Canadian Social Research Newsletter
November 16,  2008

Welcome to the weekly Canadian Social Research Newsletter,
a listing of the new links added to the Canadian Social Research Links website in the past week.

The e-mail version of this week's issue of the newsletter is going out to 1923 subscribers.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Canadian content

1. Bringing the Pieces Together: New Brunswick's poverty reduction plan - October 17
2. Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate unchanged for 2009 , lowest level in 15 years (Department of Finance Canada) - November 14
3. Newfoundland and Labrador : Consultations Helping to Advance the Poverty Reduction Strategy (NL Human Resources, Labour and Employment) - November 13
4. Public housing investments - generating jobs and other social / economic benefits (The Wellesley Institute) - November 11
5. Ontario : Countdown to a Poverty Reduction Strategy three weeks until the December deadline (Poverty Watch Ontario) - November 11
6. Ontarians Waiting For Leadership On Poverty Reduction (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) - November 2008
7. What's New in The Daily (Statistics Canada)
8. What's new from the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (Toronto) - November 12

International  content

9. Poverty Dispatch: U.S. media coverage of social issues and programs (Institute for Research on Poverty - University of Wisconsin-Madison)
10. Australian Policy Online Weekly Briefing - selected recent content
11. CRINMAIL (November 2008) - (Child Rights Information Network - CRIN)

Have a great week!

Bringing the Pieces Together:
New Brunswick's poverty reduction plan
October 17, 2008
The provincial government is inviting New Brunswickers to become involved in the development of a poverty reduction plan. (...) The province is launching a public engagement initiative called Bringing The Pieces Together, which will give New Brunswickers the opportunity to become involved in reducing and preventing poverty.
[ News Release : New Brunswickers invited to help reduce poverty - October 17, 2008. ]

- includes links to:
1. Getting Started - Questionnaire - Fall 2008 to Fall 2009
2. Your Views on Poverty - Fall 2008 to March 31, 2009
3. Dialogue Sessions - Winter 2009
4. Round Table Sessions - Fall 2009
5. Final Forum - Fall 2009
* much more...

Booklet - A Poverty Reduction Plan (PDF - 267K, 8 pages)
October 2008
Background

Fact Check - Poverty in New Brunswick
October 2008
* People * Income * Costs * Employment / Pensions * Community Services

A snapshot of New Brunswick
October 2008
* People * Work * Education * Housing * Health * Community Services

---

Common Front for Social Justice (CFSJ) Press Conference (PDF - 113K, 3 pages)
October 30, 2008
"The Common Front for Social Justice [is] interested in the initiative presented by the Minister of Social Development in her endeavour to launch a Poverty Reduction Plan and for her decision to have public participation, including people living in poverty. However, let us be clear, the process to develop this plan will take over one year and there is nothing right now to address immediate problems. (...) We urge the present government to adopt immediate measures to alleviate the sufferings of people and to allow them to have a minimum amount of comfort throughout the winter months. In our view, the government must adopt measures, as soon as possible, in four specific areas:
- heating costs,
- current legislation regarding minimum wage,
- basic welfare rates, and
- housing assistance."
Source:
Press releases (links to 30 releases going back to 2003)
[ Common Front for Social Justice ]
The Common Front for Social Justice is fighting to build a more human society based on the respect and dignity of all. We want a New Brunswick without poverty. We want a society which give each and everyone a decent living, in particular by having a minimum wage and social income on which citizens can to live on and not just exist.
[ more CFSJ Documents ]

- Go to the Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm
- Go to the New Brunswick Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nbkmrk.htm

November 14, 2008
Government of Canada Holds Employment Insurance Premium Rate at Lowest Level in 15 Years
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today welcomed the Canada Employment Insurance Commission’s decision to hold the Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate for 2009 unchanged at $1.73, its lowest level in 15 years.
Source:
Department of Finance Canada

- Go to the Federal Government Department Links (Agriculture to Finance) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/fedbkmrk.htm

Newfoundland and Labrador

Consultations Helping to Advance the Poverty Reduction Strategy
November 13, 2008
Over the past month, the Provincial Government hosted consultations on the poverty reduction strategy across the province. There were 32 public and community roundtable stakeholder sessions held. Local residents and community group leaders attended the sessions and provided a significant contribution of their time and thoughtful insight in support of the further advancement of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. This marks the end of this phase of the consultations. However, consultation submissions are being accepted up to December 15, 2008. All residents are encouraged to share their views by calling 1-866-883-6600 or going to www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/poverty/index.html
Source:
Human Resources, Labour and Employment

- Go to the Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm
- Go to the Newfoundland and Labrador Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nfbkmrk.htm

Public housing investments - generating jobs and other social / economic benefits
November 11, 2008
By Michael Shapcott
Canada's first ministers have had a preliminary meeting and they've agreed to work towards a massive investment in infrastructure to help respond to the current global economic crisis and also to improve bridges, transit and other necessary public works. (...) Here are five good reasons for Canada's first ministers to ramp up public investments in affordable housing as part of an overall economic stimulus package...
Source:
Wellesley Institute Blog
[ The Wellesley Institute ]
The Wellesley Institute advances the social determinants of health through community-based research , community engagement , and the informing of public policy.

