Poverty Awareness in York Region

I'll bet not many of you, or few, are aware of the United Nations Millennium Development goals.  You should, since York Region as well as Canada and 191 other countries have signed on to support it. I bet even the local councillors and individuals who vote or support things they think they thought of, are not even aware where the stuff they vote on is coming from. I'd bet most don't even know it exists - yet they are buying in without questions. Or how about Agenda 21 or sometimes known locally as ICLEI which are linked to it too? Did you know the town of Aurora signed on to the latter? Do they even know what it is? Did they take the time to look in depth to understand all their objectives and goals? I Doubt it.

For example in Markham, York Region, they recently declared a 'Food Charter" which talks about communal gardens and community kitchens  and school meal programs as a means to feed people. This is what they do in communist countries and we all know how that turns out! The ultimate goal - which most of council are unlikely aware since they don't know this global development plan exists or that our country signed on to it - is to control people's food access and force the common people eventually to acquire their food this way. Quotes like from YRMG newspapers on this "charter" such as,

“We believe a collaborative and integrated approach is essential to create a healthy and just food system for all,” are repeatedly used terminology taken right out of the Millennium Development goals.

If this Y.R. "collaborative" group thought of the idea through 2 years of discussions as claimed in news reports then why is it similar models in multiples of other communities across the world are looking at or doing similar actions towards food distribution? Why? Because there was no real discussion on it as the direction was predetermined, just as is spelled out in the M.D. goals. One of it's booster's The Y.R. Food Network (charity) recently was awarded nearly $250,000 to get in the food distribution game. At least thats what the papers said recently. I would hazard a guess the farmer(s)speaking at the charter launch are also benefitting, or going to be. Only a guess.

Just like the rapid transit plans which somehow hundreds of  communities are suddenly adopting. Eventually they plan to make everyone use transit except of course the elite. Remember Animal Farm? They crossed out all animals are equal and replaced it with but some are more equal than others - same deal here. Is that book even part of our schools curriculum anymore or was that phased out? My daughter says they have.

No one called for "rapid" transit in Newmarket so why build it when there is no demand? Because they plan to force people through pricing regular Joes and Jills out of affording cars and fuel that's why.


"Four legs Go-o-o-od...Two legs ba-a-a-ad!"


Don't take my word for it it's all spelled out in the Millenium's goals and not hidden. The data is being disbursed by The World Bank - does that not tell you something? Like they care about the world's poor.

Greenbelts.  Sounds wonderful right? Sounded wonderful to me too, but also part of the millennium plan /Agenda 21's sustainable development goals to have people live only in densely populated areas with little access to anything else in the "green" belts except for recreation and all in the name of "protection". Elites will own property and land while average persons will slowly lose access and be kept in a small densely populated areas to live, work, and play like they are trying to do to Newmarket right now and have already done to Markham by building up, thus forming concentrated areas.

So called prioritizing to take care of women and children, same deal - more  control - and tears at the family unit with a father model. The state more or less becomes the head of the household though make no mistake, not the mother, in their 'model".

The M.D. plan calls for bike paths and roads designed to keep people contained and out of these green areas and traveling on foot and bikes. Eventually people will be told they have no right to access them. So unfortunately groups fighting intensification of living area densities like The proposed oversized Glenway and the Slessor development projects don't realize it's not town council they are up against but actually the United Nations. And again, our local politicians are not even aware it's all part of this master plan which Canada signed onto in 2000 and which is now under the gun to have certain things in place by 2015. Again it's all there in black and white and not hidden but

no mainstream media ever mentions it. Why?




That's covered in the "plan" as well as it states that the media has to be part of the massive plan. Now before you yell conspiracy theorist I implore you to check it out for yourself! It's not hidden! In fact when those leaders met at the 2000 summit it was the largest gathering of world leaders in history yet where's the coverage? And why is it not pointed out
each time an idea is put forward connected to this agenda?

This excerpt from the UN General Assembly  from 2010..note the scare mongering element.

Downtown Newmarket Proposed

Hey, I was as naive as anyone else until I myself noticed in some action groups I participated in with PACC seemed to have pre-determined "solutions". We'd have great "discussions" which, on the surface took everyone's input, but which had predetermined ideas for action. I realized this as there were times I spoke up and others agreed with my position, yet it moved "forward" in these predetermined directions. Later I came to realize they were part of this "plan" so these discussions with these invited action groups, lead by one group, were designed to make you feel like you had input into direction however since they have a predetermined plan it was / is a farce.

Then someone intro'd me to the actual U.N.'s Millennium Development goals in depth and I was stunned.

The U.N. is supposed to be a body that helps the world end wars and uphold rights yet since they've formed we've still had war after war and poverty has not gotten any better except in China, which through everyone buying into their slave labour market, is the exception to reducing poverty. Does this mean we adopt what they do? Or keep rewarding them with business?.

This plan also speaks about International Water Day and all these other wonderful world saving devises that most people are not aware are part of it. Meantime private corporations sell bottled water and drain lakes dry in doing so whilst we drink reworked sewage water. They are preparing us for when they begin controlling water.

But they'll never sell or control our water you say..it's outlawed! Ha. Just like Canada beginning to give control of natural resources to a communist dictatorship that allows slave labour - China - for $15 billion, whereas prior foreign ownership was not allowed to anyone let alone a communist country. So governments can change things - and it matters not which party gets in as they are all in bed together here.

