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Media & Policy News: 8 September 2017

September 8, 2017

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/

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This site contains general legal information for people in Ontario, Canada. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem. ISAC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization. ISAC is funded by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). The funding for this website is also provided by LAO. The views expressed in any of ISAC’s publications (including written, oral, or visual) are the views of the clinic and do not necessarily reflect those of LAO.