- Go to the Homelessness and Housing Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/homeless.htm

Countdown to a Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) 3 weeks until the December deadline
Three weeks until the December deadline, three imperatives on why we must act
November 11, 2008
1. Quote of the week: everyone has a role to play, but government must lead on poverty reduction, says Niagara Bishop
2. Why we must act now: the social, political and economic imperatives for poverty reduction
3. three ways to make a difference between now and the December deadline
Source:
Poverty Watch Ontario
To monitor and inform on cross-Ontario activity on the poverty reduction agenda

- Go to the Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm

Ontarians Waiting For
Leadership On Poverty Reduction (PDF - 307K, 13 pages)
November 2008
By Trish Hennessy
"(...) Between September 24 and October 21, 2008 Environics Research conducted a national poll of 2,023 Canadians for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. This report represents the responses provided by Ontarians, and it tells a story of economic worry and of resolve: Ontarians say now is the time for governments to make us proud and take clear steps to reduce poverty in our provinces."
Source:
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

- Go to the Anti-poverty Strategies and Campaigns page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/antipoverty.htm
- Go to the Ontario Municipal and Non-Governmental Sites (A-C) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/onbkmrk2.htm

What's New in The Daily [Statistics Canada]:

The Daily Archives - select a month from the drop-down menu to view releases for that month in chronological order

- Go to the Federal Government Department Links (Fisheries and Oceans to Veterans Affairs) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/fedbkmrk2.htm

From the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU):

November 12, 2008

Employer models in Canada’s early childhood education and care sector
12 Nov 08
- Report from the Child Care Human Resource Sector Council’s Supporting Employers Project contains a series of 14 descriptive articles designed to "bring ECEC governance models to life".

Supporting Employers in Early Childhood Education and Care Project: Preliminary findings
12 Nov 08 - Report from the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council contains summary data and highlights from their Supporting Employers project.

A transformational vision for early learning and child care
12 Nov 08
- Submission by the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care to Ontario’s Early Learning Advisor Charles Pascal provides a vision of full day early learning for the province.

Raising the bar: What next for the early childhood education and care workforce?
12 Nov 08
- The first briefing paper in a new series by Daycare Trust looking at a range of policy issues related to ECEC in Britain.

more WHAT'S NEW ONLINE »

child care in the news

· The business of caring [AU]
12 Nov 08

· Pressure builds for summit on child care [AU]
11 Nov 08

· Government should learn its ABCs [AU]
11 Nov 08

· PQ promises $400M for daycare [CA-QC]
10 Nov 08

· Government steps in to help ABC: Rudd's $22m bailout [AU]
8 Nov 08

· Women tolled warning bells but no one wanted to listen [AU]
8 Nov 08

· Parents pull kids from daycare [US]
7 Nov 08

· Ministry drops Social from name [CA]
6 Nov 08

· Quebec families with children have lighter tax burden [CA] 6 Nov 08

more CC IN THE NEWS »

Related Links:

Subscribe to the CRRU email announcements list
Sign up to receive email notices of updates and new postings on the CRRU website which will inform you of policy developments in early childhood care and education, new research and resources for policy, newly released CRRU publications, and upcoming events of interest to the child care and broader community.

Links to child care sites in Canada and elsewhere

CRRU Publications - briefing notes, factsheets, occasional papers and other publications
ISSUE files - theme pages, each filled with contextual information and links to further info

Source:
Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU)

- Go to the Non-Governmental Early Learning and Child Care Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ecd2.htm

Poverty Dispatch (U.S). ===> the content of this link changes twice a week
IRP compiles and distributes Poverty Dispatches twice a week. Each issue of the dispatch provides links to U.S. web-based news items dealing with topics such as poverty, welfare reform, child welfare, education, health, hunger, Medicare and Medicaid, etc.
Each Dispatch lists links to current news in popular print media.
Selected links appear below.

