Top Stories
Nearly half of Canadians spend all or more of their take-home pay:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/09/07/half-of-working-canadians-living-paycheque-to-paycheque-survey-says.html
- Study shows getting a job doesn’t mean you won’t go hungry: http://www.nupge.ca/content/13108/getting-job-doesn%E2%80%99t-mean-you-won%E2%80%99t-go-hungry
Premier Wynne prorogues legislature; new session to start Monday with Throne Speech:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wynne-proroguing-1.3752965
- Government announcement: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2016/09/throne-speech-announced-for-september-12-2016.html
Poverty reduction advocate pleads to the Premier for Bill 185:
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6847829-poverty-reduction-advocate-pleads-to-the-premier-for-bill-185/
- Plan to study social assistance rates in limbo as Wynne prorogues legislature: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/bill-185-prorogue-1.3754797
25,000 march in Toronto’s Labour Day parade:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/05/25000-march-in-torontos-labour-day-parade.html
- Star editorial: Unions marching with fresh optimism this Labour Day: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/09/02/this-labour-day-unions-have-new-optimism-editorial.html
- A deadly fight for labour rights in BC: http://www.vancouversun.com/deadly+fight+labour+rights+Stephen+Hume/7175553/story.html
- Working a lot, for a little: Low-wage workers struggle to get by: http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/09/05/Log-Wage-Workers-Struggle/
- Labour Day: A time to celebrate how Canada’s unions make fairness work for everyone: http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/16/09/m8422866/labour-day-a-time-to-celebrate-how-canadas-unions-make-fairness-work-fo
Pilot project aims to protect vulnerable restaurant workers:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/08/30/pilot-project-aims-to-protect-vulnerable-restaurant-workers.html
- Star editorial: Time to shine a spotlight on abuse of restaurant workers: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/08/30/time-to-shine-a-spotlight-on-abuse-of-restaurant-workers-editorial.html
- WAC: Workers shouldn’t have to choose between their health and a job: http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8e3951a35d48e64f736884ea9&id=5ab33f1976
Six cities chosen as sites for anti-poverty case studies, to inform national poverty reduction strategy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/09/02/six-cities-chosen-as-test-sites-for-national-anti-poverty-strategy_n_11836624.html
- Federal release: Government announces Tackling Poverty Together Project: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1119579
People have to choose between heating and eating: Rising hydro costs hit Ontarians:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-september-1-2016-1.3744010/people-have-to-choose-between-heating-and-eating-rising-hydro-costs-hit-ontarians-1.3744013
- PowerStream customers owed $13 million in overdue payments: Ontario Energy Board: http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/6821293-powerstream-customers-owed-13-million-in-overdue-payments-ontario-energy-board/
- Kathleen Wynne says high cost of hydro is concern across province: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/wynne-hydro-costs-rising-electricity-rates-1.3751841
- Wynne signals hydro relief is coming for consumers: http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6845401-bearing-the-cost-wynne-signals-hydro-relief-is-coming-for-consumers/
Secretive WSIB drug policies putting injured workers at risk, critics say:
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/08/29/secretive-drug-policies-putting-injured-workers-at-risk-critics-say.html
- WSIB pledges to “enhance transparency” on drug coverage and Drug Advisory Committee: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/01/worker-compensation-board-pledges-to-enhance-transparency.html
- WSIB denies claim it pressured doctor on medical reports: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/08/27/worker-compensation-board-denies-claim-it-pressured-md-on-medical-reports.html
Toronto increases access to emergency dental care for low-income adults:
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2016/08/29/toronto-increases-access-to-emergency-dental-care-for-low-income-adults.html
- City of Toronto news release: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=af71df79b2df6410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&nrkey=50F9A0021A8E13F88525801E00576292
- Social Planning Toronto: Announcement encouraging but more work to be done on poverty reduction: http://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/news/dental-care-for-torontos-vulnerable-encouraging-more-work-to-be-done-on-poverty-reduction/