This of course was a tit for tat deal as my prediction is that Scotia Bank, which is trying to get a foothold in China, will be allowed to in a few short years as reward to Canada.

People wonder what's happened that capitalism seems to be failing? Look no further than governments' cozy relationships with charities and businesses of their choosing who become the "elite" - just like in communist countries! Government should not be in cahoots with the private sector and charities as it erodes the "free" system and creates what we have now - the chosen ones. They especially should not be pandering to communists. CIDA's former boss who also headed Petro-Canada and Ontario Hydro,  Maurice Strong, already lives in China and would be arrested if he came back (to the U.S.) for his actions that included making illegal profits on oil for food sales in Iraq. He, along with leaders / politicians like Brian Mulroney, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin, Bob Rae and brother John , Pierre Trudeau, Daniel Johnson, all worked for or came through (controlled / financed by) Power Corp headed by the Desmarais family who have been doing business with China since the 1950's.That for another day!



As our schools now teach our kids we're global citizens, not Canadians, and on, I implore you to read up in depth and you will begin to see that all these wonderful "programs" and charity solutions and communal style directions are part and parcel! 


Just...Food For Thought! Ha Tom Pearson

John Taylor and myself Int Day for Eradication of Poverty - I approached him in 2010 on low income home ownership. He showed no interest at the time.  I was surprised to get a call from Era Banner about "Taylor's' initiative.

  Era Banner scribe Chris Traber and I have an odd understanding between each other. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's a friendship or even a relationship of any sort, but I guess at times we offer each other something each finds valuable. Still, I respect that he continues to call when I've sometimes criticized stories he's written, as well as the paper itself, but still he allows a bone every now and then for P.A.C.C., unlike it seems many other areas in our local mainstream media family. And besides, he does write the odd effective piece, even if he does slightly misquote me on occasion. Ha. His recent article regarding affordable owned housing options is one of those. Aside from him quoting me as saying the region would qualify potential home owners( it's actually the developer who sets that up) there were only a few other minor discrepancies in what he wrote this time.

I raised the idea of owned condos for low income earners, contained in Y.R.'s social audit , with the Newmarket Mayor - not with the Town of Newmarket as reported by Era - Banners Reporter Chris Traber

   For Traber it's been pretty good though I think. The first time we hooked up, P.A.C.C. offered up some great participants in a series on poverty he wrote called "Below the Line" I believe, and it won a (national?) community newspapers press award with that series or so I read about later after the awards presentations and dinner.  Thing was, I wasn't completely pleased with the focus of that series or the way some people's lives were exposed, as giving their names has always been part of the deal. But I learned an early lesson - that being they don't really care about you or your cause - it's just another story to them.  So I try to protect that now (before sacrificing lambs) by being more protective and aware of people's integrity and dignity within a story and trying to safeguard what's revealed accordingly. I also try to advise people not to say too much (like I tend to!) as reporters will pick bullet points and quotes that relate to their story - and not necessarily your subject's focus of need. The more you say the more disjointed your 'quotes". Now I always ask first off about a story's directed focus before going further.

2011 Fairy Lake, Newmarket - that's not two rocks.

   I was certainly not completely pleased after I served up a homeless father and son on a plate for him - mind you they'd requested it in desperation - for a story resulting with the homeless duo then being thrust out into the public limelight with unrealistic bestowed upon expectations. I had wanted its focus to be on the fact that they needed an affordable place to live together - after which they could concentrate on even thinking about a job - and that our system's shelters keep homeless families apart when their kids reach 18.   

The "kid' asked me then, "I don't want to be the kid that doesn't shower, and where would I do my homework?" as he and his father then lived on the streets - or forest rather - and yes, it was winter.

                                 "Just Get A Job!"

   At the time I'd attempted to get Chris to focus on the critical lack of affordable places to live for single adults (as they were now considered by our social safety net system as opposed to a family) in York Region and that expecting people to work before they have a stable place to lay their heads down was just not feasible.

Homeless dad sits in "living room" of friend who died homeless in 2011

   The results of the story brought a bigger reaction to any they'd (Era Banner) ever done on poverty Chris later revealed when contacting me for a follow up, but it's a shame essential points got missed whilst the attention swirled. There was no real focus on housing in the articles nor on the lack of real men's programs or their instilled revolving streets-to-shelter-to-streets system, and secondly it painted a rosy picture of the twosome's future after invoking an unprecedented outpouring of emotional responses from people wanting to help them out. It was touching, no doubt, but much like food bank donating mentality, these were are not dignified solutions, but rather feel-good gestures that help only short term. People felt moved to do something but didn't know what, so it was a perfect time to tell them, and instead they heard about the wonderful so called job offers etc, when what they really needed to hear about the need for immediate longer term help from our safety-net system for guys in their position. But for the Era-Banner and Chris Traber  it was presented as another happy ending. The photos were great too, with the two smiling alongside piles of reader-donated winter wear,  tents, and food - as they were then living outdoor in winter!  I tried to explain to Chris - through all that love and offers, at the end, they still don't have a place to live together - the reason they were homeless to begin with - and until they get a home cannot follow up anything really so write about that I'd urged.


