People First Media program archive
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Canada gets a “B” on its Society report card for 2012

February 28th, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Canada gets a “B” on its Society report card for 2012)

Despite solid performance, high rates of poverty and a large gap in income between the rich and everyone else put stress on a society and on the economy

picture 458The Conference Board of Canda is an independent, not-for-profit applied research organization that specializes in economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues. The group’s 2012 “report card” on Canada’s performance has revealed that, despite a general “B” grade in the country’s “society” performance, Canada places 12th (out of 17 peer countries) on income equality. Canada has been unable to reverse the rise in income inequality – and poverty rates – that occurred in the 1990s. (more…)

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High profile visit shines a spotlight on youth issues

February 21st, 2013 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on High profile visit shines a spotlight on youth issues)

Laureen Harper, wife of Canada’s prime minister, and Ottawa city councillor Allan Hubley praise the programs of Ottawa’s Youth Services Bureau downtown drop-in centre

picture 456METRO NEWS OTTAWA, February 11, 2013

After years of neglect, youth mental illness is getting the attention it desperately needs, said Laureen Harper as she toured Ottawa’s Youth Services Bureau downtown drop-in centre on February 11, 2013. (more…)

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The real cost of homelessness

September 27th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The real cost of homelessness)

What happens if we shift our energies from managing the problem to actually trying to end homelessness?

It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that it is cheaper and more cost effective to provide people who experience homelessness with the housing and supports they need, rather than simply provide them with emergency supports through shelters and soup kitchens. But research reviewed by Stephen Gaetz of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network indicates that this is actually the case. (more…)

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Nanaimo shelter changes raise concerns

September 6th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Nanaimo shelter changes raise concerns)

Homeless shelter was overwhelmed by demand last winter, so now it will only be open during extreme weather conditions

The First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo has decided to scale back its shelter operations this year, after being overwhelmed by demand last year. The organization’s extreme weather shelter for homeless people had been made available every night between November 1st and April 1st last winter, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. But despite increased funding for the increased availability, volunteers were taxed beyond their limit, with up to 25 homeless people seeking shelter at the 24-bed facility each night. (more…)

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B.C. makes changes to social assistance programs

June 14th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Government surprises many with a host of changes that are designed to support vulnerable families

The British Columbia government surprised many on June 11, 2012 when it announced a long list of changes to welfare assistance in the province. Premier Christy Clark made the announcement, which was described as the first pillar of her Families First Agenda: Supporting Vulnerable Families. The changes and initiatives are designed to “help build a stronger foundation for B.C. families to help them become self-sufficient”. (more…)

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The cost of keeping people poor is high

March 8th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The cost of keeping people poor is high)

Governments say they can’t afford poverty reduction policies but fail to consider the cost paid for consequences of poverty

Poverty is a hardship for those who experience it; it’s also costly to society. Governments say they can’t afford poverty reduction policies like investing in new social housing, increasing welfare, or providing universal access to child care. But they fail to consider the resources spent, year after year, paying for the consequences of poverty.

British Columbia has the highest poverty rate in Canada [opens to PDF] and no plan to tackle it directly. A recent private member’s Bill proposing a BC Poverty Reduction Act, if adopted, would see the government develop a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy within one year, including legislated targets and timelines to reduce poverty in the province. (more…)

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