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Rights on the Line
Human Rights Watch Work on Abuses against Migrants in 2010
December 11, 2010
Summary
Key Recommendations
I. Exploitation of Migrant Workers
II. Abuse and Detention at Borders
III. Inadequate Health Care for Migrants in Detention
V. Migration and Trafficking
Municipal
Patterns of Youth Homelessness in Toronto
Youth are mainly driven to the streets for reasons that are beyond their control and are forced into situations that are unsafe and threatening, says Homelessness Hub. There are clear patterns in the ways that youth become homeless and in their leaving the streets. Youth become homeless mainly because they have little choice, having been kicked out of their homes, or fleeing situations of abuse; or being released from foster care. This research summary speaks about that and other elements you need to know.
See also, Changing Patterns for Street Involved Youth published by Public Interest in 2009.
Three Cities within Toronto
Income Polarization Among Toronto’s Neighbourhoods, 1970-2005
J. David Hulchanski. Associate Director, Research Cities Centre University of Toront latest examination of Toronto’s 35-year income polarization trend is not only dividing the city into rich and poor neighbourhoods, but it is also triggering a city-wide health crisis.
Provincial
Catholic Charities Among Groups Participating In Social Assistance Review Discusssion
A Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario (SARC) will work through the summer to develop recommendations it hopes will improve social assistance in Ontario.
The Commission is led by Frances Lankin and Munir Sheikh and consultations are taking place about the issues outlined in SARC’s first consultation paper, Issues and Ideas.
"Bringing In Women's Voices" Lets Voices Of Low-Income Women Be Heard In Sarc Talks
Consensus among over 200 women, most sole supporters, as part of ‘Bringing in Women’s Voices’, initiated by Ontario Campaign 2000 and Income Security Advocacy Centre, was that the SARC review bring about changes that specifically address the unique needs of sole support mothers.
An Act to amend the Planning Act with respect to inclusionary housing
Private Member's Bill, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
A Bill that has as its aim the creation of more affordable housing for Ontario passed second reading in the Ontario legislature on June 3rd and was referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. If passed into legislation, Bill 58 will amend the province's Planning Act, enabling municipalities to introduce Inclusionary Housing By-Laws and programs.
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet;=&BillID;=2340
Federal
Government, Provinces Agree On New Short-Term Framework On Housing
Three years after the federal government promised a five-year extension of key national housing investments, a new short-term housing framework agreement was announced on July 4, 2011 with the provinces and territories.
While the agreement provides no new money and has the same flaws in the 2001 housing framework agreement, the federal government will honour its 2008 housing promise when it announced a five-year extension of several housing and homelessness investments.
Federal Government says it will "take under advisement" a report from Senate, calling for action on poverty, national housing strategy
The federal government says that it will take "under advisement" a Senate committee report that calls for action to be taken on ending poverty across Canada and establishing a national housing strategy.
The report, "IN FROM THE MARGINS: A CALL TO ACTION ON POVERTY, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS," makes 74 specific recommendations on poverty and homelessness and calls for the creation of a national housing strategy. The report says that 3.4 million Canadians are trapped in poverty with many government programs "substantially broken."
Among the report's 74 recommendations is a call for Ottawa to set a goal of "poverty eradication" and to work with the provinces to create a national child-care system, a federal housing strategy and to ensure income support for people on welfare meets the poverty level.
BILL C-304 SUPPORTED BY THREE POLITICAL PARTIES IN COMMONS
The Third reading debate on Bill C-304, the draft legislation to create a national housing plan for Canada began on Wednesday evening, October 20th , in Parliament. Three of the four political parties in the Commons have pledged their support.
Bill C-304 calls on the federal government, in partnership with the provinces, the territories, first nations, municipalities and stakeholders, to develop a strategy to develop a national housing plan. The sponsor of the bill, Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, told MPs that the bill "is very straightforward and clear...That is why so many people have signed on in support of this bill."
CUTS TO LONG-FORM CENSUS POSE THREAT TO OBTAINING CRUCIAL DATA USED BY SOCIAL SERVICES AND FOR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICY
MultiFaith Alliance To End Homelessness (MFATEH)
The federal government has announced that it will drop the mandatory long-form Census of Canada for 2011. It plans to replace it with a voluntary survey, the National Household Survey, to be distributed later next Spring.
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/why-you-should-care-about-the-long-census-forms-demise/article1630413/
The Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/831021--wrong-move-on-census
List of organizations for and against government's action on the census
http://datalibre.ca/census-watch/
RNAO Letter Regarding Census Concerns
http://www.rnao.org/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID;=3276&SiteNodeID;=403&BL;_ExpandID=
BILL C-304 /National Housing Plan
An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians
Private Member's Bill (Libby Davies /Vancouver East), House of Commons
Bill C-304, the proposed National Housing strategy bill, hopes to create legislation that would lead to a national housing strategy for Canada.
