We Are Ontario Reports

RELEASE: Ontario Takes Last Place in Jobs, Social Programs and Income Equality

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 19, 2015  MEDIA RELEASE Ontario Takes Last Place in Jobs, Social Programs and Income Equality:  New Report Says Fully Half of Ontarians are Caught in a Backslide (Toronto, Ontario) – An Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 labour and community groups concerned with growing inequality released an alarming report today that delivers a grim warning about the erosion of income transfer programs, social programs and a labour force that is leaving millions behind. “Ontario is dead last in funding for social…

 

ADVISORY: Startling New Report to Show that Ontario is the toughest Province to Live and Work

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 18, 2015  MEDIA ADVISORY Startling New Report to Show that Ontario is the toughest Province to Live and Work: Coalition of 90 Community Groups to Release Damning Report on Ontario’s Rising Inequality (Toronto, Ontario) – A cross-Ontario coalition concerned with growing income inequality is releasing a damning new report that shows that for all but the highest income earners, Ontario has become the most difficult province to earn a living and raise a family. The report will demonstrate that by nearly…

 

Harper’s Record on Income, Inequality and Canada’s Social Safety Net

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Harper’s Record on Income, Inequality and Canada’s Social Safety Net With October 19th Election only days away, the Ontario Common Front and the Ontario Federation of Labour has put together a fact sheet, entitled “Ruthless: The Harper Record on Income, Inequality and Canada’s Social Safety Net.” This informative document reminds voters about the Harper cuts to Old Age Security, Health Care, Arts and Culture, Women’s Advocacy, Pay Equity, Humanitarian Groups and First Nations/Aboriginal Programs. The fact sheet also comments on Harper’s track record when it…

 

OFL 13th Biennial Convention

Action: Campaigns or Events | Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The 13th biennial convetion of the OFL will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel from November 22-27, 2015 DEADLINE FOR RESOLUTIONS: OCTOBER 26 DEADLINE FOR CREDENTIALS: NOVEMBER 9

 

Demand for electricity bill assistance is growing in Waterloo Region

Action: Reports

Where: Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Southwestern Ontario

As Waterloo Region residents’ hydro bills continue to skyrocket, 919 people sought help from the Waterloo Region Energy Assistance Program in 2013. Most of those recipients – 55 per cent – live in Kitchener. Cambridge recipients totalled 32 per cent and Waterloo recipients totalled 9 per cent, with four per cent going to the townships. The amount dolled out by the region for the program was $461,608, paid to low-income consumers whose hydro bills were in arrears. A staff report paints a picture of the…

 

Low income transit in Toronto and the struggle to make transit free

Action: Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA

The passing of a resolution to “develop a Policy Framework for Toronto Transit Fare Equity for consideration by the end of 2015” by Toronto City Council on July 8th, 2014 is a step forward. It reflects a series of struggles by low income people, social activists working in community movements, social agencies, transit activists, and allies in the trenches of the municipal government bureaucracy and government to address a particularly important issue of social justice – equal access to urban mobility – and a significant item in…

 

Why Ontario’s Retirement Pension Plan is a good idea

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Like universal health care in 1960, the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP) is a plan without proof, so it can be criticized as impractical, too expensive, likely to fail, likely to offer poor returns, be open to political interference and so on. You have to have faith that it can work and be as efficient as the Canada Pension Plan, a model other countries turn to. Click HERE to read more:  

 

Ontario is left with few options to fix its revenue problem

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

When it comes to seeking new revenues, some politicians like to claim that economic growth will somehow increase and greater tax revenues will naturally follow. More growth would certainly be nice, but it isn’t something a government can just will into being. The Ontario government needs to find more revenues in the actual economy, not some fantasy one. Ms. Wynne will therefore be thinking about raising tax rates. And she will immediately encounter a tension between which taxes are least economically damaging and which are…

 

Keys To Growth For Alberta’s Manufacturing Sector

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Where:

Supporting and educating Alberta’s workforce is key to continued economic growth. See how unions in Alberta are keeping the province one step ahead. See More by Clicking HERE.

 

POVERTY: Community gardens grow friendships

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Click HERE to learn more about how community gardens in the Niagara region have benefited both   the people and the community as a whole.

 

Anti-poverty groups push for local living wage

Action: Campaigns or Events | Reports

Where: Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Local anti-poverty groups will be launching a campaign  in November calling for a living wage amid a Statistics Canada report showing that minimum wage earners are no better off today than they were in the 1970s. Even the new Ontario minimum wage of $11 an hour still falls 18 per cent below the poverty line. Click HERE to find out more.

 

Canada Revenue Agency says ‘preventing poverty’ not allowed as goal for charity

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Canada Revenue Agency has told a well-known charity that it can no longer try to prevent poverty around the world, it can only alleviate poverty – because preventing poverty might benefit people who are not already poor. The bizarre bureaucratic brawl over a mission statement is yet more evidence of deteriorating relations between the Harper government and some parts of Canada’s charitable sector. Click HERE for the entire report.