- Op-Ed: Small business should consider dental benefits: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/08/30/barron-small-business-should-consider-dental-benefits
Indigenous water systems: eliminating boil-water advisories within five years will fall short without changes:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/indigenous-water/article31589755/
- Op-ed: Why is Canada denying its Indigenous peoples clean water?: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/why-is-canada-denying-its-indigenous-peoples-clean-water/article31599791/
- Federal study shows Indigenous homelessness in cities on the rise: http://aptn.ca/news/2016/08/31/federal-study-shows-indigenous-homelessness-in-cities-on-the-rise/
- New website aims to help non-aboriginal Canadians learn about indigenous issues: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/new-website-aims-to-help-non-aboriginal-canadians-learn-about-indigenous-issues-1.3217692
- Canadians open to quotas to boost Indigenous representation: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/canadians-open-to-quotas-to-boost-indigenous-representation-in-government
BC’s disability benefit increase goes into effect: $11 net increase, after nine years, as bus pass nixed:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/british-columbia/disability-increase-amounts-to-11-extra-per-month-for-20-000-british-columbians-1.3746359
- Radio interview with BC Minister Michelle Stilwell: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2694384318
- Disability benefits in BC cut by bus-pass expense: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/disability-benefits-cut-by-bus-pass-expense-1.2333067
- People with disabilities rally to protest province’s bus pass policy: http://www.cheknews.ca/people-disabilities-rally-protest-provinces-bus-pass-policy-213860/
- Letter to the Editor: Nothing fair about taking away bus pass: http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/nothing-fair-about-taking-away-bus-pass-1.2337305
Anti-poverty group launches challenge of federal government’s political activity limits:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/charities-political-activities-canada-revenue-agency-canada-without-poverty-charter-legal-1.3744919
- Release from Canada Without Poverty: http://www.cwp-csp.ca/2016/09/canada-without-poverty-launches-charter-challenge/
Tax evasion will persist until Parliament Hill steps up:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/guy-caron/tax-evasion-kpmg_b_11665574.html
- What tax avoidance costs us, and what we’re giving up: http://ipolitics.ca/2016/08/26/what-tax-avoidance-costs-us-and-what-were-giving-up/
- “The Fraser Institute and Canadian Taxpayers Federation act as if governments just set tax money on fire, when all of it goes straight back into the economy”: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/manitoba/canadians-aren-t-economically-equal-1.3739104
New report on housing affordability shows Calgary’s the worst place to live for those in poverty:
http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/where-in-canada-is-it-hardest-to-be-very-poor
- CMHC says costs of national housing strategy likely too much for federal budget: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cmhc-national-housing-strategy-costs-1.3749946
Migrant workers need permanent residency: Justice for Migrant Workers launches Ontario-wide tour:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/windsor/permanent-residency-migrant-workers-1.3748911
- Employer to send injured migrant worker home despite needing medical care: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/employer-send-chatham-kent-injured-migrant-worker-home-despite-needing-medical-care-2156681.htm
- Migrant workers rally for better conditions: http://windsor.ctvnews.ca/migrant-workers-rally-for-better-conditions-1.3061709
Basic Income report coming soon: Ontario to test program amid warnings about costs, effectiveness:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/minimum-income-hugh-segal-ontario-budget-1.3740373
- A basic right: Will the once radical idea be embraced by our courts?: http://nationalmagazine.ca/Articles/Summer-2016/A-basic-right.aspx
ACORN Canada presses banks and investment companies to stop investing in predatory lending companies:
http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/16/09/m8423186/acorn-canada-presses-big-banks-and-investment-companies-to-stop-investi
Parliamentary Budget Officer says Canada Child Benefit will erode without inflationary adjustment:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/01/payments-will-erode-under-liberals-new-child-benefit-program-watchdog-says.html
Municipal governments must stop the housing and transit budget shell game and face the need for taxes:
http://maytree.com/policy-and-insights/opinion/the-housing-and-transit-budget-shell-game.html
StatsCan celebrates “best census since 1666”:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/best-census-ever-stats-can-1.3739857
