poverty « Social Policy in Ontario

Posts Tagged ‘poverty’

Canadian Dental Care Plan expands to include millions of new eligible Canadians

Sunday, March 23rd, 2025

Up to 4.5 million uninsured Canadians between 18 and 64 years-old are expected to join the millions of seniors, children, and adults with a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate already eligible for affordable oral health care services under the CDCP. To date, close to 98% of active dentists, denturists, dental hygienists, and dental specialists in Canada, including those in educational institutions, are caring for patients covered under the CDCP.

Tags: disabilities, featured, Health, poverty, Seniors, standard of living, youth
Posted in Health Delivery System | No Comments »

There is no way this Ontario agency should have such a large surplus. Here’s what it needs to do

Sunday, March 9th, 2025

Legal Aid Ontario’s surplus offers a chance to address systemic issues by raising eligibility thresholds to reflect real living costs. Current thresholds barely align with poverty levels, excluding many in need. Setting realistic criteria would expand access to justice. Expanding legal aid coverage is crucial, especially in family, immigration and housing law, where representation can prevent crises like evictions, deportations and custody losses. A well-funded system must treat these as essential, not secondary, issues.

Tags: budget, featured, ideology, jurisdiction, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Equality Delivery System | No Comments »

A basic income can be a strong investment in mental health

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025

Research shows how poor mental health is a direct consequence of poverty. Money not only helps meet people’s material needs but also alleviates their worries. Reducing poverty translates into significant savings for the economy and the public purse. Canada could save $4 to $10 for every dollar spent on mental health supports. Poverty is not caused by personal failings. It is the social environment people live in that has the greatest impact on life trajectories.

Tags: featured, mental Health, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »

Doug Ford always had a mandate to invest in Ontario, he just didn’t do his job

Friday, January 24th, 2025

Does the current government have the mandate to expand child care provision, tackle the colossal school repair backlog, reduce emergency room waiting times and assist the more than 100,000 Torontonians relying on food banks and 80,000 Ontarians experiencing homelessness? It does.
Yet, that’s not the focus. Year in and year out, the Ontario government’s attention and dollars have been poured into populist and nonsense measures nobody asked for.

Tags: child care, economy, Education, featured, Health, homelessness, poverty
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »

Say what you want about Justin Trudeau — there’s still no arguing Canadians became wealthier while he was in power

Tuesday, January 7th, 2025

…the poverty rate… now nine per cent, [is] down from 14.5 per cent when he first took office… achieved in large part by Trudeau’s Canada Child Benefit, which has lifted as many as half a million children from poverty. Trudeau’s national daycare program has also helped, reducing monthly daycare expenses to $400 from about $2,000, dropping further to about $200 in the next two years… [and] introduction of limited denticare and pharmacare, a foundation for future governments to build on.

Tags: budget, economy, featured, ideology, poverty, standard of living
Posted in History | 1 Comment »

Stream of election gimmicks and promises will violate our human rights obligations

Friday, November 29th, 2024

All of these proposals rely on borrowing money so it can be sent to many people who don’t need it… Meanwhile, homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty are on the rise, and this comes with both immediate and long-term costs. Governments would be wise to invest every extra dollar they have in proven solutions, such as a stronger income security system and non-market housing sector… our governments [are] obligated to steer our society toward the fulfillment of everyone’s human rights…

Tags: budget, disabilities, poverty, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »

It’s not too late to fix a government benefit that could lift thousands more Canadians out of poverty

Tuesday, November 26th, 2024

… its very design ensures that [the Canada Disability Benefit] will help far too few people in need. There are two key reasons for its underwhelming impact: unnecessarily restrictive eligibility criteria, and the wildly insufficient size of the benefit… The CRA applies rigid, and often arbitrary criteria, to establish eligibility — especially with respect to mental health conditions and chronic illness… The other critical flaw in the Canada Disability Benefit’s design is the woefully low benefit of only $2,400 per year.

Tags: disabilities, featured, Health, participation, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »

New Report Finds Record Increases in Child Poverty Rates in Ontario

Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

“For six years and counting, the provincial government has kept the Ontario Works rates frozen, despite record high cost of living and a 20% increase in the prices of goods and services since 2018”… The report card lays out an evidence-based, inclusive and achievable path toward ending child and family poverty in Ontario. It offers over 20 recommendations that would address gaps in income security, child care, child welfare, youth mental health, housing, food security, and decent work.

Tags: budget, featured, jurisdiction, mental Health, poverty, standard of living
Posted in Social Security Debates | No Comments »

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Social Policy in Ontario