 

Inclusive zoning: Vancouver’s done it, can Toronto be next?

Action: Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA

Last week, amid the shouting and crying that marked the dying days of the provincial election campaign, Toronto’s city council did a good thing. It approved 80 units of affordable housing set aside for artists in a new 15-story condo development planned for the East Bayfront community. This decision is in line with the in-development neighbourhood’s zoning plan, which mandates that 20 per cent of new housing should be affordable. The deal—between the city, the private non-profit Artscape, and the condo developers—is the kind we desperately need in Toronto,…

 

Oppenheimer homeless camp: First Nations members issue eviction notice to Vancouver

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A standoff is brewing between the City of Vancouver and a group of protesters camped out in a Downtown Eastside park — but in a twist, the city itself has been handed an eviction notice. On Sunday, just over a dozen tents stood at Oppenheimer Park. Those living in them tell CBC News they’re homeless with nowhere else to live. In the past three days, the campers have received two eviction notices from the city, which has bylaws prohibiting sleeping in parks and erecting structures…

 

Health Providers Against Poverty issue open letter to Wynne, Hoskins and Jaczek on necessary action for the next Poverty Reduction Strategy

Action: Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

We were pleased that Premier Wynne’s Speech From The Throne announced plans for a new poverty reduction strategy for Ontario. Health Providers Against Poverty is an Ontario-based collective of doctors, nurses, and other frontline healthcare professionals. As health care providers, we see daily the devastating impacts of low income on our patients’ health. Individuals at the lower end of the income spectrum are at greater risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and mental health illness. In the health system, individuals living…

 

Two men die at Seaton House men’s shelter

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA

Both men died on the same day. In the morning. At the same shelter. Of unnatural causes. Because there was nothing natural about a 52-year-old and a 69-year-old dying in a men’s shelter in downtown Toronto. “If there had been two deaths within an hour or two of each other in any other city run facility, like a seniors’ home or a daycare or a school, we would have at least seen a press statement or communication from the COO of the city or the…

 

Can Kathleen Wynne change the conversation on poverty?

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

These are tough times in Ontario. Once an economic giant, Ontario now has one of the largest debt-loads of any sub-national government in the world. And on a day-to-day basis for many, Ontario is a province in crisis. Forty per cent of those who suffer food insecurity  in Canada live in Ontario. A job in the province no longer protects against poverty – a full 10% of those using food banks are gainfully employed. Immigrants, newcomers and other vulnerable groups are over-represented in precarious employment, often working…

 

Study shows poverty among urban Aboriginal people in Hamilton in a major barrier to good health

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

78 per cent of First Nations adults in Hamilton earn less than $20,000 per year, according to study: Hamilton’s urban aboriginal people face multiple barriers to health care, significant rates of chronic disease and elevated emergency room visit levels compared to the rest of the city, according to a landmark study from St. Michael’s Hospital. The study, published Thursday in medical journal BMJ Open, marks the first time researchers have accessed detailed information about how an urban aboriginal population in Canada uses health care. Read…

 

Poverty: Older women face life on assistance

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Older women in St. Catherines facing life on social assistance: She thought she was done with welfare. A long time ago, she had dug herself out. Raised three girls on her own. Felt the sting of embarrassment for having to put items back at the grocery store checkout because her food voucher wasn’t enough to buy everything in the cart. Worked wherever she could. In a foundry grinding the rough edges off the plumbing parts. As a survey clerk in an office. She put herself…

 

OFL Response to Wynne’s Budget: Government Must Go Further to Reverse Austerity

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Ontario Federation of Labour welcomes the measures in today’s budget that will make the province a better place for workers, but warns that it will continue to vigorously oppose all forms of privatization and cuts that unfairly place the burden for reducing the deficit on the backs of workers. Read more by clicking  HERE.

 

Farmer’s market coupons available for Ontario County seniors

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Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

The Ontario County Office for the Aging will be distributing senior farmers market coupon booklets beginning Tuesday, July 15. Coupon booklets are available to eligible seniors on a first-come, first-served basis as long as supplies last. Eligible Ontario County seniors need to be at least 60 years of age and affirm they are low-income based on one or more of the following criteria: a gross monthly income at or below: one-person household — $1,800 per month; two-person household — $2,426 per month; or three-person household…

 

New services to help low-income families separate will be a big help in northwestern Ontario

Action: Reports

Where: Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario

Legal Aid Ontario is launching new services to help separating couples avoid a court battle. Eligible couples will be able to access legal advice, and get help drafting a separation agreement. The director general for the Northwest District for Legal Aid Ontario said the services will make a big difference for low-income families in northwestern Ontario. “I would suspect that there’s a large number of people who will be able to resolve their ongoing issues, especially around custody, access and child support, and have less…

