A bad economy means poor health, according to a new survey of Canadians released today by the Canadian Medical Association. The national report card on health care surveyed slightly more than 1,000 Canadians – and made front page news in The Globe and Mail. The survey confirms research by the Wellesley Institute, including Poverty Is Making […]
TO adopts housing plan! Next step: Inclusionary housing plan to require affordable homes in new developments
Toronto City Council caught up with hundreds of other Canadian and US cities earlier today and adopted a 10-year affordable housing plan called Housing Opportunities Toronto. Overall, the plan is projected to cost $483.7 million and is expected to provide practical support to 257,700 households. The Wellesley Institute launched our Blueprint to End Homelessness in 2006,
H1N1 could pack big wallop; Toronto Public Health publishes new guide for homeless / housing providers
While the H1N1 swine flu has had a fairly mild impact to date in Canada, there are signs that it could pack a significant wallop when flu season arrives in three months. The pattern of cases to date is that while most flu cases pass with relatively minor symptoms, a significant number of people are […]
Britain, Australia, U.S. all recognize importance of non-profit sector – but not Canada’s federal government
The Australian government has announced a new initiative to create a ‘National Compact’ with the non-profit sector. The Obama administration has set up the Office of Social Innovation in the White House to strengthen the relationship between the federal government and the non-profit sector. The British government has a Cabinet-level Office of the Third Sector […]
Toronto (and Ontario's) huge housing needs require a major provincial commitment
Do the math: Ontario housing minister Jim Watson's day-long commitment – along with members of his staff – to take up hammer and nails and help build 16 new homes as part of a charity build in Toronto underlines the urgent need for the provincial government to ramp up its housing efforts as it continues […]
Continue ReadingToronto (and Ontario's) huge housing needs require a major provincial commitment
Three important Ontario housing facts: Highest housing costs, lowest provincial spending, worst municipal download
As the Ontario government’s province-wide consultations for a comprehensive provincial housing plan open the first of three sessions in Toronto this evening, here are three housing facts to consider: Highest housing costs: Ontario has the highest housing costs of any province (median household shelter costs of $10,878, according to Statistics Canada). One in every three […]
Both private and non-profit enterprises fall short in pandemic planning
Both private companies and non-profit enterprises are struggling to deal with the current recession, and many don’t have proper pandemic flu plans in place, warns Wellesley Instititute CEO Rick Blickstead in a front page article in today’s Toronto Star. “Many organizations have not done proper risk management to prepare for the inevitability of people being […]
Continue ReadingBoth private and non-profit enterprises fall short in pandemic planning
Greater Toronto Region economic recovery plan needs vital and healthy non-profit sector
Economic recovery throughout the Greater Toronto Region requires the active engagement of all sectors, including the vital non-profit sector that delivers a variety of critical programs and services and provides a valuable boost in the form of jobs and other economic activity. The Wellesley Institute joined with other leaders from the government and private sectors […]
Home ownership still out of reach for most low, moderate income households
Entry into home ownership markets remains out of financial reach for low, moderate and even middle-income Canadians, according to a new analysis from the Wellesley Institute. In its latest semi-annual review of ownership affordability in Canada, RBC Economics reports that “low mortgage rates and persisting downward pressure on housing prices will to continue to help […]
Continue ReadingHome ownership still out of reach for most low, moderate income households
New video documents health impact of poverty
Population Health: The New Agenda from Vancouver Coastal Health is a brilliant new video that documents the health impact of social determinants of health; or, in simple terms, why poor people get sick and die while higher-income people live longer and healthier lives. It provides a powerful complement to Poverty Is Making Us Sick, recent research […]
Continue ReadingNew video documents health impact of poverty