Inadequate social assistance costs us plenty

Inadequate social assistance costs us plenty
July 8th, 2011 issue
The Kitchener Record

Hightlights:

As of December 2010, the average single individual supported by Ontario Works was receiving $592 per month, the equivalent of working full-time for $3.70 per hour — and a full $6.55 less than minimum wage. Yet this amount is expected to cover food, housing, transportation and all incidental expenses while the recipient seeks employment.

In April 2011, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimated the average rent for a bachelor apartment in Waterloo Region at $603 per month—that’s $11 more than the average recipient of Ontario Works is allocated for all of their monthly expenses. This tells us that, even without eating, the average person on social assistance cannot afford the average cost of the smallest dwelling on the housing market.

June 20th is World Refugee Day

Approximately 2500 immigrants arrive in London each year, and of those, about 27% are refugees. I've personally been privileged and profoundly moved by learning about the first hand lived experiences directly from some of London's newest citizens, most recently through the "Linking Cultures" program at Fanshawe College.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

The Central Library is hosting a few events to mark this occassion.  On Friday June 17th, from 6-9:30pm Life as a Refugee: Resilience Awards in the Stevenson & Hunt room.

We will be joined by Special Guests, including our esteemed keynoted speakers, lawyer Barbara Jackman who’s work in the 1985 Singh Decision ensured fundamental rights for refugee claimants in Canada and Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini currently the Executive Director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Help us recognize London’s finest, with the presentation of the 1st Annual Resilience Awards, honouring London’s Refugees and Refugee Allies who have continually dedicated themselves to making London a welcoming home to all.

Please Join Us!
Light Refreshments available.
Child-minding is available, upon request. To request child-minding services, please email us directly at least 3 days before the event.
Event is Free to the Public.

And then on  Saturday June 18^th from 10:00am to 2:00pm Life as a Refugee: Family Day

The partner agencies of the REAL initiative have organized a public event which promises fun for the whole family! In the morning, enjoy arts and cultural performances by local multicultural groups. After a break for a variety of tasty treats representing foods from around the world, join workshops to learn more about “Life as a Refugee” in London, Ontario with panelists from all walks of life.

Children and youth can enjoy games and crafts run by Youth Workers from local agencies and with the support and guidance of local refugee youth. Take the whole family through interactive displays which highlight the various challenges that refugees who resettle in London encounter when trying to start a new life in Canada.

This event is free to the public. More information about the performers, artists and panelists to follow.

Life as a Refugee: Family Day!

Various Rooms, London Public Library’s Central Branch

251 Dundas Street, London, Ontario

Email Us at info@realhub.ca

Settlement Services at Public Libraries

Starting in July, settlement services will be expanded to Stoney Creek, East London, Cherryhill, Pond Mills, and Westmount branches of the public library for the summer, staffed by SWIS (Settlement Workers in Schools) workers.

Year round, Library Settlement Workers are at 4 libraries in London and speak a variety of languages to help newcomers find information and help in London. Call each location to find out their hours.
You can get information about:

• careers, employment and volunteer opportunities such as ERC, Job Connect, WIL, Goodwill Career Centre, Pillar, Access Centre
• language learning and assessment such as ESL classes, LINC classes, conversation circles, TOEFL preparation, ESL book clubs
• library materials in many languages
• basic computer classes
• public library computers
• income tax clinics
• housing
• schools and education, including government programs and continuing education
• health care, incl. doctors, walk-in medical clinics and dentists
• legal issues, incl. lawyers, legal aid, Neighbourhood Legal Services
• immigration issues, incl. family sponsorships, reunification, applying for permanent residency

Beacock Branch 519-451-8140
Central Branch 519-661-4600
Jalna Branch 519-685-6465
Sherwood Branch 519-473-9965



London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMIP) is a one-stop website to help newcomers move to our community, gett settled and start a new life.  The website highlight life in London and Middlesex County and links to programs and services for employment, education, housing, health care, childcare, recreation and culture, and key provincial and federal resources.

