really-a-mind-set/