Responsibility for Housing
On Monday I gave a guest presentation to Craig Jones‘ graduate seminar class in Carleton University’s School of Social Work. My presentation sought to answer two questions: 1. Why should…
homeless
‘Tis the Season to Rethink Our Charitable Giving
This op-ed by yours truly was published in The Province. The examples are BC-specific, but the message is much broader: donating to charity is not enough, we also have to…
Warm to An Idea
I’m going to tell you about something I did yesterday that gave me an idea. It’s a simple one, nothing to change the world, but because it’s simple I hope…
The Bigot Rob Ford and the Homeless Gay Kids
OK. I know that only last night I strongly suggested that the time had come to ignore Rob Ford.That since by now it has been clearly established that he is…
Colonist Editorial Nails It-Provide Homes for the Homeless
It is encouraging to read commonsense and compassionate words from the mainstream media. The Victoria Times Colonist Editorial Department is one of the most progressive and responsible in the country.…
Rental Housing in Yellowknife
Yesterday I blogged about rental housing in Yellowknife, over at the Northern Public Affairs web site. Specifically, I blogged about a recent announcement by the city’s largest for-profit landlord that…
More on the At Home/Chez Soi Study
Earlier this month, I blogged about the At Home/Chez Soi homelessness study prior to the release of its final report. Today I’ve blogged again, this time about the contents of…
10 Things to Know About the At Home/Chez Soi Study
On Tuesday, April 8, results of the Mental Health Commission of Canada‘s At Home/Chez Soi homelessness study will be released at an Ottawa press conference. The study followed more than…
Rising Homelessness
In 2010, I wrote a blog post in which I suggested that: a) the recession of 2008-2009 would bring on increased homelessness; and b) there would be a lag effect…
Affordable Housing and Homelesness
This morning I gave a presentation to an church group in Ottawa on affordable housing and homelessness. My slides can be downloaded here. Points I raised in the presentation include…
Gone — Saying farewell to Perram House (video)
October 5th two artists known as the Department of Public Memory held a memorial service with a twist. Perram House used to be an 8-bed hospice where many of Toronto’s…
Homelessness Policy
This afternoon, I gave a presentation on public policy responding to homelessness in Canada, with a focus on the past decade. I gave the presentation at this year’s annual conference…
The Real Crimes of Rob Ford
If you don't live in Toronto you probably know Rob Ford as the callous, vulgar, Con buffoon, who doesn't know what he is doing, and is always getting into trouble.…
Pat Martin and the Rat Faced Cons
Golly. I have no idea why Pat Martin called the Cons rat faced whores.Martin launched into a Twitter tirade for the ages Wednesday night, calling the Conservative Party “rat faced…
Elizabeth May calls for a “Guaranteed Livable Income” in Canada
by Obert Madondo (@Obiemad) Green Party leader Elizabeth May is calling for a “Guaranteed Livable Income” as a strategy to eradicate poverty in Canada. In a press release commemorating October…
Elizabeth May calls for a “Guaranteed Livable Income” in Canada
Today, October 17, is the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, is…
Canada Is Missing The Poverty Line
Canada is holding out its hands asking for change, our country is in poverty and it needs our help. Where other countries are working to reduce their poverty like responsible…
Meilinomics I: The Little Boats
The following is an excerpt from Dr. Ryan Meili’s new book, A Healthy Society: How a Focus on Health Can Revive Canadian Democracy. There’s a family that comes frequently to…
Think It’s Okay to Feed The Homeless? Think Again!
New York City. Dallas. Houston.Las Vegas. Orlando. Philadelphia. All major US cities that have now BANNED distribution of food to the homeless in some form. Numerous reasons are sited such…