Networking for an Inclusive Community (NIC) is a group of representatives and volunteers from organizations who provide service to newcomers in London and Middlesex. NIC was started about 8 years ago and has over 140 organizations in its membership. NIC provides education and networking opportunities through half day and full day workshops.

The London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP) is a collaborative community initiative which is designed to strengthen the role of local and regional communities in serving and integrating immigrants.

Spring 2011 Community Advocacy & Legal Centre newsletter now available

http://cleonet.ca/news_files/1305135331CALC-Volume_20_Number_1_May_2011.pdf

Topics include:

• Poverty reduction strategy for a poverty-free Ontario
• Poverty-free Ontario forum
• Paths to Justice
• Affordable housing update
• Applying for EI - Changes to the Record of Employment form
• Who needs a "My Service Canada" account?
• More special diet changes
• Workplace Safety & Insurance Board makes program changes
• Articling Fellowship reaps rewards for rural and remote areas
• A decade of hunger in Ontario - Profile of food bank clients
• Making our website more accessible to the Deaf community
• Clinic hosts Law Commission consultations for vulnerable workers

Tax freeze will leave city's poorest out in the cold

Will tax freeze lead to levy?

Fontana: Has pledged to hold the line, which is going to hurt

By Patrick Maloney The London Free Press

"Delivering a second straight tax freeze for Londoners could trigger some tough political decisions, including funding for programs that support thousands of the city's poorest.

Widespread projected belt-tightening appears set to fall especially hard on London's social-housing program, for which a 7% budget hike had been sought for 2012.

The budget targets, which politicians will debate next week, also suggest transit-fare hikes, activity-fee increases and arts-funding cuts may be needed to deliver the second of four freezes Mayor Joe Fontana has promised. "There's no question the second year (tax freeze) is going to be tougher than the first," said Coun. Bud Polhill."

Easy access to community, social, health and related government services in Ontario

http://www.211ontario.ca/ontario/goHome?langInd=E

211 is here to help

211 is a three-digit phone number and website that provides information and referral to community and social services in Ontario. Our Certified Information and Referral Specialists are caring, understanding and knowledgeable, and pride themselves on their ability to connect you with the services you need.

When you don't know where to turn, call 211
With information on more than 56,000 agencies and services, we can help you find the answers you need, quickly and easily. Our phone service is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and is available in more than 150 languages.

Find the information you need at www.211ontario.ca
If you need help finding the services that are right for you, visit http://www.211ontario.ca/ for a directory of more than 56,000 agencies and services in Ontario. Our easy-to-use website is fully searchable, updated frequently and is available in both English and French versions.

"211 solved my problem and I got all the answers."

"I got to talk to a person and they helped me."

Life on ODSP - a compelling video

View the compelling video of Darren Nesbit (Sarnia) as he tells of his struggle to live on limited groceries after paying his rent.This presentation occurred at an event convened in Hamilton on Friday, December 4, 2009 to mark the first anniversary of the Ontario Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Short-form census makes debut Monday
April 28, 2011

Toronto Star
By Bruce Campion-Smith

Briefly:

"It’s controversial, political divisive and could have a lasting effect on how Canadians see their country. And it’s not Monday’s election. It’s the census and missing this year are the detailed long-form questionnaires that have helped many corners of Canadian society plan for the future. Yet many experts warn that the loss of the mandatory long-form census — and its questions on education, employment and commuting habits — risks leaving Canadians in the dark about their changing lifestyles and trends.

“That’s my firm belief,” said Ivan Fellegi, who served as chief statistician at Statistics Canada for 23 years. “But more important than that, we will not only have less knowledge about ourselves, we will have the wrong knowledge about ourselves because we won’t know what’s right and what’s wrong."

Poverty hides in the suburbs: Will ‘priority neighbourhoods’ help?

From today's Globe and Mail

Poverty hides in the suburbs: Will ‘priority neighbourhoods’ help?

