Media & Policy News: 22 January 2016

Top Stories

Oxfam: Wealth of richest 1% now equal to other 99%, and 62 people’s wealth now equal to the poorest half of humanity:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35339475

• Here’s how rich those 62 people are: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/how-the-worlds-richest-people-own-more-than-half-the-planetdoes/article28236362/?click=sf_globefb
• Oxfam calls for a crackdown on tax havens: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/01/super-rich-62-people-world-160118033855025.html
• Wealth of richest 62 people has risen 44% since 2010: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/richest-62-people-own-same-as-half-worlds-population-oxfam-davos-1.3408049
• “No one credible will say this is good for the world or good for the economy”: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/global-wealth-inequality_56991defe4b0ce4964242e09?
• “Far from trickling down, income and wealth are instead being sucked upwards at an alarming rate”: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/01/widening-wealth-gap/424695/
• Oxfam petition to Prime Minister Trudeau on poverty, inequality, and women’s rights: https://act.oxfam.org/canada/ask-our-new-prime-minister

Spec Editorial: 2016 is the perfect time to fix social assistance:
http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6210815-the-spectator-s-view-it-s-a-perfect-time-to-fix-social-assistance/

• Spec Op-Ed: To fix social assistance, talk to recipients: http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6232814-to-fix-social-assistance-talk-to-recipients/
• Yes, social assistance must be fixed, but no one should lose out: http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/blog/?post=Transformation+of+Ontario+Social+Assistance+System+Needed+but+those+with+Disabilities+Should+not+be+Forgotten&id=320

Labour Ministry inspection finds 78% of Ontario employers violating the Employment Standards Act:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/20/inspection-blitz-finds-three-quarters-of-bosses-breaking-law.html

• Star editorial: Educate employers on responsibilities to workers: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/01/20/educate-employers-on-responsibilities-to-workers-editorial.html

National health ministers agree to tackle drug prices, home care, and mental health:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/health-ministers-vancouver-1.3414317

• Ontario Health Minister Hoskins on Metro Morning about the potential for a national Pharmacare plan: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/pharmacare-1.3415173

CCPA Ontario: No “debt wall” in Ontario:
http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/01/21/ontario-not-facing-debt-wall-says-study-of-provinces-fiscal-health.html

• Here’s the report: “No Crisis on the Horizon: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/no-crisis-horizon

Research shows highly skilled second-generation migrants face an “ethnic penalty” – they earn less than the general Canadian population even though they’re more likely to have a university degree:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/migrant-workers-face-ethnic-penalty-in-job-market-u-of-a-researcher-1.3402753

Star letters to the editor: Top CEO salaries are immoral:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editors/2016/01/16/top-ceo-salaries-immoral.html

CCPA: Trans-Pacific Partnership will cost Canada 58,000 and won’t grow the economy:
http://behindthenumbers.ca/2016/01/18/tpp-will-cost-canada-jobs-wont-grow-economy/

“Just because I’m on welfare doesn’t mean I need to look poor”:
https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/just-because-im-on-welfare-doesnt-mean-i-need-to-162023195.html

Ontario

Is getting the Ontario Works Basic Needs Allowance helping or hindering youth who are homeless?
http://homelesshub.ca/blog/basic-needs-allowance-helping-or-hindering-youth

Ontario moves forward with provincial pension plan:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-moves-forward-with-provincial-pension-plan/article28235352/

Students calling for a funded tuition freeze in Ontario:
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&type=user&func=display&sid=39525

Minister of Health says Ontario hospitals will have to offer discounted parking options:
http://www.cp24.com/news/ontario-hospitals-will-have-to-offer-discounted-parking-options-hoskins-1.2741687

Reports, Events, Campaigns

Study: Growing up poor alters children’s brains and increases likelihood of depression:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/children/12106267/Growing-up-poor-alters-childrens-brains-and-increases-likelihood-of-depression-study.html

• More detailed coverage: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305208.php

CLEO: On the Radar: Misclassifying employees as independent contractors:
http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=acaece29df8d07c95ef84a763&id=705deb4b74

Canadians for Tax Fairness Book Review: The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The scourge of tax havens:
http://www.taxfairness.ca/en/blog/book-review-hidden-wealth-nations

Wellesley Institute Event February 9: Improving Access to Health Care for People who are Uninsured:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/improving-access-to-health-care-for-people-who-are-uninsured-tickets-20710123537

Mowat Centre report: Back from the Brink: Lessons from the federal-provincial dispute about the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan:
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=1bb1469277169753440444d73&id=321630eb36&e=21403e3832

