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‘Pay-for-performance’ poverty plan
Sunday, March 25th, 2012
March 11, 2012
“Governments can’t simply fund every demanded service without regard for the taxpayers’ ability to pay,” Finley said… “Governments can, however, facilitate and empower others to deal with social challenges.”… the government is considering “pay-for-performance agreements” in which federal dollars are only paid when clearly identified targets are met. Such an approach would have the private sector more involved in addressing social challenges and delivering innovative solutions…
Tags: budget, poverty, standard of living, tax
Posted in Social Security Delivery System | 1 Comment »
Child poverty key issue
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
January 11, 2012
If governments want to put the economy at the top of their agendas, actions that focus on improving children’s’ well-being should be prioritized… The Canadian Pediatric Society said that child care, mental health and poverty are some of the key areas related to kids for which there are clear economic benefits to be had by taking action… Instead… the opposite has happened in recent years as youth issues have been pushed aside by governments in order to deal with the economy and Canada’s aging population.
Tags: ideology, poverty, rights, standard of living, youth
Posted in Child & Family Policy Context | No Comments »
Are Canadian values shifting to the right?
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Dec. 9, 2011
… whether the Conservative dominance of federal politics is cause or consequence, or both, there’s a widespread belief that Canadian values are more conservative than they were and they are becoming more conservative all the time. But is that true? …Since 2004, we have indeed experienced a tectonic shift in the nation’s political dynamic. But it’s a mistake to assume, as so many do, that this proves the national political values have changed. We have to consult the evidence. And the evidence, limited as it is, suggests Canadian political values haven’t budged.
Tags: Health, ideology, multiculturalism, poverty, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Give to charities, but also advocate for justice for the poor
Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Dec. 6, 2011
Justice is the gift that keeps on giving, through January and beyond. It tackles the root causes of poverty rather than focusing on its temporary alleviation… It would rebuild the social safety net that is supposed to help people get back on their feet but increasingly holds them down. It would tackle the chronic hunger experienced by so many… You might think it will be too expensive. But we all pay for poverty through higher health-care, policing, criminal-justice and social-service costs. Purely on economic grounds, it makes sense to tackle poverty directly…
Tags: ideology, philanthropy, poverty, rights, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Policy Context | No Comments »
Home-care system needs federal input, new study says
Friday, October 28th, 2011
October 26, 2011
A new study says Canadian governments must develop a comprehensive long-term, home-care system to fit within the federal-provincial health accord, which is due for renewal in 2014… in the coming years, more seniors will struggle to find the care they need. Lower fertility rates, increasing rates of divorce, remarriage and blended families may also affect the availability of informal care.” … the envisioned long-term, home-care system must be integrated with other services, including health and social support, residential care and community services.
Tags: disabilities, Health, ideology, standard of living
Posted in Child & Family Policy Context | No Comments »
To say minimum wage hike kills jobs is fear mongering
Monday, February 14th, 2011
February 13, 2011
Minimumwage increases in other provinces have not led to job losses but rather have led to lower rates of poverty and higher productivity… A survey released by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce found 85 per cent of its members actually support increasing the minimum wage and 56 per cent say the minimum wage should be at least $10 an hour. Even some B.C. Liberals now admit it was wrong to freeze the minimum wage for 10 years.
Tags: economy, ideology, standard of living
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
How poverty can harm a child’s mind and body
Monday, October 18th, 2010
October 17, 2010
At first glance, the effects of poverty on children are obvious. Secondhand clothes. No cool toys. An extra reliance on school lunches… Look below the surface and the loss of potential wreaked by poverty becomes evident… Experts say poverty can lead to serious, long-lasting health problems that can follow a child into adulthood, even when socio-economic conditions change later in life, and cost the government millions in health costs.
Tags: Health, participation, poverty, standard of living, youth
Posted in Child & Family Debates | No Comments »
Becoming Canadian won’t be that big a change
Saturday, July 17th, 2010
July 14, 2010
… the Canada that welcomed me two decades ago is a much different nation than the Canada that surrounds me now. It was so refreshing to find myself in a country where looking after the well being of your fellow citizens — in your town, in your country, around the world — was intrinsic to the national culture… I had moved to a land of relative economic equality, from a country built on shocking extremes of wealth and poverty… but the fact is, aside from the socialized-medicine thing, y’all have become just like us.
Tags: ideology, immigration, standard of living
Posted in Inclusion Debates | No Comments »
Portugal’s experience points to drug solution
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
June 29, 2010
It has become clear that arresting, prosecuting and jailing heroin and crack addicts doesn’t make them stop using drugs. The illegal drug trade continues to fuel crime and gang violence, and the social and health effects of addiction push the cost to $8.2 billion a year across Canada… Until now, debate over the issue has tended toward the extremes: legalize drugs or impose harsher penalties. Both solutions are misguided, and the polarized controversy has obscured the middle ground, where lie the best solutions.
Tags: budget, crime prevention, Health, ideology
Posted in Health Debates | 2 Comments »
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