Access Alliance celebrates their 20 year anniversary with a photo exhibit: Many Faces, One People: view the world through our lens.
Wellesley Institute and UforChange give an emotional performance at Migration and the City conference
There was colour, music and tears at the joint presentation of UforChange, a youth arts project for immigrant and newcomer youth, which shared preliminary findings at the Migration and the Global City conference yesterday at Ryerson University. A graduate youth from East Africa spoke about how the project had changed her life, exposing her to the world […]
Youth, social policy, and health: making the connections
Currently, when a Crown ward turns 21, they are no longer eligible for provincial assistance through the Children’s Aid Society. Caseworkers are faced with few options other than referring their young clients to shelters and the social assistance system for continued support. A new report released yesterday by the Ontario Provincial Advocate for Youth and Children […]
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Three reasons why cutting the Hardship Fund is unfair and inequitable
News emerged this morning that the City has quietly cut the Hardship Fund – a fund that provides essential medical supports to people who do not receive social assistance, but who have very low or precarious incomes. The Fund meets the needs of residents where the cost of medical items would cause undue financial hardship. […]
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“Sanctuary City” means a healthier Toronto for everyone
By David Leacock, Policy and Research Intern at the Wellesley Institute Yesterday Toronto City Council took an important step toward improving access to the city for undocumented workers. The motion, approved by an overwhelming majority 37-3, affirmed a recommendation from the Community Development and Recreation Committee for the City to explore opportunities to enhance the […]
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Food Banks are a Symptom of Poverty. Let’s Fight the Disease
833,098 Canadians used food banks in March of 2013. Half of food bank users reported social assistance as their primary source of income, a quarter were single parent families, 11 percent were First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and 11 percent were recent immigrants. These Canadians come from a broad range of backgrounds, but they all […]
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What’s Next For Prescription Drug Coverage In Canada?
The recent federal election was notable for a number of reasons, including a strong desire for change and the promise of a tight three-way race. But also notable was that PharmaCare — universal prescription drug coverage — made its way into party platforms and in mainstream political debate. PharmaCare has long been the forgotten cousin […]
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Reducing Childhood Obesity In Ontario Through A Health Equity Lens
Childhood obesity is increasing in Ontario and has significant health implications. But not all children are affected equally by the burden of poor health and obesity. This paper sets out strategies to reduce childhood obesity in Ontario and its associated health problems by taking a health equity and social determinants of health approach.
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Women Living with Long-Term Disabilities in Ontario – Policy Brief
This policy review is linked to the findings of the companion report, Women Living with Long-Term Disabilities in Ontario, on our pilot study of 15 women across the Greater Toronto Area who were receiving disability income supports from a government program or private long-term disability provider. The review briefly outlines the public and private programs that provide supports […]
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WI hosts APA pre-conference
The Wellesley Institute hosted the 117th American Psychological Association pre-conference workshop on August 5th. The day was action-packed, informative and fun, combining historical tours of Black Creek/Jane-Finch and St James Town communities with presentations