Having recently welcomed a baby into our family, I’ve been thinking a lot about the conditions that kids need for a good start in life. A new study from the United States really brought home the connections between income and child health. The study looked at the ability of low income moms to afford the […]
Income Inequality
Rising Inequality, Declining Health: New Report
Last year the Metcalf Foundation released a report on working poverty in Toronto. It found that 113,000 people were living in working poverty in the Toronto region in 2005, a 42% increase from 2000. The report findings indicate that people living in working poverty most commonly work in sales and service occupations; work comparable number […]
Continue ReadingRising Inequality, Declining Health: New Report
Wealth equals health in Toronto, but we can change that
A new study in Toronto shows how socioeconomic status can have a significant impact on your access to health care. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, examined whether patients who identified themselves as either a bank employee or a welfare recipient (implying that they had a high or low income) were able […]
Continue ReadingWealth equals health in Toronto, but we can change that
Important progress toward a health-enabling social assistance system, but more work is required
The release today of the final report of the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario recommends a number of important steps toward improving the health of people on social assistance. Increasing rates Most significantly, the Commission recommended an immediate increase of $100 per month for single people receiving Ontario Works (OW). OW […]
A post-election discussion on jobs and the economy
The 2011 provincial election has resulted in a more complex and potentially promising landscape for advocates. It has been more than twenty-five years since Ontarians have elected a minority government. This minority government will provide some openings for progress on policy development but not for the profound shifts in policy direction that we need and […]
Continue ReadingA post-election discussion on jobs and the economy
Tiny financial savings from cutting Toronto community grants comes with big potential cost
While the financial savings to taxpayers from cutting any or all of the City of Toronto’s grants to community groups is very small, the impact of the loss of that funding would be widespread. Recent research from the Wellesley Institute shows that strong and resilient community networks have a positive impact on individual and population […]
Rushed Policy Process Leaves No Opportunity For Due Diligence
While we understand the City’s fiscal pressures, the Wellesley Institute has concerns about the compressed nature of this year’s budget cycle. Typically, the City budget process continues at least through the fall, allowing the City to more effectively dovetail its budget deliberations with those of the federal and provincial levels of government. This new timeframe […]
Continue ReadingRushed Policy Process Leaves No Opportunity For Due Diligence
TO's shrinking middle class = more poverty, more poor health
Toronto used to be a middle-class, middle-income kind of town – but no more. Prof. David Hulchanski of the University of Toronto’s Cities Centre has updated his maps that dramatically document the shrinking number of middle-income neighbourhoods in Toronto – and the Toronto Star has helpfully put them into an on-line flash graphic .
Continue ReadingTO's shrinking middle class = more poverty, more poor health
Poverty Is Making Us Sick: A Comprehensive Survey Of Income And Health In Canada
Authors: Ernie Lightman Ph.D, Andrew Mitchell, MA and Beth Wilson, MES Released: December, 2008 Summary: This is the conclusion of powerful new tipping-point research released today by the Wellesley Institute and the Community Social Planning Council of Toronto. Poverty is making Canadians sick, robbing hundreds of thousands of their health and leading to widespread preventable […]
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New income numbers confirm growing income inequality
Canada’s growing income inequality is causing increased housing insecurity and is, in turn, leading to growing health inequities, according to the Wellesley Institute, an independent policy and research institute based in Toronto. One-in-four Canadian households have incomes below the fair housing income, according to a new calculation released today. That number rises to one-in-three households […]
Continue ReadingNew income numbers confirm growing income inequality