Liberals deliver on Canada Child Benefit Joanna Smith Laurie Monsebraaten Mar 22 2016 Toronto single mother Ava Williams was in shock when she learned Tuesday’s budget could mean an additional $4,000 a year for her four children. “Honestly, I’d have… Continue Reading
Ontario to end clawback of child support for parents on welfare Damaris Bueno, with her daughter Mia, 4, welcomes plans to allow single parents on social assistance to keep more of their child support income. (Damaris Bueno photo) Laurie Monsebraaten… Continue Reading
Advocates taking Canada’s housing policy to UN Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star Order this photo Mike Creek, right, a formerly homeless Toronto man, and lawyer Kenneth Hale, of the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario. Laurie Monsebraaten Feb 20 2016… Continue Reading
High hopes for federal action to end child poverty Laurie Monsebraaten Nov 24 2015 Canadians have elected a government that appears ready to tackle child poverty with a list of progressive measures, including a new national benefit that could lift… Continue Reading
Province urged to allow women on welfare to keep child support Laurie Monsebraaten April 16 2014 When she couldn’t find work after completing a social work diploma last spring, Jennifer Gray and her 7-year-old daughter reluctantly moved into a homeless… Continue Reading
National Household Survey 2011: Ontario making progress fighting poverty Ontario rates of low-income suggest provincial efforts to reduce poverty are paying off. Laurie Monsebraaten Sep 11 2013 Dawnmarie Harriott was on welfare and living in a downtown Toronto rooming house… Continue Reading
Catherine Porter Apr 26 2011 When Judy Cong immigrated to Canada a decade ago, she promised her parents she’d sponsor them soon. She was an electronic engineer with 11 year’s experience at a Chinese steel company. She figured she’d find… 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 Jul 19 2010 For years, “hope” was just a four-letter word to anti-poverty activist Mike Creek. After working his way up in the hotel industry from dishwasher to head office manager, Creek lost it all in 1993 when… 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