   Offers of a room for the kid alone in another town, or for both in an obscure out of town rural location where they'd not be able to work or school, or of so-called job offers - one being a solar lights installation course you had to pay to take, but was represented in the article as a job offer - another offer required the dad to be bonded for which he was not able to be and another for a job starting months away with a fourth "job offer" - supposedly from a Tim Horton's of which I was never given a contact name for. So really he had no offers but now instantly, the dad would look to be unwilling to work if he wasn't immediately, his face a familiar sight now from the articles written - and the son too for not opting for room in another town away from his dad for free for awhile. Nice, but not solutions for a desperate family clinging to any shred of togetherness left.
   In the end I was able to 1st get the dad a room to rent and then an almost full time job - enough for a room only type- income. The kid was not able to stay in the rental room as the only one was "allowed", but he sneaked him in on occasion for awhile. I did manage some memorable docu-style video footage in parts though that I feel covered most of the ground I mentioned here - and they have received hundreds of viewings to date.

Writer Chris Traber, left,  visits a homeless camp with Tom Pearson in 2011

   Slowly since, over the past two years now, the streets have hardened and swallowed up this kid. His once vibrant and hopeful eyes now replaced with bitterness and the cloud of substance. His frustrated and ailing father, after initially succeeding and loving his new life with his job cleaning buildings with the hopes of obtaining a home for his son, increasingly slipped to drink again as he anguished over the boy's now ingrained habit of hanging amongst younger shelter dwellers, and in alleys he'd hoped to keep him out of.

   So when Chris called this time I asked what the focus was and it was for my opinion as P.A.C.C. chair on the models for owned affordable housing that Newmarket Regional Councilor John Taylor had co-chaired, I just shook my head in dismay. At first I felt a little embarrassed, not even knowing about such a symposium and then hearing one of the very developers I'd spoke to them about, Michel Labbe of Options for Homes which had apparently been developing successful models of mixed income condos, was part of their presentation. It irked me that not only was P.A.C.C. or the social audit getting any mention in this "innovative idea" but seemingly did not rate an even an invite for input as the Region's Grassroots voice for those in low income positions. Time and time again this region makes the mistake of leaving out the grassroots voice of these issues who can help shape systems that work and are more dignified and realistic.

                                     Above Video PACC's Multicultural Road Hockey Program

    I attended a Canada-wide poverty conference a few years back in Montreal where I heard that the best programs that actually worked were the ones that had grassroots origins. Who betters knows what a community needs than the people in those communities they asked? A presenter cited a poor neighbourhood (possibly St Dennis) in Montreal, where within its boundaries lay a warehouse where Cirque Du Soleil made their stage sets. Working from that, they approached the Cirque people about a work program for locals which turned into great careers for some building show sets, enabled hope for the community and provided good jobs close to their homes

   Here at home, one needs only to look at P.A.C.C.'s influence and model in helping form Operation Sparrow which places kids into mainstream activities - without parents going through embarrassing face to face meetings, eliminating any unneeded private info sharing, and included transportation options for all the kids - all P.A.C.C. influences - which I personally chaired the non- profit for 4 years, and PACCer co-chair Kristine Carbis also sat for several years on the board. Anyone who applied then will tell you that program was designed as the best and most dignified of any out there - bar none.Or our road hockey program free to all kids and now running 10 years!

   When I'd discussed the idea of owned mixed housing condos in York Region with Michel Labbe the Executive from non-profit group "options for Homes I'd communicated with about presenting here if I could arrange it he told me at that time the problem was getting the regional governments to part with the land for it. Labbe was one of the presenters at the 'affordable housing symposium" Taylor hosted.

   I subsequently mentioned this and the idea verbally to John Taylor during that 2010 social audit as he participated in the politicians portion, and again in November 2011 during the "Poverty Free Ontario" launch from The York Region Food Network and at least once to Mayor Van Bynen - but not to the town of Newmarket as Chris Traber wrote that I'd said. Neither party responded at the time at all nor showed any interest in pursuing it. The idea for affordable owned condos in a mixed income community that includes qualifying those who would not other wise qualify for a mortgage through the nonprofit developers was then inked into the social audit - which by the way I speak of is of course"Behind the Masks" testimonials from those marginalized by income a comprehensive, in depth cross section look, at York Region's low income issues, which took months to prepare a ( I co-authored it) report from the data, after which the Regional Council adopted its recommendations as representative of the Region to the Ontario government.

    I assumed if Regional Council read it and believed in it, as they endorsed it, and that we'd hear from them to discuss some of the mentioned solutions and ideas but other than a few obscure path crossings P.A.C.C. has pretty much been left out of any processes since. Whatever happened to all that fancy " collaboration" talk we heard so much about with fanfare last year? Oh, that's right, I had to crash that event too to hear that message Ha. No problem, plod on we go.