Ontario
Now is the time to act on hunger:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ontario-association-of-food-banks/now-is-the-time-to-act-on-hunger_b_11821796.html
How to survive the long wait for affordable housing in Ontario:
http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/shared-values/how-to-survive-the-long-wait-for-affordable-housing-in-ontario
Ontario payday loan reforms: A drop in the bucket:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/08/31/ontario-payday-loan-reforms-drop-bucket/
- Ontario’s government could have fixed the payday loan industry: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/douglas-hoyes/ontario-government-payday-loans_b_11793186.html
- Hamilton Community Legal Clinic: Province getting it wrong on payday loans: http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/blog/?post=Province+Getting+it+Wrong+on+Payday+Loans&id=369
Government release: Ontario making access to services easier for people with developmental disabilities:
https://news.ontario.ca/mcss/en/2016/09/ontario-making-access-to-services-easier-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities.html
Government release: Ontario opening 35 new licensed child care rooms across province:
https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2016/09/ontario-opening-35-new-licensed-child-care-rooms-across-province.html
Government fact sheet: Social assistance clients to access drug coverage through OHIP cards:
http://www.dnssab.on.ca/services/Documents/Drug%20Eligibility%20Card%20Changes%20English.pdf
Letters to the Editor: Ombudsman’s report on developmental disability services welcome:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2016/09/04/disabilities-report-welcome.html
Reports, Events, Campaigns and Other Good Things
ISAC and partners event September 23: Where did they go?: WSIB disentitlement and ODSP:
http://injuredworkersonline.org/iwevents/event/tracking-social-assistance-outcomes-roundtable/
On the Radar: New rules in Ontario about tips and gratuities:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=acaece29df8d07c95ef84a763&id=e1b98b1c81
Homeless Hub Research Matters: Education and Homelessness:
http://homelesshub.ca/researchmatters
Around the Province
Ontario ACORN rallies to demand an increase in employment and asset exemptions from OW and ODSP:
http://acorncanada.org/ontario-acorns-let-us-work-odspow-action
More than 1,000 people show up for chaotic social assistance cheque pickup in Thunder Bay:
https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/more-than-1000-show-for-chaotic-dssab-cheque-depot-406904
Local Sault Ste. Marie group continues poverty reduction task:
http://www.saultstar.com/2016/08/29/local-group-continues-poverty-reduction-task
City of Hamilton renovates social housing units with unemployed youth apprentices:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/hamilton/news/city-renovates-social-housing-units-with-youth-apprentices-1.3741419
Doing social good to become part of doing business with City of Toronto:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6836161-doing-social-good-to-become-part-of-doing-business-with-city-of-toronto-says-mayor-john-tory/
- City pushing for diverse companies to bid on city contracts: https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2016/08/31/city-pushing-for-diverse-companies-to-bid-on-city-contracts.html
St. Catherines puts the brakes on $50 transit passes:
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/09/06/brakes-put-on-50-transit-passes
Nearly 300 people find permanent homes under Ottawa’s new Housing First strategy:
http://ottawastart.com/nearly-300-find-permanent-home-with-citys-housing-first-strategy/
Will London’s plan to regulate secondary suites put a number of people on the street?:
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/08/28/will-city-plan-leave-granny-flat
David Miller: The real consequences of hidden government cuts:
http://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/the-next-ontario/david-miller-the-real-consequences-of-hidden-government-cuts
Across the Country
Half a million people are going hungry in BC:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/half-a-million-families-are-going-hungry-in-b-c-report-says
- Finding healthy food a struggle for many families on Vancouver Island: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/for-many-families-on-island-finding-healthy-food-a-struggle-report-1.2335122
- Northern BC families have highest levels of food insecurity: https://www.biv.com/article/2016/9/northern-bc-families-have-highest-levels-food-inse/
Dear man’s human rights case against BC’s social assistance program settled but problem persists:
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/deaf-mans-human-rights-case-against-b-c-settled-but-problem-persists