It calls for a National Housing Strategy that would bring together all levels of government to enact a plan to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians. The Bill has already passed first and second reading in the Commons, and has been amended at committee after hearings with expert witnesses.
ENGLISH
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/lop/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=E&Session;=22&query;=5708&List;=toc
FRENCH
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/lop/legisinfo/index.asp?Language=F&Session;=22&query;=5708&List;=toc
MultiFaith
'FAITH IN ACTION' CALLS FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The report of the MultiFaith Alliance to End Homelessness (MFATEH) and the City of Toronto's Affordable Housing Office continues to be well-received. It reports on an event earlier this year that brought together members of the city's diverse faith communities to discuss ways to take action to create safe, affordable, accessible housing in Toronto.
Faith In Action Report: Final
Affordable Housing - Faith Communities
Social Services
Daily Bread Report High Cost Of Housing Makes People Hungry
Too many people are still going hungry too much of the time, according to the Daily Bread Food Bank's 2011 profile of hunger in the GTA, "Hunger Snapshot: Fighting Hunger".
From March to April this year, for example, there were over a million people, 1,082,000 people who used food banks – there were 908,000 in Toronto and in the GTA itself, the number was 174,000!
Simcoe County social services sign on to Charter, pledging better health for families, children and youth
Forty child, youth and family social services in Simcoe County as well as all nineteen county municipalities have signed a Child and Youth Charter, documenting the rights of young people and the responsibilities of those who care for them. Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County is a member of both the Coalition and the Basic Needs Task Group which has just released its first broadsheet on the right to nutritious food and safe drinking water.
Launched in 1999, Coalition members have been working to increase the effectiveness of the social services delivery system in Simcoe County. Members have committed to finding collaborative solutions to three major problems for children, youth and their families: meeting basic needs such as food and shelter, enhancing access to needed services, and ensuring inclusion of Francophone, First Nations/Métis and Inuit communities.
Consultations Are Underway Regarding Restraint Measures For Public Sector Compensation
Province of Ontario, Finance Ministry
Public service employers and labour leaders are in ongoing discussions with the Ontario government about managing upcoming compensation negotiations in light of the restraint measures aimed at the public sector.
The restraint measures were and announced by the government in the 2010 Budget. They will now begin to be felt by the broader public sector employers and employees.
"It is obviously a matter of great concern and will have significant impact on Ontario's social services system in the years ahead, one already grappling with perennial short falls in funding and during a time of increasing need," said Michael Fullan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2010/faq_july.html
Public Sector Compensation in Ontario July 20, 2010
Qs and As - Public Sector Compensation
Catholic Charities Member Agencies
CFSPD BOOST
Catholic Family Services Dufferin-Peel (CFSPD)
Catholic Family Services Dufferin-Peel (CFSPD) received a $5 million dollar boost in federal funds to complete its new Family Justice and Child Abuse Centre in Brampton. The 30,000-square-foot facility is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2011.
http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/article/813709--social-services-get-huge-cash-boost
PROPOSED LEGISLATION, COALITION AIM TO END PICKETING BEFORE HOMES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Community Living
Organizations and agencies working with people living in supportive homes with developmental disabilities have been struggling with problems arising from labour disputes.
Poverty and Poverty Reduction
Working poor still struggle to escape poverty
The "Working Poor" in the Toronto Region: Who they are, where they live, and how trends are changing, the report published by the Metcalf Foundation says the "working poor" accounted for over 70,000 adults in Toronto and more than 113,000 in the surrounding area. Their numbers rose by 42% from 2000 to 2005.
"Working Poor" Summary Report
"Working Poor" Full Report
At the same time, working poverty has been on the increase as the job market produces lower-wage jobs. Minimum wages only grew by 8.9% between 1995 and 2005, but inflation increased by over 22%. They also must contend with the highest cost of living in Canada, and second most expensive housing market in the country.
"Across the Toronto Region, many people are working in jobs where they remain poor. The people serving you at a food counter are often struggling to put food on their own table," said John Stapleton, a respected social policy analyst who led the team that developed the report.
International
UNAIDS Report | 2011
Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support
Since the early days of the HIV epidemic, people have struggled against the odds and faced significant risks in pursuit of a more equitable world that supports their well-being. People with purpose and vision have led the HIV response, and their struggle has evolved into unprecedented national commitment.
Recognizing the need to respond to the complex social, health and development challenges inherent in HIV, countries have adopted a multi-sectoral response to HIV that includes government ministries, civil society, people living with and affected by HIV, international development partners, United Nations agencies, faith-based communities and the private sector. Universal access to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support is the culmination of these commitments.
http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/Global_report.htm
WHO | Universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care
http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/universalaccess/en/index.html
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