   But for Taylor to act as "lead" in this innovative idea ( that I personally first raised with him and Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen in 2010 and which its literally contained as my quote contained on page 64 of the 2010 York Region ONLY EVER Social Audit - Behind the Masks testimonials from those marginalized by income - that they both endorsed as regional council members.
  Here's is a quote from my recommendations in the social audit report as received by the Region in 2012 under


"Social housing is not the only solution. New housing that includes rental town homes and apartments and low income ownership models can also be pursued and included in any town / regional planning. A developer offering low income condo units mixed regular cost units approached me with this idea, yet to date, I can't seem to garner any interest from politicians or land owners. They recently successfully launched a similar model in Ottawa, making a percentage of units available to those who would not normally qualify financially for ownership.With developers who are willing to take this kind of approach, innovative solutions such as these can be implemented. Should the regional or municipal governments have an interest, a presentation can be arranged."Tom Pearson

  Obviously it was eventually. But without us..

 I suggest Councilor Taylor and company actually read that audit as it contains some more solutions - like the Talk2one messaging system for homeless people putting them in homes and jobs - another service we first introduced here once including Taylor's Neighbourhood Network / Habitat for Humanity attached dad - having brought the company reps here to present twice, but there was no interest they had said. I pitched the idea to the Region of York too not just via deputation of the social audit entry to council, but personally recommended it to Commissioner Adelina Urbanski during a meeting with her after the Comissioner had newly arrived to the post as PACC had been offering the service on a limited basis and were trying to get them on-board. Now, as I understand, Talk2One is to be launched via the regionally funded " Housing Help Program".I Heard about that through the grapevine too.
  One of my biggest fears of helping collaborate on the social audit, was that there was no guarantee that people opening up to strangers would have an affect and they partcipated because they believed in us. I don't want that unspoken promise to be broken to them, and to that end will be launching a documentary soon to commemorate the social audit. It contains live excerpts from participants including politicians, workers, and those with lived experience including powerful testimonials.

  To date, we hear little on any of the great ideas and initiatives contained in the Y.R. Social Audit and when we do it's second hand - like when Reporter Traber calling me to ask what I thought of "Taylors idea". Ha.

  I'll invite Councilor Taylor to Oct 17 International Day for The Eradication of Poverty at a forum to discuss this idea and other audit contained ideas that they have yet to discover, but I'll tell you what, we weren't paid one penny for the hundreds of hours PACCERS put out into helping produce York Region's social audit and frankly the people represented expect action , not lip service, and so do we.  Our time is valuable.

   Next time out there will be a consultants fee if they want our help, as frankly we're tired of being treated with disrespect, when our track record of community diligence and success suggests we should be valued and listened to.

You can work with us, or work against us all, it's your choice.

Tom Pearson

Former Golden Glove boxer John Fletcher lived here behind the 404 plaza in Newmarket. He died homeless. There is no transitional or assisted housing for single men in YR. The lone Men's shelter runs full most nights. Join us Ap 19 .

  In my previous blog I wrote about being locked in for the Ontario Budget and commented on it a bit and felt I shouldn't let the federal budget go without comment.

  Firstly the feds are planning to implement new rules to make it even tougher for everyone to collect employment insurance - including Ontarians who already get shafted on the eligibility requirements in comparison to most other provinces - rules that will include a provision that workers cannot say no to any 'local"job offer. That is worrisome, like firstly how will they define "local", and secondly that would require a guarantee of transportation to and from said 'local" job which the feds cannot guarantee such as through something like the recent York Region Transit strike which left riders in lurch for 4 months and still has essentially the same problematic deal between the region/transit company/and unions still in place, so there's certainly no guarantee there for them.What would happen then? The onus would be on the worker as the feds would say, " public transportation is a municipal matter" is what.

  Also quietly buried in the feds' budget was the fact that they have killed the National Council of Welfare which, since 1962, has been there with a government mandate to advice and warn policy makers about the consequences of neglecting poverty issues. Their 1.1 million dollar budget afforded them the ability to access expensive unpublished Stats Canada facts and data that anti-poverty advocates used to make their points and present their educated ideas from. Not any more, as another long standing social agency bites the dust. You couple this with the recent elimination of the long form census and what we will have here is a situation wherein the government will be able to fudge facts and figures and no-one will be able to counter with any certainty - a fact the shrewd working feds are banking on. Meantime Back in Ontario Dolton is licking his chops..quietly.

  Speaking of Premier MCgee..rumour has it he's making a "mannequin tour" this coming weeks as part of the "Put Food in the Budget" Campaign with the idea that people can speak their mind to the real - life sized-looking Mcguinty lookalike, a version of which will be hanging out with me in York Region from April 19 to 23d should anyone like to "interview" him...on camera of course! The tour gets kicked off at Toronto's Queen's Park April 19 at 1:30PM to draw attention to the freeze in social assistance and ODSP rates as contained in the Ontario budget, and removal of the "Start-up" fund which in essence eliminates York Region's lowest income recipients from any anti-homelessness programs completely.. Join us!

  Another topic I blogged and created video-blogs as far back as November about was the need to make the York Regional Chairperson a voted position and lo and behold it's now finally on the table for review!? This position carries far too much responsibility and power for it to not have someone held accountable as in times such as the recent transit strike wherein our Chairman, Bill Fisch, could essentially sell out low income York Regioners by sitting on his hands for 4 months whilst some peoples lives dissolved around them. He dismissed offhandedly my submission to council that they leave their cars at home for the duration of the strike. His laissez-faire attitude toward bringing an end to the dispute was a shining example of why that person needs to be held accountable - either through a performance review or voted out by the public. Other regions have adopted a voted in Regional Chairperson and certainly see no reason why York region shouldn't as well.