I appreciate that the story ended with a "Pro & Con":

"PRO AND CON: Toronto’s priority neighbourhood program

Proponent: Scarborough Centre Councillor Glenn de Baeremaeker says Toronto’s program has been a “huge success” in the two priority neighbourhoods in his ward. “The kind of services in a suburb like Scarborough aren’t as developed as in the downtown wards,” he said. “Yes, there is an image or stereotype about Scarborough, but the reality is priority neighbourhoods have done a lot in helping people find jobs, access to daycare and engaging youth.”

Critic: Scarborough-Agincourt Councillor Mike Del Grande said he hasn’t seen much change in the Steeles-L’Amoreaux priority neighbourhood in his ward. “We’ve got more daycares now, but I think a flaw with this program is there’s no measurement of progress.” As budget chief, Mr. Del Grande will be looking at cuts to many of the city’s programs, which include the Priority Neighbourhoods project. Currently, council is waiting for staff reports on the progress of the project."

Ligne de Conseils Juridiques Sommaires

Ligne de Conseils Juridiques Sommaires –
French Legal Advice Line
1 855 650-9716

May 1, 2011 marks the official opening of the French Legal Advice Line for Southwestern Ontario which is administered by the Windsor-Essex Bilingual Legal Clinic. This pilot project, funded by Legal Aid Ontario, was created to promote and enhance access to justice and French Language Services and is not intended to replace existing services. This is the fourth line of its kind in the province.

A Community Legal Worker will respond to calls via a toll free number and will offer summary legal advice to low income residents of Southwestern Ontario under the supervision of clinic lawyers. The goal is to reach underserviced areas in the counties of Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Brant, Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey.

Callers will be able to discuss their rights and responsibilities. Referrals to appropriate agencies will also be provided.

Areas of law include : Social Assistance, Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, Canada Pension Plan, Employment rights, Immigration, Housing (Tenants Rights) and Human Rights. Consultations are private and confidential.

The three other Legal Advice lines already established are:

1) Le Centre communautaire de Vanier for Eastern Ontario ;

2) La Clinique juridique communautaire de Sudbury for Northern Ontario and certain central regions including Barrie, Parry Sound, regions of Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes;

3) Le Centre francophone de Toronto for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

For more information on our service, please call 1 855 650-9716. We look forward to serving you in French!

Ontario Municipal Social Services Association

OMSSA 2011 Federal Election Comparison chart

"This summary of federal political party platforms is intended to provide, in their own words, a synopsis of party positions on issues central of OMSSA members. We will continue to update this chart as parties release information.  For further details, please see party platforms and issue papers, which may be found on each party’s website."

Housing and Homelessness

Employment and Income Issues

Early Learning and Child Care and other family issues

Other human issues

Public Legal Education Webinars

http://www.cleonet.ca/training/most_viewed_webinars

I'm amazed by the number and variety of webinars available for viewing at CLEO! There is something on this list for everyone:

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Standards
• Bill 168 Harassment and Violence in the Workplace
• Cell Phone Contracts
• Child Custody and Protection
• Collection Agencies
• Consumer Reporting and Credit Reporting
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
• Door-to-Door Sales
• Elder Abuse
• Employment Rights
• Energy Re-billing
• Fired or Laid Off?
• Forced to Quit?
• Health Care Consent
• Health Care Consent and Advance Care Planning
• Human Rights in Your Workplace
• Identity Theft: An Overview
• Identity Theft: Assisting Victims
• Investment and Saving for ODSP Recipients
• Legal Aid Ontario
• Motor Vehicle Dealers Act
• Motor Vehicle Repairs
• ODSP Disability Determination and Application
• OW and ODSP Applications and Appeals
• OW and ODSP Rights and Benefits Overview
• Pay Day Loans Act
• Pre-Paid Services
• Private Career Colleges Act
• Reporting Peer to Peer Violence in Schools
• Residential Tenancies Act: The Basics
• Sexual Assault and Harassment
• Social Media
• Social Media for Clinics (Northern Regional Training)
• Substitute Decision Making ABCs
• Substitute Decision-Making Authorities and Powers of Attorney
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Basics

Action Alert! Help ensure that Ontario’s social housing system changes for the better!

From the Housing Network of Ontario:


The government is changing the social housing system in Ontario.


Let’s make sure it changes for the better!