Late welfare cheques causing hardship in Victoria – again:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/social-assistance-late-victoria-1.3736563
Nearly one in five Alberta workers earns $15 an hour or less:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/nearly-one-in-five-alberta-workers-earns-15-an-hour-or-less-advocacy-group-says-1.3744540
Protesters in Saskatchewan rail against government changes to disability benefits:
http://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/protesters-rail-against-government-changes-to-disability-benefits
Transportation, access to services linked to poverty in Tisdale, Sask:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/poverty-tisdale-transportation-housing-2016-1.3748735
Community groups protest travel restrictions on Québec welfare recipients:
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/community-groups-protest-quebecs-travel-restrictions-on-welfare-recipients
Montreal food bank says rising costs could force it to start charging for services:
http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/food-bank-says-rising-costs-could-force-it-to-start-charging-for-services-1.3047107
PEI Home and School Federation wants free lunches for all students:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-lunch-program-1.3741861
Wages in PEI continue to grow quickly, but are still the lowest in the country:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-weekly-earnings-june-1.3740878
National
MPPs on finance committee set to probe details, effects of CPP changes:
http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/mps-on-finance-committee-set-to-probe-details-effects-of-cpp-changes-1.3063893
- Finance Minister Morneau agrees to appear before committee but timeline unclear: http://globalnews.ca/news/2925803/bill-morneau-agrees-to-appear-before-finance-committee-on-cpp-but-timeline-unclear/
- Poll: Canadians misinformed on CPP expansion deal; oppose plan if it affects wages: http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadians-misinformed-on-cpp-expansion-deal-oppose-plan-if-it-affects-wages-592702101.html
- BC CPP consultations raise “red flags” as approval deadline looms: http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/b-c-cpp-consultations-raise-red-flags-as-approval-deadline-looms-87263
- BC the only province stepping up for small business owners’ concerns: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/small-business/when-it-comes-to-the-enhanced-cpp-b-c-is-the-only-province-stepping-up-for-small-business-owners-concerns
Federal strategy calls on subsidized rent to combat veteran homelessness:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/08/28/federal-veteran-homelessness-strategy-pushes-subsidized-rent.html
Federal student grants got bumped up starting August 1:
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/federal-student-grants-increased-aug-1-1.3700762
McQuaig: CETA will undermine Canadian democracy:
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2016/09/01/ceta-will-undermine-canadian-democracy-mcquaig.html
Why Canada’s economy was so ugly in the second quarter:
https://www.thestar.com/business/economy/2016/08/31/canadas-economy-turns-in-worst-performance-since-financial-crisis.html
- Canada economy has biggest quarterly drop in seven years, third-quarter rebound seen: http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN1161LP
- Big banks defy expectations with strong profit growth:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/08/25/big-banks-defy-expectations-with-strong-profit-growth.html
- Bank of Canada holds interest rate at 0.5%, predicts “substantial rebound” in second half:
http://www.vancouversun.com/bank+canada+holds+interest+rate+cent+predicts+substantial+rebound+second+half/12175885/story.html
- The CCB and income tax cuts now being used for bills and debt; economic impact yet to be felt: http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/07/trudeau-handouts-not-boosting-economy-poll
Pierre Poilievre: Harper, not Pierre Trudeau, actually reduced poverty:
http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/poilievre-harper-not-trudeau-sr-actually-reduced-poverty
- Letter to the Editor: No, Harper didn’t help the poor (scroll down to read): http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/letters/todays-letters-walking-the-line-and-a-cycling-fatality
International
Finally the truth about welfare in America – how many Blacks vs how many whites:
http://thewestsidegazette.com/finally-the-truth-about-welfare-how-many-blacks-vs-how-many-whites/
- Troy, NY to benefit from new statewide anti-poverty initiative: http://news10.com/2016/09/06/troy-to-benefit-from-new-anti-poverty-initiative/
- Editorial: Make action on poverty a national priority: https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/editorial-make-action-poverty-national-priority
- How US welfare compares around the globe: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37159686