  Funny thing, at the same time as Newmarket council raised the issue of perhaps instilling new measures to ensure 'donations' and such for elections are controlled and transparent, so too did they in regards to charities and events the councilors support. They mentioned donations to " Belinda's Place", The Hoedown, Y.R. Habitat for Humanity - which recently paid out a whopping 6 $million dollars in "costs" fyi.

  Speaking of Belinda's Place, nice to read in the Newmarket Era that the to be 'single women's shelter" as well as the other 7 shelters in York Region that accept women (abused - includes immediate access to social housing - 3), family-1, single women to age 27- 1 (plus transitional housing), In / Out from the Cold's(2) are going to have apartments, transitional housing and "programs' to assist them all. This in addition of course I assume to whatever programs are offered out by the Y.R. Womens Centre.

  Y.R.'s men get no apartments or transitional housing and are kicked to the curb at 8am until evening for their "programs', then shipped to Toronto or Barrie to be rid of. I guess the region didn't get the memo that with the opening of the new family shelter the women's shelters use numbers are all down. But hey, we can't spoil a planned party now, especially if its going to deify Belinda for her wondrous foresight aided of course by the etchings of the local newspaper Editor Deb Kelly who is also on the Belinda's Place's (closed group) committee, and helped present it to the Regional Council to acquire funding / support. Funny they haven't printed one letter I've written about the shelter idea and the fact that affordable housing for singles including men is what's needed, not another expensive to run shelter, even though I co-authored York Region's social audit " Behind The Masks" and Chair it's only grassroots organization with a mandate to reduce poverty. I've said it before and I'll say it again this proposed new shelter will have to bring single women (over age 27 since we have youth shelters already for single women up to 26) in from outside York Region to fill it, but Joe and Jill Public will ever be the wiser since all they'll be told through our mainstream local media (via the same Editor) is that everything is wonderful there. The same spin that happens now.

Homeless man visits for the first time since his death, the "home" of former homeless person John Fletcher. John's saying was " It's 60-40 for the good guys". He left behind two children when he died in Newmarket.

  Two homeless men I know of have died homeless in Newmarket in the past few years such as John Fletcher, a former golden gloves boxing champion who lived behind the Metro grocery store at the 404 plaza, and not a word in the local newspapers was written about them, nor any new programs to save our men announced - although funding for some upstart group claiming to be helping young low income girls was announced..I guess Girls Incorporated and Big Sisters or free activities programs offered up by Operation Sparrow which PACC helped create, does not segregate and costs nothing for users wasn't enough? Why not just fund them so they can expand a model already set up and sensitive to those living on the margins.

  I know it's nice to save our women and children first, just like the Titanic, but like the Titanic the model is destined to sink because it overloads one area while neglecting another. At some point they/we must all co-exist. You don't skip over 90% of a problem area to focus most of our resources( grants, gov $, charitable donations, media) to another because it's "sexier".

  90% of our truly homeless are men, 90% of those killed on the streets are men, and 90% killed in wars for this country are / were men...It's ugly yea, but surely the ones in need who didn't ask for a life of street violence, crime, and hunger deserve some consideration, respect and hope...just saying...

Tom out

YRNG reports about York Region Council needing an elected Chairperson months after PACC urged action.

    It seems the York Region Media Group is finally getting with the program. Several months after we first began blogging, creating media, and reporting about a need to replace the York Region Chair not only because of the present chairperson Fisch's incompetence but also because an elected chair seems more democratic than having the same guy anointed every year with no challengers. It's just too cozy an arrangement for a guy making over $200,000 a year! The elected Mayor of Toronto doesn't make that much - and meantime Fisch seemingly doesn't think transit drivers should make even $50,000 a year - which is only 1/2 of the average household income in York Region. Pay them a fair wage, give them reasonable working conditions - like breaks - and let's get on with this thing! You can flop around all you want Fisch but your filet is cooked my friend, so I suggest you take the high road and bow out gracefully while you still can.  
Better yet take transit.

  Speaking of cozy arrangements, am I the only one who finds it astoundingly outrageous that an organization purportedly selling products donated free, that most people think are used to build homes for people in need, instead spends over a million dollars in 2011 for "administration costs". Huh? Let me get this straight..they built exactly 0 homes in Newmarket, Aurora or Georgina in 2011 and incurred over $1,000,000 in expenditure costs? On What!? And now "need" to hire professional fundraisers too?

   This U.S. based model corporate connected "charity's" usefulness has gone the way of the dinosaur I'm afraid as it doesn't fit our Canadian ideals or system and it stigmatizes those chosen - as they are expected to be the face in the media mouthing wonderful things about these wonderful people before and as they move in as part of the deal instead of with privacy and dignity - while at school the kids become the "habitat kids" and other labels which can lead to low self esteem and mental health issues.. Because they are vulnerable, the chosen families of course will go along with it all and who could blame them?

  They also build so few homes and include numerous qualifying conditions that should not allow them to market themselves in their numerous commercials as providers of "affordable housing". It's a wonderful sounding buzz phrase, but a misleading one, as it is one usually reserved for real builders of "affordable housing" - in the dozens or hundreds at once - not one or two units per year as they typically might build - and then uses the very people they claim to want to help for publicity campaigns.
Well you can't have it both ways I'm afraid. Sure it helps a few people a year locally, but at what cost?