 

Wheel-Trans taxi drivers strike over wage cuts

Action: Cuts or Testimonials | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA

For a token a ride, Wheel-Trans is the cheapest transportation available to people with disabilities. But accessible taxi drivers say the TTC wants them to provide the service even more cheaply. Last weekend, the city’s contract with three taxi brokerages for Wheel-Trans expired and the new contract has dropped drivers’ guaranteed pay from $2.86 to $2.50 per kilometre. Now more than 80 per cent of the drivers are on strike until they get their old fees back. “We can’t afford it,” said Ahmed Idris Ali,…

 

Advocates push back against targeting the poor in downtown Hamilton

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Decision-makers hoping to stop loitering downtown risk criminalizing the poor and marginal, say social advocates. They say broader community solutions are needed, not a crackdown that excludes certain kinds of people from public spaces. The city’s task force for cleanliness and security in the downtown is looking at a three-year pilot project that would dedicate a bylaw enforcement officer and police officer to the area around Gore Park, similar to a program in Barrie. To read more about what is being done in Hamilton, click HERE for…

 

Kathleen Wynne should choose growth over austerity

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Kathleen Wynne campaigned and won on an anti-austerity platform. Will she deliver? Already, Ontario’s Liberal premier is being advised to backtrack on her promise to spend more for infrastructure and necessary services. To read more, click HERE.

 

Temporary Foreign Workers in Saskatchewan’s “Booming” Economy

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As the Federal government scrambles to enact reforms to the embattled Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in the wake of revelations of widespread abuse, the Saskatchewan government has voiced its displeasure with the proposed reforms. Arguing Saskatchewan represents a “unique situation,” Minister Responsible for Immigration Jeremy Harrison claims that there simply are not enough “domestic workers in the province to fill the jobs the economy is generating.” While there has been much heated rhetoric regarding the need for the TFWP in Saskatchewan, actual data on…

 

How is Ontario’s Middle Class Faring? A TVO Debate

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Is Ontario’s middle class among the richest in the world, as the New York Times would have us believe, or is it struggling to stay afloat, as per the rhetoric of many a provincial politician? Steve Paikin, host of TVO’s current affairs show The Agenda, brings the CCPA’s Senior Economist Armine Yalnizyan, Andrew Coyne from the National Post and Mike Moffatt from they Ivey School of Business to the table to crunch the numbers and debate which of these declarations is closer to the truth. Click HERE for…

 

The Case for a Stronger Fair Wage Policy in Ontario

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Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

This report analyzes Ontario’s fair wage policy, which has not been modernized since it was introduced in 1995. It draws from a broad range of examples to show how a modernized fair wage policy can be a critical link to bring construction tendering policy in line with government policy objectives pertaining to skills training and apprenticeships, improved health and safety outcomes, and tackling the underground economy in construction. It could strengthen Ontario’s apprenticeship system, it could improve health and safety outcomes, it could help tackle…

 

Ending homelessness in Vancouver requires money and policy change, not self-congratulation

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I remember when we had almost no homelessness in Vancouver; it was when welfare had a lot more purchasing power and governments built almost 800 units a year of social housing in the city alone. Raise welfare rates; people need more than $375 for rent and $235 for everything else. Who do you know who rents a decent place for $375? Read more: HERE

 

Atlantic Premiers release report on impact of Employment Insurance changes

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The Council of Atlantic Premiers released its long-awaited report Monday on the impact of recent changes to Employment Insurance. Click HERE for the full Report. Below is articles commenting on this report: Report “slams changes to EI program”: HERE Report says rule changes “created fear among workers”: HERE Report is “spot on”: HERE Report “vindicates Kenney”: HERE CUPE “disappointed” with report: HERE

 

Increasing funds for food in social assistance may simply mean money will be spent on rent

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Other parts of social assistance not seeing increase. A University of Prince Edward Island professor is praising the P.E.I. government for coming up with a plan to raise social assistance rates for food, but is concerned about how that money might be spent. Without indexing for all social assistance, increases for food could go to rent, says applied human sciences Professor Jennifer Taylor. (Matt Rainnie/CBC) Last week the P.E.I. government announced $2.8 million in funding over the next five years to increase food rates. Click…

 

The number of people receiving Ontario Works in Muskoka is declining

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

In May 2014, following a continuing trend of year-over-year diminished numbers, there were 1,033 people, in Muskoka, on Ontario Works, 2.64 per cent less than 2013. Click HERE for the full story.  

 

The lack of affordable housing in Toronto, and what’s at the root of the problem

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » GTA

Why is it so difficult to find an affordable apartment in Toronto? Matt Galloway spoke with Karen Andrews. She is a staff lawyer at the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario. Click the link HERE to listen to this conversation.

