People who identified as Arab, Middle Eastern, West Asian, Latin American, South East Asian or Black were 6-9 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than the White population according to new figures from Toronto Public Health covering the period from mid-May to July. Similar results were reported from Peel Regional Public Health Unit […]
Comparative lives lost analysis: A lens on the adequacy of our COVID-19 response
The first wave COVID-19 effort from Government, health, charities, businesses and our population has been extra-ordinary. But with over 8500 deaths, we need to take stock and see if there are ways we can improve for the likely second wave. It has now become clear that the early days of Canada’s pandemic response were characterized […]
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The new normal: moving from surviving to thriving
COVID-19 has changed everything. But COVID-19 has changed nothing. It has shown us that the old normal was not working because it made us more susceptible to the pandemic. We were not properly investing in health and social services. We were not looking after the most vulnerable. And, we were creating new vulnerable populations through […]
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A new normal
I am told that we are preparing to slowly get back to normal. That fills me with dread. I remember normal. Normal was when Ontario had its highest ever GDP per capita, but at least 350,000 people used food banks and social assistance rates were so low that those considered too sick to work were […]
COVID-19: Remembering the forgotten
The Federal Government has released at least 20 different measures to support individuals through the impacts of COVID-19 and the public health response. These have included changes in the rules for existing supports such as EI, increases in programs such as child benefit and new benefits such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). But […]
Who’s missing out? COVID-19 Supports and Benefits Rapid Analysis
Wellesley Institute conducted a rapid analysis on the accessibility of recently announced COVID-19 income support programs and benefits. These included changes to child benefit, employment assistance and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Access the report below.
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Do Syrian refugees perceive improved physical and mental health a year after resettling in Canada?
Refugees often deal with many issues that increase their vulnerability to diseases during the migration process. Refugees are extremely resilient people and while there are diagnosed physical and mental health problems that may be higher among some, upon arrival in a host country refugees often report good self-perceived physical and mental health. In our latest […]
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Institutional racism: what we can learn from London
18-year-old Stephen Lawrence was waiting for a bus in South London, England in 1993. Racist thugs attacked him, beat him and he died from his injuries. Everyone knew who did it, but the police bungled the investigation so they walked free. Stephen’s parents and the community pressed the UK government for a public inquiry. When […]
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Rethinking the Definition of Institutional Racism
This article launches a new and more simple definition of institutional racism. A more straightforward definition will help organizations take action. Simply put, institutional racism exists when there are racial disparities with no effective action to decrease them.
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Rethinking the definition of institutional racism
After 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence was killed by racist thugs while waiting for a bus in South London in 1993, no one would have guessed that it would lead to a rediscovery of the concept of institutional racism, a revolution in public services in the UK, and a new definition of racism in Canada in 2017. […]
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