Pat Capponi’s Order of Canada recognizes advocacy for mentally ill Pat Capponi is a psychiatric survivor who lived in poverty for years. Now she’s an outspoken advocate for those living in poverty and with mental illness. She has been awarded… Continue Reading
Laurie Monsebraaten Jul 18 2010 Theresa Schrader was a terrible loser. But it wasn’t losing her home, her family or her dignity to a life of addiction and the streets that tore her apart. It was losing two babies to… Continue Reading
Laurie Monsebraaten Nov 30 2009 Bronwen Sims calls it Ontario’s “work disincentive program.” The 35-year-old woman, who suffers from bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia, has been living in poverty on Ontario’s disability support program for the past 10 years while doctors… Continue Reading
Carol Goar June 19, 2009 The four-month interlude between the announcement of Ontario’s poverty reduction plan and the release of the provincial budget was a tough time for Children’s Minister Deb Matthews. The economy was deteriorating. Her government colleagues were… Continue Reading
Carol Goar Nov 12 2008 One of the delegates brought along a sleeping bag. He stretched it out and fell asleep whenever the proceedings bored him. Another lost his train of thought at the microphone, apologized, and said he might… Continue Reading
Carol Goar June 22, 2007 The way to become an expert on poverty in Canada is to get a university degree, run a social agency, join a think-tank or work as a welfare official. Living in poverty doesn’t count. Knowing… Continue Reading
Carol Goar April 11 2007 They’d battled drug addiction, cancer, racism, sexual abuse and mental illness, but they all agreed one foe was harder to beat than any of them poverty. Once a person loses everything – home, job, income,… Continue Reading