 

A better way: Toronto’s chance to make transit fares more affordable

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA

A transit fare equity policy for Toronto just makes sense: Toronto City Council will meet July 8 to vote on the development of a transit fare equity policy for the GTA. The proposed fare equity policy will put a focus on transit affordability across the city with a particular spotlight on low-income people. City staff and advocates alike have recently pointed out that transit accessibility is about more than location and mobility; it’s about affordability as well. Click HERE for full article.

 

Legal Aid Ontario to fund more Gladue services in Thunder Bay

Action: Reports

Where: Northern Ontario » North East | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario

More Gladue services in the North to better address the over-representation of Aboriginal peoples in the criminal justice system: Legal Aid Ontario plans to address the ‘acute need’ for Gladue services in Northwestern Ontario in the coming months. “When all this is finished we’ll have the best Gladue program across the country,” director general Nye Thomas said. “There’ll still be more work to do after that, but it’s addressing a long standing need.” Click HERE to access the full article.

 

Legal Aid hopes to discourage feuding couples from acting as own lawyers

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Legal Aid Ontario’s new benefits are aimed at many couples who can’t afford a lawyer and try to represent themselves in family law court. Legal Aid Ontario is embarking on a significant expansion of legal services in family law that could chip away at the swelling masses of self-represented litigants and steer couples away from lengthy court battles. A pair of programs, which will be announced later in july, will offer financially eligible couples free access to a family lawyer to negotiate separation agreements and…

 

Report Paints Bleak Picture On Poverty

Action: Reports

Where: Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

New report from Windsor-Essex says 18.3% of families live in poverty, the highest in the province: A report called The Cost Of Poverty In Windsor-Essex says poverty is costing the region $450-million and suggests unless something is done to improve those rates, the cost will only grow. To find out more, click the link HERE.

 

PRESS RELEASE: Federal Court Strikes Down Refugee Health Cuts

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Released July 4th, 2014 This press release displays the reactions of the Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care (CDRC), the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL), and Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY) on the Federal Court’s ruling that refugee health care cuts are “cruel and unusual” – and unconstitutional: “This decision is a victory for human rights, for human dignity, and for compassion.” READ MORE!

 

Ontario’s housing crisis is also a health crisis

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Whether we’ve managed to buy our dream home or are simply dreaming of having a home, few things matter to us more than where we live. Our homes can be a large part of our identity. But they’re much more than that. Research demonstrates that decent housing is fundamental to our health. If home is one of the most important things to both our health and well-being, you would imagine it would be at the top of every political platform. But in Toronto, where we…

 

Ontario’s workers’ compensation system is under attack

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Former WSIB chair, Odoardo Di Santo, says Ontario’s workers’ compensation system is under attack from within – changes “are undermining decades of progress” and “all Ontarians ought to oppose” them: To access the full article on the Toronto Star website, click the link HERE.

 

Submission – Ontario Minimum Wage Advisory Panel

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

In the lead up to the 2013 Ontario provincial budget, the OFL coordinated a province- wide consultation that culminated in the release of a People’s Budget. It included a set of recommendations about how to make Ontario a more fair and equitable province. One key recommendation was to: “Raise the minimum wage to $14 per hour, which is 10 percent above the poverty line based on a 35-hour week, and de-politicize the minimum wage by implementing a formula that would determine regular future increases.” Fairness…

 

Falling Behind: Ontario’s Backslide into Widening Inequality, Growing Poverty and Cuts to Social Programs

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Thirteen million of the most highly educated people in the world call Ontario home. Endowed with rich natural resources, vast tracts of farmland, quadrillions of litres of freshwater, the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield, and an industrial hub that stretches across its southern reaches; it is almost inconceivable that this province houses a generation of residents who are experiencing the largest increase in inequality in this province’s history. Yet the evidence is indisputable. Ontario is falling behind the rest of Canada in terms of…

 

Submission to the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review

Action: Reports

Where:

By clicking the link HERE, you will be able to access the OFL submission to the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention review.

 

Comments to the Ministry of Labour: Proposed Guideline for determining who is a Supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act

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Where:

Here is a look at the Ontario Federation of Labour’s proposed guiltiness for determining who is a supervisor under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The guidelines can be retrieved in the link below: Who is a Supervisor?

 

WSIB column doesn’t tell full story

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Gordon Wilson, Past President, Ontario Federation of Labour responds to Odoardo Di Santo’s, worker’s compensation under attack,opinion piece posted on June 28th. “Odoardo Di Santo is right on but his comments are not the whole story.” “Currently there are over 8,000 workers within Ontario who have claims that have been denied, many without a hearing at the WSIB of their initial claim, and are awaiting for their appeals to be heard in response to the board’s denials. The Appeals Tribunal is now processing approximately 80 to…

 

The Wrecking of Stelco and the Pension Funds

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Government’s and the courts should hold companies accountable for pensions/obligations which were agreed at the Bargaining table. These are what you call deferred wages. It is criminal what they are doing to people who have put in 30, 40, or even 50 years of hard work into their respective companies. Click HERE to read more about what these companies are doing to their employees. YOU be the judge.