The Government promised that the new Housing Services Act would make sure the affordable housing system ‘put people first’. The new law does not do nearly enough.


If the government is serious about a housing program that focuses on positive results for low-income Ontarians, the new Housing Services Act must be changed.  Take action by March 31st!



The Housing  Services Act must be changed to:

1. Prevent the privatization and sell-off of social housing:
Affordable housing strengthens the foundation of communities and is an important public asset. The Housing Services Act should make it illegal for municipalities to reduce the number of units of social housing.


2. Restrict punitive rent-geared-to-income rules:
Tenants on social assistance who live in social housing should not be worse off if they find a job. The Housing Services Act should protect tenants from rapid, unfair rent hikes if their income rises.

3. Improve fairness for tenants:
Tenants need an independent review process when disputing decisions made by housing providers, such as cancelling a rental subsidy. The people reviewing the decisions should not be the co-workers of the people who made them in the first place. The Housing Services Act should mandate the creation of an independent panel to consider these disputes.


4. Introduce Inclusionary housing:
One of the fastest and fairest ways to create stable, equitably accessible, affordable housing is to ensure that it is built into any new development. The government needs to amend the Planning Act to allow municipalities to introduce inclusionary housing policies.

5. Social Housing providers need a fair appeals process:
Under existing legislation, co-ops and non-profits have not had the ability to seek an independent review of Municipal Service Manager actions or decisions that did not involve costly court proceedings. The Housing Services Act must introduce an independent, fair and transparent appeals process for housing providers.

Tell the government that this opportunity to improve Ontario’s affordable housing system cannot be wasted.

Take Action NOW:

1. Copy this email and add your own reasons for the government to make these changes, then send it to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy , BEFORE MARCH 31, by emailing the clerk at: trevor_day@ontla.ola.org

2. Call/email your MPP and tell them that the new Housing Services Act, must be changed to better protect tenants and promote affordable housing.


Even with these changes, Ontario needs to improve the long-term affordable housing strategy by introducing targets and timelines and funding in order to meaningfully address the housing crisis. Ontarians need:
• New affordable housing units and repairs to rundown housing.
• A housing benefit and rent regulation to close the gap between low incomes and rising rents.
• Supports and services to help people access and maintain housing they can afford, and to ensure equitable, inclusive communities.

You can view the proposed legislation at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario web page: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2440&detailPage=bills_detail_the_bill&Intranet

Running on Empty

A new report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks was published yesterday Running On Empty: A Decade of Hunger in Ontario




Here are the key facts:
402,000 Ontarians a month were forced to turn to food banks in 2010, up

• 28 percent, an unprecedented increase

Since the recession hit in 2008, food bank use in Ontario has grown by

• province of Ontario the third most intensive user of food bank services, after

Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba

In 2010, 3.1 percent of the Ontario population accessed food banks, making the

• In an effort to balance fixed incomes with rising costs of living, more Ontario

seniors are turning to food banks to make it through the month – 12 percent of

the adults served were over 65 in 2010, up from 4 percent in 2009.

You can send a message to all of Ontario's political parties by GOING TO THIS WEB PAGE, and tell them:

"As a proud citizen of the Province of Ontario who is committed to supporting my neighbours, I must make this call to action: ensure that your party delivers real solutions for individuals and families facing hunger in Ontario. This issue will impact how I vote in the upcoming provincial election.

More than 400,000 Ontarians--40 per cent of whom are children--are served each month by Ontario's food banks.  Solutions to assist individuals and families that turn to food banks would have a tremendous impact on their long term health and well-being.  It is hoped that you and your party will show leadership on this issue and deliver real results."

Bad policy creates the poverty trap
Globe & Mail

"So there it is folks. Bad public policy is marginalizing the generation we were counting on to keep the economy humming as baby boomers head into retirement. This is devastating news for Canada at a time when the priority is to accelerate productivity growth to meet global competition. The combination of low-paid work and rents that far surpass their purchasing power leaves too many low-income Canadians hungry and malnourished and undermines the longer term prospects for the Canadian economy."

• sharply from 374,000 in 2009