The Ontario NDP Platform
Pollsters tell us that Ontario’s New Democrats may double their seat total in next month’s provincial election. It’s also entirely conceivable that they could be part of a coalition government…
Poverty
2011 Ontario Election: Parkdale-Highpark All Candidates Forum Response
The following is my observations and reflections from attending an All Candidates Forum for the riding of Parkdale-Highpark. Click here for an overview on the candidates for this riding. While…
We have a choice – SFL Issues Campaign
Check out the newest SFL Labour Issues Campaign Booklet on the economy and the environment. (pdf): We have a choice
Ontario Student Debt
Last week, the CCPA released a paper by David Macdonald and Erika Shaker entitled Under Pressure: The Impact of Rising Tuition Fees on Ontario Families. The paper does a good…
So the BC HST Was Defeated. Now What?
Earlier today, Elections BC announced the much anticipated HST referendum results. British Columbians have voted to scrap the HST. The best part about having the results is that now we…
The deserted but beautiful homes of Detroit – A look at Kevin Bauman’s "100 Abandoned Houses" collection
Detroit has been the poster child of the American recession for number of years. While many Detroit organizations and residents are taking a “do-it-yourself” approach to rebuilding their city, their…
Where Have We Seen This Before
When I look at Canada today I see many disturbing issues,among them I see high unemployment, massive income inequity,increasing poverty,hunger and homelessness. I also see higher education being priced out…
Tuition Has Increased 41% Since 1998
A recent cbc.ca article reports on plans by Quebec student groups to protest planned tuition hikes by the Charest government. Over a five-year period, Quebec’s Liberal government plans to increase…
Little Victor Update | Repetitive cacophony
A few years ago there was an episode of Family Guy called “Stewie Loves Lois”, where Stewie — the family baby who has spent most of his life trying to…
Wednesday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. - Marc Lee tears into the "unfunded liabilities" spin on public benefits which is now making an appearance in Canada: (W)hat’s missing from this…
Unequal interest
In my column this week, I pointed out the need to combat poverty and inequality in order to achieve better outcomes in all kinds of areas even if we're not…
New column day
Here, on how new evidence on the effects of poverty and inequality gives us all the more reason to fight them.For further reading...- Of course, the Equality Trust is the…
Should We Just Up And Close Food Banks ?
That's what Elaine Power, an associate professor at Queen’s and some one who has spent more than a decade researching hunger and volunteering at food banks, recommended in her column…
Sunday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material to end your weekend.- Nick Falvo discusses the unfortunate theory that any talk of improving standards of living for the neediest Canadians is either fruitless or extreme politically:In…
Is Social Assistance a “Poverty Pariah?”
An article in the current edition of NOW Magazine looks at social assistance in Ontario. The article is aptly entitled “Poverty Pariah,” in light of how apparently unpopular Ontario’s welfare…
I have seen the future of Canada’s working class
It is Vancouver's East Hastings street.I left Salmon Arm, over a month ago, and arrived here, in rags and tatters.How can I describe Skid Row? Take an average man, get…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. - Jeffrey Simpson laments the Cons' evidence-averse crime policies. But it's worth noting that Simpson is off base on one point: much as he…
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.- Jeffrey Simpson has a bit of trouble recognizing that inequality applies at all rungs of the income ladder, not merely as a matter of…
Thursday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your review.- Iglika Ivanova calculates the cost of poverty in British Columbia:My findings confirm what we’ve already suspected: poverty comes with a very high price tag. The…
How much does poverty cost BC?
We’ve known for a long time that we all pay for poverty. We just didn’t know how much. This is the question I investigate in my latest CCPA report The…