 

OFL President’s Report – 2014.06.16

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Here is a look at the Latest OFL’s President Report. Within this report is and address from the OFL president himself, Sid Ryan, a review of the past election and much more information about today’s labour movement. Click HERE to access the report.

 

OFL Submission – Youth Unemployment and Underemployment

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

In Ontario, the recent recession and the austerity measures that followed have had a disproportionate impact on young people. Their struggles foretell a broader low-wage future for all Ontarians if our government does not change course. The scope and depth of the challenges facing young workers demand a new, progressive approach to public policy and managing the economy. Young people across the province are calling on the provincial government to put job creation and the well-being of people and communities ahead of deficit reduction and…

 

Working for Less: The Coming Threat to Union Security in Ontario

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The role of unions as a progressive force in Canadian society and a voice for all workers is being challenged across the country. Historically, legislation has both supported and limited unions’ ability to negotiate and advocate for improved living and working conditions for workers. In recent years, changes have been made and proposed at the federal and provincial levels that erode some of the security that has previously been afforded to unions. A cornerstone of Canadian labour legislation – the Rand Formula – is one…

 

Resource – SolidariTweet: Social Media for Social Change

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Social media can fuel spontaneous, organic and grass-roots activism. As Technology continues to grow, this type of media becomes more and more effective. Activists can use social media to start petitions, spread the word, mobilize support, educate the public and put pressure on decision-makers at every level. Click HERE to learn more about how the labour movement plans, and is currently, using social media to get the message out!

 

The Rising of Us All: Responding to the Attack on Ontario’s Unions

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Where:

As Ontarians chart our society’s path through the difficult fiscal terrain ahead, we must recognize that in today’s globalized world, negative competitiveness won’t buy prosperity for most of us. It will simply drive down living standards that took centuries to build. Today, strong unions are needed, more than ever, to balance the power of the corporate elite whose hoarding of the world’s wealth has reached monstrous proportions. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., the rising of the unions has indeed been the rising…

 

Employment Insurance in Canada: Hitting Rock Bottom

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Cuts to Canada’s Employment Insurance Program are making it harder to help some of the most vulnerable people in today’s society. Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) produced this video about the cuts in Employment-Insurance. There’s also a press release attached to it. Access the video below: watch?v=hK3L5F4cAgk To access the Press Release click HERE: In order to access more information, click HERE to be redirected to their website I invite you to share this video as widely as possible !

 

Pulling Up The Ladder: Austerity’s Impact on the Next Generation

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

A Call to Young Workers, There has never been a more important time for young workers to become actively engaged in the struggles of the labour movement – and for trade unionists to take inspiration from the activism of students and youth. Last year’s Occupy movement and this year’s student strike in Québec were important moments where labour unions fell in behind youth-led campaigns against inequality. However, it is also vital for young workers to take an active role in their unions or to organize…

 

Ontario’s Gender Gap: Women and Jobs Post-Recession

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

A recovery strategy that aims to put Ontario back where it was in 2007 means no progress for women. Women had lower levels of employment and higher levels of poverty before, during and after the recession. Young women were among the biggest losers during the recession – experiencing nearly double the rate of decline in their employment as young men. At the other end of the spectrum, the numbers of women who stayed in the workforce after age 65 doubled betwen 2007-2013. Single mothers with…

 

More Support on the Way for Ontario Families

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) has increased by $100 annually per child. This is a very important program Ontario families mitigate finical struggle when taking care of their children. To find out more about what this means for the families of Ontario, click on the link HERE.

 

Steve Paikin’s roundup of “what else happened” in the Ontario election

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Yes there was a Liberal Majority Government, but within the article below, find out what also happened during this year’s Ontario Provincial election! Ontario Election Facts

 

SEPTEMBER: TAKE BACK THE NIGHT EVENT

Action: Campaigns or Events | Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Throughout September, Labour Councils and community groups across Ontario will be host “Take Back the Night” events to empower women and challenge gender-based violence.

 

Dr. Danielle Martin, who says doctors “should be at the front of the parade to try to reduce poverty in Canada”

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Meet Danielle Martin, the health care leader heard across North America. Doctor Martin is  the leading advocates for publicly funded healthcare in North America.  Martin  beleives that “as physicians we see the negative impact of poverty on the health of our patients every day. We should be at the front of the parade to try to reduce poverty in Canada.” In order to find out more about Danielle, click HERE to read more about who and what Danielle envisions for the future of North American Healthcare!