Worth Repeating: The impact of converting federal non-refundable tax credits into refundable credits:
http://www.policyschool.ucalgary.ca/?q=content/impact-converting-federal-non-refundable-tax-credits-refundable-credits

Around the Province

Goodwill Toronto stores across the GTA close abruptly as CEO says they face “a cash flow crisis”:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/17/16-ontario-goodwill-stores-shut-down.html

• Stores will be closed until further notice: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gta-goodwill-closures-1.3408837
• Workers blast charity’s CEO over closures: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/20/goodwill-workers-blast-charitys-ceo-over-store-closures.html
• Star editorial: Goodwill must answer questions and rebuild trust: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/01/19/goodwill-must-answer-questions-and-rebuild-trust-editorial.html
• Goodwill CEO says workers will be paid today, and ROEs are on the way: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/22/goodwill-boss-promises-laid-off-workers-back-pay-and-employment-records.html
• Keenan: Goodwill’s descent is a disagrace: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/01/22/goodwills-descent-a-disgrace-keenan.html
• Unions could save Goodwill Toronto from incompetent management: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/nora-loreto/2016/01/unions-could-save-goodwill-toronto-incompetent-management

Haldimand-Norfolk has Ontario’s highest percentage of residents without access to healthy food:
http://www.norfolknews.ca/news-story/6239679-target-poverty-to-eliminate-food-insecurity-health-unit/

First ever homelessness count in Thunder Bay underway:
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/380016/First-ever_local_homeless_count_underway_

• Local couple who are homeless express thanks for attention to homelessness: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/380041/Homeless_couple_expresses_thanks_for_count
• Homeless count turnout overwhelms organizer: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/380045/Homeless_count_turnout_shocks_organizers
• People in Thunder Bay who are homeless are hoping the count leads to housing: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-homeless-hoping-count-leads-to-housing-1.3407951

Hamilton advocates plead for City to continue funding trustee program for people on social assistance:
http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/6238358-hamilton-advocates-plead-for-city-to-fund-needed-social-service-program/

Hamilton Legal Clinic: What is gentrification? And what can we do about it?
http://www.hamiltonjustice.ca/blog/?post=What+is+Gentrification%3F++What+can+we+do+about+it%3F&id=318

Frontenac County community group gets Trillium grant for transportation for people on OW and ODSP:
http://www.thewhig.com/2016/01/15/transportation-group-receives-trillium-grant

Toronto’s anti-poverty strategy overlooks the possibilities of green jobs:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/city-hall/toronto-anti-poverty-strategy-overlooks-green-jobs-possibilities/

Across the Country

NWT mother forced to evict two of her kids to get income support to stay housed:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/nwt-rental-support-overcrowding-1.3396065

Saskatoon father calls for living wages for child care workers:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatoon-father-calls-for-higher-wages-for-child-care-workers-1.3403031

Quebec daycares protest $120 million in provincial funding cuts:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-daycares-protest-cuts-spending-1.3408380

• Daycares threaten closures over these cuts: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-daycare-strikes-1.3400055

Quebec welfare cuts mean some drug rehab centres can’t treat people who can’t pay the daily fees:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/rehab-centre-melaric-dianova-welfare-1.3408032

• Drug and alcohol rehab centres worried about welfare cuts: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-welfare-cuts-worry-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centres-1.3063151

A majority of Quebecers support principles of the Charter; many express intolerance towards those receiving social assistance:
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/a-majority-of-quebecers-support-the-key-principles-of-the-charter-of-human-rights-and-freedoms-according-to-a-new-survey-565279021.html

Inuk man who is homeless gave teenager the coat off his back – profile here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/putulik-qumaq-homeless-inuk-man-1.3403482?cmp=abfb

EI numbers paint grisly picture in Alberta and Saskatchewan:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/employment-insurance-numbers-paint-grisly-picture-in-alberta-saskatchewan/article28306709/

• Edmonton company offers “layoff insurance” to cover six months of mortgage payments: http://edmontonjournal.com/business/local-business/layoff-insurance-suitable-for-the-times-edmonton-business-says
• Unemployed oil and gas workers hope for urgent improvements to EI: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/unemployed-calgary-oil-and-gas-worker-hopes-for-ei-extension-1.3404942
• Federal Finance Minister Morneau says he’s listening to Albertans’ concerns: http://www.660news.com/2016/01/15/morneau-assures-hes-listening-to-albertans-concerns/

CBC Atlantic Broadcaster Jackie Torrens discovers what it’s like to live on welfare for one week:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2674231087

Winnipeg “Poverty Fire” event to crowdsource solutions to racism and poverty:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/01/21/winnipeg-event-to-crowdsource-solutions-to-racism-poverty.html

