Over the summer, I participated in the Centre for Environmental Health Equity’s Knowledge Leaders in Children’s Environmental Health program. The program brought together 20 emerging leaders in children’s environmental health research, policy, and community advocacy from across Canada to share knowledge, experience, and priorities and to collaborate to improve health and health equity for children […]
Archives for 2012
A step forward for affordable housing in Toronto – more steps required!
The Wellesley Institute’s Director of Housing and Innovation has written a background piece for The Toronto Star that welcomes the recent decision of Toronto City Council’s Executive Committee to preserve most of Toronto Community Housing’s single family homes . While saving existing affordable housing is critical important when the city’s affordable housing wait list is […]
Continue ReadingA step forward for affordable housing in Toronto – more steps required!
Canada has failed to meet its international housing commitments
Canada’s federal government has failed to meet the housing commitments that it made to the United Nation’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of 2009. That’s a key observation in the Wellesley Institute’s submission to the upcoming United Nation’s review of Canada’s international human rights obligations, set for early in 2013. Canada has signed the International Covenant […]
Continue ReadingCanada has failed to meet its international housing commitments
Big win for TCHC tenants and for all of Toronto: Affordable homes saved!
Toronto City Council’s Executive Committee voted unanimously on October 9 to back a plan by Councillor Ana Bailao’s special housing working group to preserve most of Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s affordable single family homes. The Bailao committee recommends that 619 homes be saved and proposes the sell-off of only 55 homes. It sets out a […]
Continue ReadingBig win for TCHC tenants and for all of Toronto: Affordable homes saved!
Toronto needs affordable homes: WI backs TCHC working group recommendations
As Toronto’s affordable housing wait list continues to set new records month after month, the need to preserve and maintain as much affordable housing as possible remains a top priority for Toronto Community Housing Corporation, and for Toronto City Council. The Wellesley Institute’s Director of Housing and Innovation, Michael Shapcott, will deliver a strong message […]
Continue ReadingToronto needs affordable homes: WI backs TCHC working group recommendations
Hardship Fund is vulnerable… again
The Hardship Fund is a municipal program 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. Supports and services that are covered include vision care, […]
Homeless and precariously housed Torontonians targeted in $22 million cuts to vital services
The Ontario government is cutting $21 million from provincial homelessness prevention funding given to the City of Toronto as of January 1, 2013. Details about the massive 16% cut in provincial funding is set out in a report that will be considered by Toronto City Council’s Executive Committee on Tuesday. When the provincial government announced its Long-Term Affordable […]
Childhood obesity in Ontario: why we must act now
Childhood obesity is increasing in Ontario and this has caused concern amongst governments, communities, and families. For kids, obesity can also lead to a lifetime of poor health but by tackling childhood obesity now we can lead kids toward a healthy adulthood. In Canada: 26 percent of children and adolescents aged 2-17 are overweight or […]
Continue ReadingChildhood obesity in Ontario: why we must act now
News on social assistance expected… Watch this space!
We have received word that the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario will be reporting to the government next week (*see update below). The Wellesley Institute, in partnership with leading health organizations in Toronto, engaged with the Commission throughout its process to ensure that opportunities for good health were included as a […]
Continue ReadingNews on social assistance expected… Watch this space!
Toronto affordable housing sets yet another all-time record
Toronto’s affordable housing wait list hit another new record in August with 86,604 households on the full list – up 27% from the 68,369 households in August of 2011. Toronto’s affordable housing wait list includes 159,965 women, men and children with low incomes who are lining up for a space in the 10% of city housing […]
Continue ReadingToronto affordable housing sets yet another all-time record