 

Ontario Human Rights Commission issues new policy on rights of people with mental illness and addictions

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

The new policy – which comes at a time when statistics suggest one in five Canadians experience a mental health illness in any given year – offers those dealing with mental illness, as well as their employers, landlords and other service providers “user-friendly” advice on how to best identify and combat rights violations. This policy is saying that people with mental health issues are protected under the human rights code. They have rights. Employers, service providers, landlords all have responsibilities and we need to understand…

 

Why we need an Ontario Pension Plan

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Hello everyone, In the province of Ontario, there are 6 million workers, half of which dont have any type of pension plan. These three million Ontarians are looking at retirement years where their only income will be the Canada Pension Plan which pays a maximum of $1,038 monthly. This is not enough for people to live. The article found within the link below can give you more information on why Ontarians are  in need of a provincial pension  Ontario Pension Plan Enjoy!

 

Big Trout Lake residents invite other Canadians to experience life on reserve

Action: Reports

Where: Northern Ontario » North East | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario

The remote Ontario community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is once again opening its doors, inviting Canadians to spend a week at their reserve to experience the good, like this campfire, and the bad, like lack of housing, at their reserve 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. Click HERE to see the FULL story.

 

Ontario’s 2015 Rent Increase Guideline Set at 1.6 Per Cent

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Ontario Government Committed to Affordable Housing Ontario is capping rent increases for 2015 at 1.6 per cent.  The cap, also known as the rent increase guideline, is the maximum a landlord can raise a tenant’s rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board. It applies to rent increases between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015. The guideline is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation calculated monthly by Statistics Canada. It is calculated under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006,…

 

Unfor Appeal: Stop the Shootings!

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA

Yesterday an armoured car guard in Toronto was shot several times while doing his job.  Unifor has been campaigning for more effective regulation of the armoured car industry. Help Unifor make this work and the people who do it safer.  Help make sure no more armoured car workers die or are injured on the job. In just a few seconds you can send a message to the federal government in support of Unifor’s campaign.  Just go HERE. For the full text of the Unifor statement on…

 

Ontario Federation of Labour Pre-Budget Submission

Action: Reports

Where:

Click on this link for Sid Ryan’s speakers notes for the OFL pre-budget submission presented on January 16, 2014: Speaking notes  Click here for the full pre-budget submission: full Budget document

 

ISAC Budget 2013 Analysis: Moving Forward on Positive Social Assistance Reform

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Central Ontario » Central West | Eastern Ontario | Central Ontario » GTA | Southwestern Ontario » London & Region | Central Ontario » Niagara & Region | Northern Ontario » North East | Southwestern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario » North West | Northern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern | Southwestern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario » Windsor Region

Budget 2013 has begun to make positive changes to a social assistance system that has continued to impoverish and cause hardship for low-income Ontarians. The majority of these changes apply to the Ontario Works (OW) program. After the Commission’s social assistance review report, starting the process of reform with positive changes to OW is the right way to proceed. The government has clearly heard the concerns of individuals and groups across Ontario about the negative impact of the report’s recommendations on people receiving ODSP. As…

 

Young Conservatives On Campus

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » GTA | Eastern Ontario » South Eastern

A group of Young Conservatives have popped up on the Durham College and UOIT campus recently. We don’t know much about them because their Facebook group is private and requires students to request approval for access. The group’s description simply states, “Supporting the students, supporting the country”. However, the current membership list boasts a who’s-who of Conservative Party insiders, MPs, MPPs and Young Conservative organizers from across Ontario. It seems the Conservative Party of Canada and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario have made our…

 

Ontario Common Front Report (December 8, 2012)

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

On December 8 2012 the Ontario Common Front hosted an annual General Assembly at the University of Toronto (OISE). Over 250 delegates participated from over 90 community and labour groups.  Download the full report here.

 

Town Hall meeting in Cornwall

Action: Reports

Where: Eastern Ontario | Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region

On Dec. 4, 2012, the Cornwall and District Labour Council hosted a number of community groups and labour affiliates at a town hall meeting, at which Sid Ryan was our keynote speaker. We started with soup and sandwiches before formalities. Our program featured 4 panelists: Sid Ryan, president of the OFL, Diane Dewing, ETFO, Alyssa Blais, Executive Director of Agape Centre, Cornwall’s Foodbank, Thrift Store and Soup Kitchen and Elaine MacDonald, president of the Cornwall and District Labour Council followed by small discussion groups and…

 

Who’s going to pay for it?

Action: Reports

Where:

Who’s going to pay for it? That is a common refrain we hear from politicians, corporate leaders, bankers, right wing think tanks, and many in the media. We are told ad nauseum that we simply can’t afford the social programs of yesteryear and that austerity is the only solution. In fact in Canada we produce about 50% more wealth now than we did in the halcyon days of social programs in the 1970’s http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/governments-forgone-income the problem is all that additional wealth has been re-directed to…

 

New Report Says Ontario is Falling Behind

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

The Ontario Common Front – an Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 groups and organizations concerned with growing inequality – released an unprecedented new report today showing that Ontario has sunk to last place in Canada when measured against every important social indicator. The comprehensive report pulled together national research demonstrating that Ontario is at the bottom of the pack when it comes to equality and social programs and that a growing number of Ontarians are falling behind in the economy. The report found that: · 40% of…

 

Falling Behind Report – Quick Reference Fact Sheets

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

The Ontario Common Front – an Ontario-wide coalition of more than 90 groups and organizations concerned with growing inequality – released an unprecedented new report today showing that Ontario has sunk to last place in Canada when measured against every important social indicator. Get the fact sheets here.