  Habitat for Humanity York Region's future plans apparently include developing isolated ghetto-like properties by the sounds of it - a number of units per property - "because it makes fiscal sense" according to Habitat's E.D. Nancy Van Kessel - which goes against all the studies about building isolated low income housing projects.  This is exactly what is wrong with charitable solutions often. Since when does fiscal sense trump accepted social housing policy? And since when does York Region in general care about actual fiscal sense anyway? I mean where was "fiscal sense" when York Region Council ordered destroyed a perfectly good shelter a few years back whilst almost simultaneously announcing plans to build a "much needed" single women's shelter?

So Why is H.F.H. seemingly exempt from procedure or scrutiny? Because they are a wonderful charity with great commercials that say they are great so they must be? Or perhaps because they are, as their head office corporate website says, a great brand partner worth 3.1 billion dollars, as much as Starbucks as they write? Corporate charity is not the solution for affordable housing woes in York Region - building units in the dozens or hundreds of units with government funds are what is needed or an alternative like PACC presented which was a private venture offering mixed income owned condos along with some affordable units that the company would qualify tenants to own who normally wouldn't - not some band-aid U.S. modeled feelgoodgroup confusing reality by sounding like they are "providing affordable housing" in York Region, when in actuality most who need affordable housing would not even qualify for a habitat house based on their eligibility requirements. They do a lot of advertising but little actual building anyway from my perspective, and even then it's with conditions for those lucky enough to have enough of the right disabilities, or fit the correct "culture" or 'mold" that they are looking for each time, as often seems to be the case. Smile for the camera!

Tom Taylor, former Newmarket Mayor, and Father of Regional Councilor John, Chairs or sits on the Boards of a number of Y.R. service providing charities including YR Habitat for Humanity, Neighbourhood Network and Inn From the Cold.

  It all reminds me of these "Champions" some groups trot out each year from various sources who praise the organizations and charities they've accessed up and down meantime behind the scenes they're often getting extras like jobs, food, fees, and free goodies that bribe them enough to be the media 'face". In one case the face of the family shelter one year got up and said how she'd been homeless with her kids in Toronto and ended up in our Y.R. shelters, then Y.R.'s assisted housing, and that she loved her new life and job and now volunteered in the community she loved. Awww it was a wonderful speech. Teared me up. She left out the part about having a husband when this all went down who had lived with her right up until that very day ( now years on from her dilemma) as best I knew, as she'd introduced me to him when she moved in and I'd seem him often around - but who wasn't anywhere to be seen or mentioned on this day - coming across like a distraught single mom who'd gone through terrible ordeal all alone. Oh and volunteering? She'd looked me in the eyes previously at her own community hall and said "Fuck em" when dropping out the week we were to put on a puppet show for the kids in her neighbourhood - because there weren't enough other volunteers she'd said. I appealed to her that some just couldn't make it that night, but she wasn't interested. To say I was stunned would have been an understatement. We never saw her back to help again as I suppose she was busy with her new "career". The 'career" she referred to her in her speech was given to her by housing not long after she was moved in - while many others should have been considered before her - as it was a (part-time) tenants position and many qualified residents had lived there a number of years before her arrival. Not bad for someone who went homeless in Toronto! I sat quietly throughout her speech, although I may have shaken my head a few times in disbelief but I wasn't going to spoil their party and besides the food was great ...and the tour wonderful and programs sounded just wonderful too! Ha!

   Still, it's a sad state of affairs that vulnerable people are used to legitimize groups that upon further examination - including the recent social audit done on York Region - that many of these groups are failing and in some cases rewarded time and again for programs or services that are poorly run or useless or not user friendly. And it is them who seem always left out - the majority - the ones not the chosen "champions" - that we need to look out for because our society and especially York Region seems to prefer  pretty stories instead of reality, and consequently keeps rewarding the same offenders with funds. I wonder if somewhere in here a conspiracy exists ....and the various boards with seemingly many of the same people involved is a good place to start.

Kristine Carbis on the scooter along with a number of people involved with Y.R.'s 1st ever social audit Behind The Masks  hiding her face with the report in this photo as she seeks no recognition for her immeasurable efforts

  You want a "Champion"- look no further than P.A.C.C.'s own Kristine Carbis who not only represents her community by sitting on a unique tenant reference group providing input to the Region to best manage housing tenant issues but has also tirelessly (and quietly) volunteered in her community (association) for years and is the one distributing food and goods to those in need, organizing her community events and Christmas Parties, connecting people to resources and schools, assisting with numerous projects to help end the affects of poverty in her community such as sitting for several years on the board for a P.A.C.C. assisted group we helped start - Operation Sparrow - which provides low income kids access to recreation and transportation at no cost, as well as assist the Put the Food in The Budget Campaign, Do the Math campaign, the P.A.C.C. hosted I.S.A.R.C.(York Region) Social Audit, Oct 17 Int Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and the annual Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Roadhockey Challenge she also helps organize both with P.A.C.C. and within her community to make sure a team is formed and everyone can get there. Currently she is quietly presenting to the Y.R. District School Board people to help them better understand dignified approaches to dealing with those who come from lower income homes' and why seemingly simple assignments might be an issue for others - such as access to libraries, computers, printers, embarrassment and such. And she's done so the last few years with use of a cane, then scooter, due to her deteriorating physical condition. Her biggest regret? Not getting chosen to be on the York Region Disabilities Committee - another controlled YR entity. She wasn't given a reason why not. Probably because she'd speak her mind for the rights of everyone and not quietly vote yes to everything without question.
  Now there's a real champion.