Free money is not so funny anymore: Confessions of a former skeptic of basic income:
http://www.salon.com/2016/08/21/free-money-is-not-so-funny-anymore-confessions-of-a-former-skeptic-of-basic-income/
- Basic Income and the future of work: https://roarmag.org/magazine/basic-income-and-the-future-of-work/
- Overwhelming evidence that guaranteed income will work: http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/08/29/overwhelming-evidence-guaranteed-income-will-work
California lawmakers vote to expand overtime pay for farmworkers:
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/08/california-farmworkers-overtime-agriculture
Germany sees welfare benefit costs more than double:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/germanys-welfare-bill-rises-169-as-refugee-numbers-grow-1473077920
UK could eliminate poverty if it put in more effort, says Rowntree Foundation:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/707728/Government-could-eradicate-poverty-says-think-tank
- Rowntree Foundation urges “new deal” on poverty: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37283334
- Theresa May refuses to rule out more welfare cuts if economy suffers in run up to Brexit: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/theresa-refuses-rule-out-more-8768389
- Why John Clarke travelled 3,500 miles to join DPAC’s Week of Action: http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-415a-Why-Ive-travelled-3,500-miles-to-join-DPACs-week-of-action#.V9LTIjVWKT8
New Zealand’s homeless: Living in cars and garages:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/08/zealand-homeless-living-cars-garages-160811062112936.html
- International media batter New Zealand’s progressive social welfare legacy: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83543705/international-media-batter-new-zealands-progressive-social-welfare-legacy
“Healthy” welfare card could be fuelling black market for cash in Australia:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-08/concern-over-welfare-card-black-market/7824944
- Resistance to welfare cuts and support for minor parties in Australia grows: http://www.afr.com/news/resistance-to-welfare-cuts-and-support-for-minor-parties-grows-20160906-gra1gt
- Australia’s Labour party could shift position on welfare savings proposal: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/sep/08/labor-signals-shift-on-election-savings-plan-after-opposition-to-welfare-and-pension-cuts
How state tax policies can help mitigate poverty and alleviate growing income inequality:
http://www.taxjusticeblog.org/archive/2016/09/how_state_tax_policies_can_hel.php#.V9LCNzVWKT8
Starbucks and Amazon pay less tax than a sausage stand, Austria says:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-taxavoidance-austria-multinational-idUSKCN1182JB
- Denmark buys leaked data to investigate up to 600 Danish tax evaders: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/sep/07/panama-papers-denmark-becomes-first-country-to-buy-leaked-data
- Australia targets 100 taxpayers in Panama Papers investigation: http://www.international-adviser.com/news/1031304/australia-targets-100-tax-payers-panama-papers-investigation
- G20 calls for greater tax transparency:
http://www.international-adviser.com/news/1031299/g20-calls-tax-transparency
Apple’s got a $14.5 billion European tax bill:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/technology/apple-tax-eu-ireland.html
- Pittis: Europe’s ruling is good for almost everyone: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/apple-eu-ireland-tax-court-case-1.3741145
- Apple must now pay its taxes. This is a vindication of protest: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/aug/30/apple-tax-avoidance-vindication-protest-ttip
- Apple CEO calls EU ruling “total political crap”: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/apple-cook-eu-tax-1.3744042
- Apple says the EU can have taxes or jobs, but not both: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-eu-tax-ruling-profound-harmful-effect-investment-job-creation-2016-8
- Eurozone finance chief lashes out at Apple’s response to tax ruling: http://www.wsj.com/articles/eurozone-finance-chief-lashes-out-at-apples-response-to-tax-ruling-1473004954
- Canadian tax fairness advocates applaud EU’s decision: http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/08/31/tax-fairness-advocates-applaud-eu-apple-decision/
- Ireland agrees to appeal EU tax ruling: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/european-business/irish-government-agrees-to-appeal-eu-apple-tax-ruling/article31687460/
- “I am outraged that Apple is outraged by its tax bill”: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/31/what-apples-tax-bill-tells-us-about-capitalism
Poverty will fall only when there is a fundamental power shift:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/05/poverty-will-fall-only-when-there-is-a-fundamental-power-shift