In the 2012 Ontario budget, the government announced that it was eliminating the Community Start-Up and Maintenance Benefit (CSUMB). The CSUMB helps people receiving social assistance to pay for large or unexpected housing-related costs, supporting them to become and remain housed. As of January 1, 2013, the CSUMB will end…
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Minister Solberg boycotts meeting, then promises to meet
…Provincial and territorial ministers are seeking an immediate commitment in the upcoming federal budget to increase the level of funding for housing programs, including those set to expire in March 2009. During the forum, Ministers also discussed housing issues facing First Nations, Metis and Inuit people; changes to the tax…
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As Ontario braces for Drummond report, lessons from Million Dollar Murray need to be considered
As Ontario braces for the report from economist Don Drummond on provincial public service spending, an early leak from his work raises a powerful question. In a Toronto Star column by Martin Regg Cohn, Drummond is reported to be ‘staggered by the statistic that a mere 1 per cent of…
Then and now – Liberal shout out on housing
…Stephen Harper, and calling for strong action. Eighteen years ago, almost to the day, the National Liberal Caucus Task Force on Housing released a powerful report that condemned the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney, and called for strong action. Liberal Urban Communities Caucus (May 28, 2008): “Prime Minister Stephen Harper…
Staggering one-in-four Canadian households in affordability squeeze
…The StatsCan research shows that Ontario has the highest shelter costs in Canada for owners and renters, and the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area has the highest number of households caught in the affordability squeeze. One-of-every-three Torontonians have been forced into the danger zone. Decoding the numbers There has been a…
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Reaction to Conservative Task Force on Gun-related Violence
Yesterday, Stephen Harper announced the establishment of a Conservative Task Force focusing on gun-related crime in cities. The task force will tour Canada to meet with victims, agencies, law enforcement and local politicians. Earlier this year the Conservative party opposed a federal Budget proposing a renewed investment in social welfare. …
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National pharmacare will make life more affordable
…budgets for other important expenses, like groceries, housing costs, or emergency savings. We also know that when medications are expensive, people don’t take them – instead putting money towards other important needs like food and shelter – at the possible detriment of their health. Eventually this trade-off could lead to…
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Health summit talks have an opportunity to turn to health equity
…provinces that are reducing healthcare needs. The fiscal case is clear; Ontario spends around $15.1 billion per year to treat the top one percent of healthcare users, accounting for one-third of the province’s healthcare budget. Ontario prioritizes high cost users through Health Links, a patient-focused case management system that links…
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New federal housing policy = good jobs, good investment, good homes
…is not good They can launch a comprehensive, fully-funded federal housing strategy The new federal Conservative minority government can kick-start a major new jobs strategy focusing on new affordable housing construction by investing the $1.6 billion in new housing dollars in the NDP budget bill, which was passed by Parliament…
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Happy family day – our children are suffering!
…terrible reality for families in Ontario. In 1912, Toronto used to have the worst infant mortality rate in the developed world, but then crusading Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Hastings took practical and effective steps (clean milk, clean water, affordable housing, etc.) and the city’s ranking shot up. There…
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