November 13, 2008
* Rates of Homelessness and Programs for the Homeless:
--- In Boston, house calls for the homeless. (BOSTON, MA) - By Katie Zezima, New York Times. November 10, 2008
--- Nation's homeless czar says helping the homeless also helps taxpayers - By Kate Santich, Orlando Sentinel. November 13, 2008
--- Family homelessness rising in the United States - By Ross Colvin, Reuters.com. November 12, 2008
--- Dane County homeless families recorded longer stays at the Salvation Army shelter in 2007. (WISCONSIN) - By Karen Rivedal, Wisconsin State Journal. November 13, 2008
--- New solutions sought as homeless ranks grow. (DETROIT, MI) - By Gregg Krupa, Detroit News. November 13, 2008
[ Related link: Overview of HUD Homeless and Housing Programs - from the Homelessness Resource Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development )
* Food Assistance, Nutrition, and Health
* Self-Sufficiency and Work Supports - Georgia, Massachusetts
* State Funds for Unemployment Insurance
* States and Budget Cuts
* Health Insurance Programs
* Universal Health Care Proposal
* Payday Lending - Ohio
* Public Defenders and Caseloads - Nevada
* Charter Schools and the Achievement Gap - California
* Green Spaces and Health Gap Between Rich and Poor
* Opinions: Poverty Measurement - US, Canada:
--- Canada : We’ve done a poor job of defining real poverty - By David Crane, Nova Scotia News. November 12, 2008
--- U.S. : Who is poor? Guidelines don’t really tell us - By Greg Schoener, The Republican Eagle (Red Wing Minnesota). November 12, 2008
* Bolsa Familia Antipoverty Program - Brazil
* The Global Economy and Developing Nations

November 10, 2008
* Homelessness and Housing - Minnesota, Florida, Maryland, Iowa
* Female Veterans and Homelessness
* State Budget Cuts and Medicaid - Pennsylvania, New York
* Medicaid Rule and Outpatient Services
* Food Stamp Program - Vermont, Texas
* Free and Reduced-price Lunch Program
* Teenage Pregnancy - Florida
* U.S. Unemployment Rate
* Young Low-income Workers - Philadelphia, PA
* Social Work and Financial Training
* Mentoring Program for Children of Incarcerated Parents - Missouri
* School Choice Voucher Program - Milwaukee, WI
* Paid Sick Leave - Milwaukee, WI
* Public Defenders, Caseloads, and Income

Past Poverty Dispatches
- links to two dispatches a week back to June 2006

Search Poverty Dispatches

If you wish to receive Poverty Dispatches by e-mail,
please send a request to rsnell@ssc.wisc.edu

Source:
Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP)
[ University of Wisconsin-Madison ]

- Go to the Links to American Government Social Research page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us.htm
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (A-J) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us2.htm
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (M-Z) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us3.htm

APO Weekly Briefing
The content of this page changes each week, and it includes links to a few book/report reviews, about two dozen new reports, a few job ads and 60 events (mostly conferences) of interest to social researchers...
Source:
Australian Policy Online (APO) - home page
With nearly 120 member centres and institutes, Australian Policy Online offers easy access to much of the best Australian social, economic, cultural and political research available online.
NOTE: the APO home page includes links to the five most popular reports on the APO website, and this list is updated each week.

APO Archive
The APO archive is grouped into 23 subject areas, with entries appearing in reverse chronological order.
* Ageing *Asia and the pacific * Citizenship and the law * Disability * Economics and trade * Education * Employment and workplace relations * The environment * Foreign policy and defence * Gender and sexuality * Health * Housing * Families and households * Immigration and refugees * Income, poverty and wealth * Indigenous * Media, communications and cultural policy * Politics and government * Population, multiculturalism and ethnicity * Religion and faith * Rural and regional * Science and technology * Social policy * Urban and regional planning * Youth

- Go to the Social Research Links in Other Countries (Non-Government) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/internatngo.htm

From the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN):

13 November 2008 - CRINMAIL 1033
* AFGHANISTAN: Girls attacked with acid for going to school [news]
* DRC: Recruitment of child soldiers rising [news]
* ITALY: Children and the Law: International approaches to children and their vulnerabilities [event]
* NEW ZEALAND: Human Rights Commission to look at bullying policies [news]
* PAKISTAN: Charter of child rights demands [news]
* CHINA: Quake orphans still seeking homes [news]
**NEWS IN BRIEF**

11 November 2008 - CRINMAIL 1032
* NORWAY: Plan to ban corporal punishment once and for all [news]
* SOMALIA: Girl of 13 stoned for being raped [news]
* PAKISTAN: The Juvenile Justice System Ordinance [publication]
* ARGENTINA: Adolescents in no man’s land [news]
* NAMIBIA: Children status act comes into effect [news]
* 50th Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child [event]
**NEWS IN BRIEF**

Earlier issues of CRINMAIL
- links to 300+ earlier weekly issues, many of which are special editions focusing on special themes, such as the 45th Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Source:
CRINMAIL(incl. subscription info)
[ Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) ]

- Go to the Children's Rights Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/chnrights.htm

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Both Canadian Social Research Links (the site) and this Canadian Social Research Newsletter belong solely to me, Gilles Séguin.

I am solely accountable for the choice of links presented therein and for the occasional editorial comment - it's my time, my home computer, my experience, my biases, my Rogers Internet account and my web hosting service.

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There are some that I don't agree with, so don't get on my case, eh...

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Cheers!
Gilles

E-MAIL:
gilseg@rogers.com

Things You Probably Don't Know about Barack Obama

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And, in closing...