 

K-W Record: Inequality report ranks Ontario last in Canada

Action: Reports

Where: Southwestern Ontario » North West | Southwestern Ontario

–On Thursday, August 30, 2012 the Kitchener-Waterloo Record covered the launch of the Common Front Report. By Jeff Hicks, Record Staff WATERLOO — The austerity axe is killing equality in Ontario, and Waterloo Region in particular. So says a new report by a coalition of 90 labour and community organizations, which ranks Ontario dead last in Canada in every major social indicator. Two years ago, Ontario ranked third last. “Cuts, cuts, cuts, cuts,” said Waterloo Region Labour Council president Len Carter as the Ontario Common…

 

2011 OFL Convention: Toward a Common Front, Policy Paper

Action: Reports

Where:

Click Here to access the OFL Policy paper, Toward a Common Front. This policy paper addresses the global trend of austerity budgets, and hones in on the austerity budget here in Ontario. It addresses topics such as tax cuts, minimum wage, employment insecurity, newcomer and migrant workers, as well as organizing for the right of all workers.

 

Interim Report on Vulnerable Workers and Precarious Work

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

This report released by the Law Commission of Ontario includes recommendations designed to respond to the challenges faced by vulnerable workers in order to either reduce their vulnerability to, or the impacts of, precarious work. The Project focuses, in particular, on improvements to the statutory and policy framework of the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act in protecting these workers. To read more, please click here.

 

Communities in Crisis: Welland

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » Niagara & Region

Click here to read the Canadian Labour Congress report on Welland, a community in crisis.

 

Community in Crisis: Sault Ste. Marie

Action: Reports

Where: Northern Ontario » North East

Click here to read the Canadian Labour Congress report on Sault Ste. Marie, a community in crisis.

 

Communities in Crisis: Oshawa

Action: Reports

Where: Eastern Ontario » South Eastern

Click here to check out the Canadian Labour Congress report on Oshawa, a community in crisis.

 

Ontario’s Fiscal Reality: Cup Half Empty or Half Full?

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

The McGuinty Government has been using the report of the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services, known as the Drummond report, to short-circuit an open, public debate about the value of public services and what Ontario needs to do to improve and protect them. This paper exposes the government’s strategy and critically reviews the Drummond report’s key premise: namely, that Ontario cannot afford to maintain its current level of public services because the province faces a dire fiscal crisis.

 

What Did Corporate Tax Cuts Deliver?

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Cuts to corporate taxes have resulted in a major loss of government revenues, without the anticipated result of higher corporate investment in machinery and equipment, new plants, and other areas of company operations. Instead, we have seen a big increase in dividend payouts and in financial assets. In this report, the Canadian Labour Congress seeks to show the reality of corporate tax cuts.

 

A Living Wage for Kingston

Action: Reports

Where: Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region

In this report, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has compiled the basic expenses of what would allow a family of four in Kingston to live on necessities only and a fairly tight budget. From this,they have devised what they consider to be a living wage in the city of Kingston. To read more about living expenses, a living wage, and the policy implications, click here.

 

Ottawa ACORN: Healthy Homes Campaign

Action: Reports

Where: Eastern Ontario » Ottawa & Region

After countless hours of our members organizing and working on tenant campaigns over the past few years, ACORN members have determined the current minimum standard for residential properties and enforcement protocols are insufficient. To read their recommendations, please click here.

 

Racial Justice Report Card for Ontario

Action: Reports

Where:

Written by The Colour of Poverty Campaign – Colour of Change Network, this provincial Racial Justice Report Card seeks to examine the record of the three main political parties in Ontario over the most current term of office – by looking at laws and policies that were passed or adopted, as well as the opposition parties’ stated policy positions on these laws and policies, and proposed legislation that that might have failed legislatively from this past term – as well as the parties’ election platforms…

 

Retirement Security and the Right for the Future

Action: Reports

Where:

This paper addresses the challenges that Canada is currently facing with regards to pension reform and a rapidly-aging population: expanding CPP, OAS and GIS; the need for improving existing employer pension plans; the attack on public sector pensions; and the shift from defined benefits to defined contribution plans. To read more and access the list of recommended action, click here.

 

Prevent, Protect, Compensate, For the Next Generation- OFL Policy Paper

Action: Reports

Where:

This OFL policy paper addresses work place concerns, including worker’s compensation, violence in the workplace, protecting vulnerable workers, and sector-specific regulations such as agricultural and educational. To read more and access the list of recommended action, click here.

