Living Wages
CFRA: ACORN Urges McGuinty To Lower Cost of Living In Ontario
- Article Information
- Category: Ottawa Living Wage Campaign
- Created on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 15:01
Ottawa ACORN members are demanding an increase to raise social assistance rates.
They'll be petitioning on Mayview Avenue just off Merivale Road this afternoon. Nathalie is a single mother who lives in Carlington. She says the cost of living is too high. "When you go to work, then Ottawa Housing boosts up your rent. And then...you find yourself paying your whole paycheck. So it's like almost the same thing as being on social assistance so it's like a repetitive circle and there's no way out of it."
The group will be sending post cards to Premier Dalton McGuinty urging his government to take action.
Ottawa Citizen: Protesters target McGuinty office to fight social assistance freeze
- Article Information
- Category: Other Updates & Local Campaigns
- Created on Tuesday, 03 April 2012 15:52
ACORN Canada member challenges premier to live on $1,040 a month.
The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer was the statement repeated through the microphone Friday as grassroots organization ACORN protested the latest budget outside Dalton McGuinty's office.
There were about 50 people in attendance to speak out against the social assistance freeze and the child tax benefit cuts that were announced Tuesday in the provincial budget.
Though McGuinty was in Ottawa on Friday to speak about the budget, he was not at his constituency office during the protest. Office staff locked the door and closed the window blinds during the protest.
Kathleen Fortin is a member of the board for ACORN and has been part of the organization for four years. "I'm here to speak for those who can't speak for themselves," said Fortin.
Video: Toronto Rally for Respect Featuring ACORN Canada President Kay Bisnath
- Article Information
- Category: Good Jobs Campaign
- Created on Tuesday, 03 April 2012 15:35
CBC The National: A Living Wage
- Article Information
- Category: New Westminster Living Wage
- Created on Monday, 06 February 2012 14:48
Despite Surplus, Mayor Ford Pushes for Deep Cuts
- Article Information
- Category: Programs and Services
- Created on Thursday, 12 January 2012 19:27
On January 17th, Toronto ACORN members from across the city will be rallying at city hall while city council meets to discuss and vote on Mayor Ford's proposed 2012 budget. Despite the city's close to $150 million surplus, the Ford administration is pushing massive unnecessary service cuts as part of a radical conservative agenda.
Toronto ACORN members will be gathering at 4pm at the front doors of City Hall and progressing into council chambers with the demand that council votes against the proposed cuts to childcare, transit service, community centres, libraries and other services that are essential parts of our neighbourhoods.
Join Us
Where: City Hall (100 Queen St. West)
When: 4pm
Why: Call on City Council to reject Ford's cuts
Living Wage Advocates Cruise to Victory in New West Municipal Elections
- Article Information
- Category: New Westminster Living Wage
- Created on Wednesday, 07 December 2011 22:49
ACORN Canada members were thrilled with the results of the November 19th municipal elections in New Westminster, with key backers of the Living Wage Policy cruising to victory.The results showed once again that living wage policies - as well as being key poverty reduction tools - are winning positions for elected officials. Living wage champion Jaimie McEvoy won easily, increasing his vote total by 30%, proving that having the courage to enact progressive policies that support working families is rewarded on election night.
ACORN Canada's membership in New Westminster launched their campaign for a Living Wage Policy in 2009 as a contribution to the broader Living Wage for Families Campaign. After engaging Coucillor McEvoy, gathering over 1500 signatures, signing up 400 new members, and pushing the campaign forward in City Council, Canada's first living wage policy was eventually passed.
Social Assistance Forum Draws Candidates
- Article Information
- Category: Programs and Services
- Created on Thursday, 20 October 2011 21:42
Ottawa ACORN members hosted a Social Assistance Forum Sept 15 and invited candidates in the provincial election to answer hard hitting questions around the rates of social assistance, special diet, child poverty, affordable housing and more.120 community members attended and as well as a number of local media outlets. Representatives from the New Democrats, Liberals, Green Party, People's for Special Needs Party and others participated. All parties were invited so members and the community could hear their views before casting their vote on election day.
Dan Oickle, a leader from Ottawa ACORN had this to say:
"We did a good event, but politicians need to be held accountable for the promises they make. Politicians are politicians, but we need to make sure they remember who elected them."
Standard Freeholder: Finding allies for ODSP fight
- Article Information
- Category: Other Updates Local Campaigns
- Created on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 20:03
OTTAWA — A lone wolf who has been fighting the Ontario government on his own over claims of discrimination now has an ally.
'Crazy' Dave Thomasson believes his rights — and those of thousands more — are being violated by the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
But his efforts to have ODSP regulations changed in court were foiled by the provincial government.
Now Thomasson has plunked down $10 to join ACORN Ottawa, which organized a lobbying effort this week to influence the province's social assistance review commission.
"ACORN strongly supports and agrees with my position with the ODSP, and they are willing to bring it to the public in Ottawa (at the commission's hearings)," Thomasson said.
ACORN converted the gist of Thomasson's claims onto a flyer, which is being distributed to participants at the hearings.
In the flyer, ACORN has adopted Thomasson's challenge to the provincial government: "Prove Me Wrong, McGuinty Can't" which is accompanied by a $1,000 prize for anyone who proves the ODSP complies with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
It's been 1,640 days since Thomasson issued his challenge.