Vancouver’s Insite supervised-injection site gets stamp of approval from Health Minister Philpott:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/insite-gets-stamp-of-approval-from-canadas-health-minister/article28332223/

Yukon man who has dementia should not be sitting in a jail cell: advocates:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-ndp-dementia-titus-charlie-jail-1.3402784

Newborn taken from Calgary mother 24 hours after birth despite no concerns about caregiving:
http://www.metronews.ca/news/calgary/2016/01/13/newborn-taken-from-calgary-mother-24-hours-after-birth.html

National

First Nations seek urgent action on deplorable health conditions:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/first-nations-seek-urgent-action-on-deplorable-health-conditions/article28210132/

Canada urgently needs a national housing program:
http://rabble.ca/news/2016/01/canada-urgently-needs-national-housing-program-say-advocates

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women inquiry must deal with indigenous women’s inequality:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/missingwomen-carolyn-bennett-inquiry-feminism-1.3407921?cmp=abfb

Advocate says Canada’s refugee system has undergone a “sea change” since the Liberals took over:
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/01/18/liberals-introduce-sea-change-to-canadas-refugee-system/

• Hitting pause on resettling Syrian refugees to allow agencies time to find appropriate housing: http://globalnews.ca/news/2464134/syrian-families-fill-up-ottawa-hotels-as-federal-government-pauses-flow-of-refugees/

CPP Investment Board has come out against divesting from fossil fuel companies:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/scott-vrooman/2016/01/canada-pension-plan-thinks-it-can-convince-morality-intolerant-

The Canadian dollar is falling too far and too fast, making currency instability a big concern:
http://business.financialpost.com/investing/trading-desk/currency-instability-now-a-serious-concern-for-canada?__lsa=fbcd-9488

Feds’ two-year $10 billion infrastructure plan to focus on “deferred maintenance backlog” including social infrastructure:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/amarjeet-sohi-toronto-1.3413383

• 2016 Canadian Infrastructure Report Card: http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f47fe5ecd01cfe0eeeec18182&id=df2da8cc57&e=b26be9b7f6

Feds wind down controversial CRA political-activity audit program:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/01/20/liberals-wind-down-controversial-political-audits-of-charitable-groups_n_9030304.html

All Pearson, no Pierre: Inside Trudeau’s inner circle:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/inside-trudeaus-inner-circle/article28079401/?click=sf_globefb

Preston Manning: Recharging the Canadian right:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/why-the-canadian-right-needs-to-recharge-and-how-to-do-it/article28225596/

International

Greek unions to hold general strike on pension reform:
http://www.benefitscanada.com/news/greek-unions-to-hold-general-strike-on-pension-reform-76084

Muslim women immigrants must improve their English, or else, says UK’s David Cameron:
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/01/18/muslim-women-must-improve-their-english-or-else-says-britains-prime-minister.html

UK anti-poverty tsar Frank Field says Tories’ welfare reform will fail to make work pay:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/benefit-reforms-in-ruins-says-7196792

UK Prime Minister can’t “blitz” poverty by bulldozing housing estates:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/19/cameron-poverty-bulldozing-housing-estates

1.5 million UK benefit claimants may be facing destitution after disappearing from the welfare system:
http://www.themanitoban.com/2016/01/the-systemic-issues-behind-trumps-following/26603/

National cashless welfare card “aimed at stemming alcohol abuse” planned by Australia’s government:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/national-cashless-welfare-card-plan-by-turnbull-government/news-story/097dfa3a1bfc867afa5f8b298c43c248

Nearly half of Washington DC’s homeless youth are LGBTQ:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/nearly-half-of-homeless-youth-are-lgbtq-first-ever-city-census-finds/2016/01/13/0cb619ae-ba2e-11e5-829c-26ffb874a18d_story.html

Kansas lawmakers want to cut off welfare benefits for some lottery winners:
http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article55841685.html

Legislation to require drug testing of welfare recipients in West Virginia gaining traction:
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/651948/Welfare-Drug-Testing-Bill-Moves-Forward.html?nav=515

Governor Andrew Cuomo announces $25 million to address “rampant inequality” in upstate New York:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/12th-proposal-governor-cuomo-s-2016-agenda-combatting-poverty-reducing-rampant-inequality

How social insecurity propels support for politicians like Donald Trump:
http://www.themanitoban.com/2016/01/the-systemic-issues-behind-trumps-following/26603/

Ending poverty is possible: A takeaway from Martin Luther King Jr:
https://bangordailynews.com/2016/01/17/opinion/contributors/ending-poverty-is-possible-a-takeaway-from-martin-luther-king-jr/

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