 

The Power of Diversity in the 21st Century- OFL Policy Paper

Action: Reports

Where:

This OFL policy paper addresses government cuts that are affecting both equity groups, as well as the people who use and work in places such as settlement agencies. It further explores the under-representation of equity-seeking groups, racism, sexism and class-struggles, and how this weakens solidarity and limits inclusion. To read the complete report as well as the OFL’s recommended action plan, click here.

 

Positive or Punitive? What Will Reform Mean for People with Disabilities?

Action: Reports

Where:

The ODSP Action Coalition has produced a response to “Approaches for Reform” that answers questions and provides recommendations as to how social assistance reform can be improved for individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more.

 

What We Heard: A summary of discussions on social assistance

Action: Reports

Where:

This report by the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario shows the opinions gathered while doing their community-based investigation in to social assistance in Ontario. This report covers the concerns of Ontarians including barriers to employment, access to services and supports, an appropriate benefit structure, as well as making it easier to understand and administer social assistance. To read the full report, click here.

 

Statement on Pre-Budget Consultation from Canadian Pensioners’ Concerned, Ontario Division

Action: Reports

Where:

To read this statement, addressing all facets of public life including health care and education, click here.

 

First Do No Harm: Putting Improved Access and Accountability at the Centre of Ontario’s Health Care Reform

Action: Reports

Where:

Overall this report is a response to the ill-considered proposals that cloak health care cutbacks under the guise of reform. This report is an appeal for balance; an appeal for our government to put improved access, quality and accountability at the centre of Ontario’s health care reform. To read more, click here.

 

Summary & Short Analysis to the Drummond Report

Action: Reports

Where:

Produced by the Ontario Health Coalition, this report critiques the Drummond Report’s portrayal of Ontario’s existing health care system as well as the recommended changes. Click here to read more.

 

Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario, Discussion Paper 2- Approaches for Reform

Action: Reports

Where:

This government-established commission was asked to do a comprehensive review and provide specific recommendations for improving the social assistance system. In producing this report, the Commission engaged communities throughout Ontario, as well as meeting with provincial organizations and labour groups. Their conclusion: we need to transform the social assistance system; small fixes will not be enough. Click here to access the full report.

 

Jane-Finch Youth Speak Out: Turf, Violence, Wellbeing

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario » GTA

This report is a product of the ACT for Youth Project that is focused on developing a comprehensive youth strategy that will outline how urban communities like the Jane-Finch community can build assets for youth. 50 youth between the ages of 16 and 29 voluntarily participated and recorded their views on violence, turf or well-being, and then four research assistants identified some of the key concepts that appeared in the transcripts. To read the full report, click here.

 

Unpaid Wages, Unprotected Workers: A Survey of Employment Standards Violations

Action: Reports

Where:

Based on a survey of 520 workers in low-wage and precarious jobs, this study demonstrates that the lack of protection in Ontario workplaces leaves many workers in significant economic hardship. It is a world of work where wages, overtime and vacation goes unpaid and people work at less than minimum wage. For the full report, click here.

 

Deputation: Bill 77 – Fairness for Employees Act Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills Submitted by the Workers’ Action Centre and Parkdale Community Legal Services

Action: Reports

Where:

Getting rid of barriers to unionize is an important way to improve low-wage, precarious jobs. WAC and Parkdale Community Legal Services presented a joint deputation in support of Bill 77 and its proposed changes to the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA). For the full report, click here.

 

Post-Secondary Funding for Aboriginal Students

Action: Reports

Where:

Click here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on post-secondary education funding for Aboriginal Students.

 

Funding for Post-Secondary Education

Action: Reports

Where:

Click here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on funding for post-secondary education.

 

Student Debt

Action: Reports

Where:

Click here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on student debt.

 

Student Employment

Action: Reports

Where:

Click here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on student employment.

 

Tuition Fees in Canada

Action: Reports

Where:

Click here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on tuition fees in Canada.

 

The Impact of Government Underfunding on Students

Action: Reports

Where:

Click here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on the impact of government underfunding on students.

 

The Impact of Government Underfunding on Students

Action: Reports

Where: Central Ontario | Eastern Ontario | Northern Ontario | Southwestern Ontario

Click Here to access the Canadian Federation of Students fact sheet on the Impact of Government Underfunding on Students.

 

Public Education for the Public Good- a national vision for Canada’s post-secondary education system

Action: Reports

Where:

The Canadian Federation of Students produced , Public Education for the Public Good, to explore and address the issues with the funding of post-secondary education in Canada. This report addresses the way post-secondary education is funded both at the federal and provincial level, explores the effects of student loans on graduates, explores the effect of high tuition fees on marginalized groups, and provides recommendations on how post-secondary education in Canada can be changed to improve the educational experience of Canadians.