Don't forget to vote for PACC's finalist video One Paycheck Away before Jan 20!

Tom Pearson Out!!

  Good morning Vietnaaaaam! This famous line was uttered of course from Robin Williams' character in the movie of the same name which was based on a real person's story, took place in war times, and was recognised by the soldiers and personnel as the signal that they were about to be put at ease through the power of laughter - via a radio show. This comedy formatted show acted to keep spirits raised during a time that was extremely distressing and stressful. I think that is what is needed right now, especially for those who have been handcuffed by the York Region Transit Strike - which is now Canada's 2nd longest in history. To that end, TP produced a short spoof called Depressing Country Hits a mock commercial for a record album that uses the recurring theme of the transit strike in it. It's design is to make you laugh.

P.A.C.C. and the C.B.C. reported on poverty and transit issues

  To date it seems nothing P.A.C.C. or anyone has done or said has had any influence on ending this strike. We've done our usual mix of addressing (and embarrassing) politicians, councils, approaching other groups and bus drivers / union reps as well as our own online media campaign to create awareness and attempted to solicit more attention from the mainstream news media - which we think is covering it far too little - therefore keeping minimal pressure on to resolve it.

  In addition my letters to the Editor of the local (York Region Media Group) papers including the Era Banner go unpublished - even though they quote or use me/us when it suits which works both ways but we are the established voice for those on low or no incomes in York Region and recent host group for the most in-depth look at the state of York Region's social services, programs and safety net systems in the area's history via a social audit. The resulting report was adopted for recommendations by the Regional Council as well, and this 6 months to produce audit was a significant achievement admired and widely respected across Ontario, but has gone relatively unnoticed and unused here.

  As no one seems to be stepping forward to help end this strike which has now expanded to become a crisis maker for many, we feel P.A.C.C.'s experience and ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds and positions gives us a unique ability to get parties communicating, and feel we could negotiate a fair end to this for all parties involved.Uniquely as well, PACC supports the drivers' rights to a living wage and reasonable working conditions but also the rights for those riders who've had no choice and whose extreme users are most affected.
 
  P.A.C.C.'s Letters to the Editor never get published!
I thought I'd print one of my recent letters to the Editor that they never publish, and if they do they change, as it's purpose was / is to bring more attention to the seriousness of this transit strike to more people.

Don't forget to vote once a day for our video contest 1 min adspot finalist One Paycheck Away here!

OW Rate and Benefit Increases


The government’s announcement in the 2006 Provincial Budget resulted in the following increases to Ontario Works social assistance rates and selected benefits:

July 2006

Canada Child Tax Benefit will increase from $102.33 to $104.58 a month and NCBS will increase to $40.17 for the 1st child, $38.82 for the second child, and $38.41 for the third and each additional child. These increases will not be deducted from client’s social assistance payments.

August 2006

There will be a two (2%) per cent increase to the Back to School Allowance.

November 2006

There will be a two (2%) per cent increase to the Winter Clothing Allowance for eligible OW clients with dependent children.

December 2006

There will be a two (2%) per cent increase to the basic need and maximum shelter allowance, and an increase in the monthly Guide Dog Benefit.

A cheque insert will go out to all clients in their August 1st payments outlining these upcoming increases to their social assistance and benefits.

New rate with 2% increase

Single
$536
$547

Couple
$929
$948

Single Parent + 1 child
$987
$1007

Single Parent + 2 children
$1161
$1184

Couple + 1 child
$1062
$1083

Single Disabled
$959
$978

Single Disabled Parent + 1 child
$1468
$1497

Single Disabled Parent + 2 children
$1690
$1724

Disabled + Spouse
$1460
$1489

Disabled + Spouse + 1 child
$1631
$1664

Would you consider becoming involved in my letter-writing campaign? If you agree with one or both of these letters sign them, mail or e-mail copies to as many of the following people as possible and get everyone you know to do the same.

Please include your e-mail address and zip code/postal code.

Thanks,

mirwight@gmail.com

President Barack Obama





Congressman Donald M. Payne




Prime Minister Stephen Harper






M.P. Michael Ignatieff






Letter 1

50 000 people, including 30 000 children, die unnecessarily every day due to extreme poverty.

This is an emergency. We must stop this epidemic of suffering and death immediately. The world’s economy can adapt to the end of extreme poverty, just as it did to the abolition of slavery.

The United States and Canada must both meet their commitments to the U.N.

Millennium Development Goals:

1. Debt - We must cancel the debts owed by the governments of impoverished countries.
2. Aid - The U.S. and Canada must each allocate 0.7% of their GNP to Official Development Assistance.
3. Trade - We must create a more just world trade system to help double the size of Africa’s economy and trade by 2015.
4. Make Poverty History has also called for an end to child poverty in Canada

I'm not alone. I'm one of millions who have demanded an end to extreme poverty.

