Tag Archives: 2016

Joint Statement: Let’s Break the Cycle

The Ontario government has embarked on yet another consultation cycle on income security reform, which is delaying real action to reduce poverty.

Social assistance rates in Ontario continue to be inadequate, causing food and housing insecurity, and ultimately leading to poor health.

Research is clear that lower income and food and housing insecurity are associated with earlier mortality.

HPAP has joined several groups in calling for immediate increases to social assistance in Ontario. Please consider signing on.

This statement was also published today in The Toronto Star!

Upcoming Events: Decent Work

The Decent Work and Health Network emerged out of a coalition between HPAP and the Fight for $15 and Fairness. In the past year, members have worked tirelessly to influence Ontario’s Changing Workplaces Review by calling for paid sick days, the elimination of sick notes, and decent work for all.

Our experiences in health care and a growing body of research have demonstrated that precarious work is detrimental to health. To be healthy, people in Ontario need safe working conditions, decent hours, paid sick days, and a living wage.

Please join us for the following events!

Rally For Decent Work
Oct 1, 2016 at 1 PM – Queen’s Park 
RSVP here

Precarious Work and Health Panel
Oct 5, 2016 at 12:20 PM – 209 Victoria St, Room 136
RSVP by emailing Centrelist@smh.ca
Speakers: Deena Ladd, Dan Zuberi, Axelle Janczur
Moderator: Dr. Andrew Pinto

Op-Ed: Poverty Impacts Health in Rural Ontario

The erosion of social assistance rates, rise in precarious employment, increasing costs of living, colonization, and systemic racism all contribute to poverty in Ontario. This has a significant and detrimental impact on health, particularly in parts of the province where there is inequitable access to health care.

HPAP member and family physician, Katie Dorman, writes about this in her recent editorial in The Toronto Star.

Decent Work and Health Network Event

Join an important upcoming discussion on precarious work and health in Ontario, hosted by the Decent Work and Health Network

Tuesday July 19, 2016 – 4 to 6 pm
St. Michael’s Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute
Room 241, 204 Victoria Street, Toronto
Light refreshments will be served
RSVP here

The Decent Work and Health Network is a collaboration between Health Providers Against Poverty and the Worker’s Action Centre

Ontario’s Changing Workplaces Review is a once in a generation opportunity to change the laws around employment and address the growing precarious work in the province. The aim of this event is to develop a health sector response to the Interim Report of the Changing Workplaces Review, since it is well recognized that precarious work leads to poor health.

OHIP For All Campaign

In Canada we believe we have a universal health care system. And yet, there are an estimated 500,000 people who do not have access to healthcare coverage. They are our neighbours, they work in our communities, and our children go to school together.

Pregnant women have foregone prenatal care, children have been turned away from emergency care, and people have been denied life-saving surgery and cancer treatment. For those that do access care, hospital bills can lead to crippling debt. These are the dangerous and devastating consequences of denying people in our communities OHIP.

Health Providers Against Poverty has endorsed the OHIP For All campaign.
Here’s what you can do:
1) Sign the open letter online
2) Like OHIP For All on Facebook and follow on Twitter (@ohipforall)
3) Join the Rally for OHIP For All on Tues June 28 at 12PM
4) Spread the word

 

OHIP For All Poster.jpg

 

HPAP Members Call For WSIB Reform

On June 10, 2016, HPAP members signed an open letter urging the Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to improve access to necessary health care for injured workers.

More Information:
WSIB Critics Say Spending Cuts Are ‘Devastating’ Injured Workers
The Toronto Star – June 10, 2016

Press Release: Injured Workers Demonstrate in 7 Cities
IAVGO Community Legal Clinic – June 10, 2016