Archive for the ‘Social Security’ Category
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It’s time to tear down the “welfare wall” for persons with disabilities
Wednesday, July 5th, 2017
… plenty can be done by both the federal and provincial/territorial governments to tear down the “welfare wall.” … Ottawa could assume responsibility for income security for persons with disabilities, whether they are working or not… The shift to federal authority would result in a windfall savings to provinces and territories… [which] would help Ottawa achieve its twin goals of poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
Tags: budget, disabilities, economy, featured, jurisdiction, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | 1 Comment »
Dismantling the Welfare Wall for Persons with Disabilities
Monday, May 15th, 2017
For most Canadians with disabilities, the promise of the social security system far exceeds its performance, especially for persons with severe impairment. Many cannot qualify for public or private insurance because the eligibility criteria require employment or the programs are delivered as a workplace benefit. Thousands of individuals with serious disabilities end up on social assistance or welfare – the leanest of Canada’s social programs.
Tags: budget, disabilities, ideology, mental Health, participation, standard of living, tax
Posted in Social Security Delivery System | No Comments »
We can improve mental-health care by fighting poverty
Monday, May 8th, 2017
We know that poverty aggravates our mental health, but we are not investing in anti-poverty strategies. Why is that? … Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent promise to provide $70-million to target mental-health care will fund more services and expand the number of professionals, but those dollars will not reach the people who need it most.
Tags: ideology, mental Health, participation, poverty
Posted in Health Debates, Social Security Debates | No Comments »
Ontario’s social experiment: Can basic income buy happiness?
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
It is unknown whether basic income will work in the 21st century or on a larger scale. Critics see it as a disincentive to work, not to mention unsustainable, while supporters see it easing the burdens on the health-care system, as well as a necessity in a world without jobs… If deemed successful, basic income could be rolled out more widely and transform how social assistance is provided.
Tags: budget, economy, featured, globalization, Health, ideology, jurisdiction, mental Health, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »
Ontario’s ‘basic income’ pilot helps defuse political anger that stems from economic exclusion
Thursday, April 27th, 2017
Canada’s existing welfare programs are far too limited. In Ontario, for example, a single adult receives payouts equal to about 45 percent of the poverty line, or approximately $9,000. Existing programs also include dehumanizing micro-eligibility requirements that dilute self-respect, discourage work, and frustrate hardworking caseworkers. They trap people in poverty rather than providing them with a bridge to the economic mainstream.
Tags: economy, featured, ideology, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Policy Context | No Comments »
A Stronger Safety Net
Thursday, April 27th, 2017
… filing a tax return would automatically trigger a “no-strings-attached” cash grant for anyone whose income falls below the poverty line. Less of the money earned above the $1,320 would be clawed back, providing a greater incentive for claimants to work, says Segal. The proposed program is far easier to administer, less paternalistic and allows people to spend their money as they choose…
Tags: economy, featured, ideology, poverty, standard of living, tax
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »
Why free money is a hard sell in tough times
Thursday, April 27th, 2017
The go-go growth of four decades ago was not an ideal incubator for an idealistic income support program. Critics might have said, back then (if not now): Get a job… Today it’s possible to get a job, but harder to keep a job, because jobs for life turned out to be short-lived… Pick your poison: globalization, automation, artificial intelligence or information technology… Against that backdrop, the guaranteed minimum payout has been rebranded a basic income.
Tags: budget, economy, featured, ideology, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »
Kathleen Wynne’s basic income plan is bread without circuses
Wednesday, April 26th, 2017
… it is not clear that it will do much more for the poor. The maximum basic income subsidies — $16,989 for singles and $24,027 for couples — represent just 38 per cent of median income in Ontario adjusted for family size… there is a sense of inevitability to all of this — a feeling that the world of work has changed to such an extent that nothing can be done to keep wages at a viable level and that the only way to avoid social chaos is to subsidize them.
Tags: disabilities, economy, featured, ideology, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Policy Context | No Comments »
Ontario launches basic income pilot for 4,000 in Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Lindsay
Tuesday, April 25th, 2017
… single adults between the ages of 18 and 64 will receive up to $16,989 annually and couples will receive up to $24,027. People with disabilities will receive an additional $6,000. Single people would have to earn less than about $34,000 to qualify and the income cut-off for couples would be about $48,000… Those on social assistance will be able to keep their drug cards and other benefits. But Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan payments will be deducted from the basic income dollar for dollar.
Tags: budget, featured, ideology, jurisdiction, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Policy Context | No Comments »
Three Ontario cities to test basic income in three-year pilot project
Monday, April 24th, 2017
Residents of Hamilton, Lindsay and Thunder Bay will be the first Ontarians to receive a guaranteed minimum income as part of a new provincial pilot project… Premier Kathleen Wynne… said the level of support starts at just under $17,000 a year for single people, and while that isn’t extravagant, she says it will make a real difference in people’s lives.
Tags: budget, featured, ideology, jurisdiction, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »
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