Over 31 million people, including over 250 000 Canadians, and more than 800 organizations are members of Make Poverty History.

Over 2 million people are members of the One Campaign, and in the United States more than 27 000 students at more than 2400 colleges and universities competed in the 2008-09 One Campus Challenge.

In 2008, 116 993 629 people participated in the Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty Initiative's annual events.

Over 30 million people gave their names to the Live 8 List which was presented to Prime Minister Tony Blair.



Letter 2

The United States government and Canadian government should legally require U.S. and Canadian-owned corporations to pay a minimum wage to their employees who are citizens and residents of other countries and live outside the United States and Canada.

This would reduce the exploitation of the developing world by these corporations and would be a significant step towards the level of regulation needed to end extreme poverty.

If the United States and Canada accomplish this we will live up to our roles as leaders in the international community and give both U.S. and Canadian citizens a reason to be proud of their country.

Hi Tom,Thought you might be interested in the attached.

http://www.landlordconnect.ca/RENTnews/show_full.cfm?id=723

Jane Wedlock
Coordinator
York Region Alliance to End Homelessness

Registered Disability Savings Plan - Draft Legislation

In October 2007 the federal government released draft legislation for the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) According to the draft legislation the lifetime maximum limit of an RDSP is $200,000 with no annual limit. The plan is expected to become available in April 2008. Under the plan individuals who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit, their parents or legal guardians, will be able to establish an RDSP and will be eligible to receive Disability Savings Grants, and for low income families a Disability Savings bond.

However people need to be aware of the definition of family income. If a disabled person is under age 18, the family income is defined as the parent’s income. As soon as the person reaches age 18, then the disabled person's own family income is used. If that person and their family earn less than $74,000 a year they are eligible for the maximum federal matching grants, 300% on the first $500 of annual contributions and 200% on the next $1,000 of annual contributions. For an annual contribution of $1,500 an additional $3,500 is granted for a total $5,000 contribution. This matching grant is available for 20 years or age 49, of the person with the disability, whichever comes first, for a lifetime limit of $70,000. For low income families making less than $21,000 the government will also offer a savings bond of $1,000 a year for 20 years, or age 49 for the person with the disability whichever come first.

Families with a net family income of less than $20,863, will be eligible for a Canada Disability Savings bond. The federal government will contribute $1,000 a year into a Registered Disability Savings Plan with no contributions from the individual or their family for a lifetime limit of $20,000. The Savings bond is available for 20 years or age 49 of the person with the disability. The RDSP must be converted into an annuity at age 59. The annuity income is calculated on stats Canada’s life expectancy table, plus 3; divided into the total value of the fund. There must be sufficient funds remaining in the plan to refund the total grants and/or bonds contributed to the plan by the federal government on death or maturity.

The major issue still to be determined is whether or not the RDSP assets and withdrawals will impact the Ontario Disability Support Program. The growth and the earnings are tax-deferred and the tax and the grants or bonds are income when the money is paid out to the beneficiary. Anyone can contribute to the plan, and if a plan is opened by a parent the whole community can contribute to the same plan. To view the legislative proposals go to the ministry of finance web site or click on their link.http://www.fin.gc.ca/news07/07-074e.html

LifeTRUST Planning
Committed to improving the lives of people with a disability since 1989
60 Harrison Drive Newmarket On L3Y 4P4
Toll free 1 800 638-7256 fax (905) 836-5458
Email lifetrust@rogers.com
http://www.life-trust.com/

Current system can't ensure help goes to most deserving
By Patrick Dare, The Ottawa CitizenNovember 26, 2009

The City of Ottawa should give subsidies for child-care space to families rather than child-care agencies, according to an audit released Wednesday.

Auditor general Alain Lalonde's review of children's services found families most in need are not necessarily getting the help they need. Ottawa is the only city in Ontario that gives the fee subsidies to agencies rather than families, Lalonde says.

The auditor said that a system where needy parents are assigned the funding for child care should be easier to control than a system where the agencies get the funds directly. Also, funding families gives them more freedom to choose which centre to use, he said.

Lalonde said that, under the current system, the most needy families don't necessarily get the subsidies.

There are 19,300 licensed child-care spaces in Ottawa and there are 11,800 children on wait lists. Lalonde's audit says that number doesn't give an accurate picture of the need in the community partly because it is not routinely updated and includes children who are not yet born.

The audit makes 28 recommendations and city management has agreed to all of them.

Aaron Burry, general manager of parks, recreation and cultural services at the city, said the city administration didn't create the system of funding child-care agencies but that city council will choose whether to follow the funding model recommended by Lalonde.

One of the complicating issues is the announcement recently of full-day school for four- and five-year-olds.

The city's funding for child care has risen gradually over the last several years. In 2006, it was $84 million and, last year, it had reached $90 million. This year, the spending is expected to be $93 million and the proposed budget for next year is $95 million.

- 11,800: The number of children now on waiting lists for licensed child-care spaces in Ottawa

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Sara Landriault
stay at home mom
President, National Family Childcare Association
http://www.careofthechild.com/
http://www.incomesplitting.org/
landriault@ripnet.com
613-258-4854