Archive for 'Reports'

Hard Hit: The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Nonprofit Community Social Services in Ontario

Posted on 21. Oct, 2009 by .

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Hard Hit documents the impact of the recession on Ontario’s nonprofit community service sector, lays out the implications for Ontarians, and suggests a path forward to strengthen the capacity of the sector to meet the challenges ahead. During April and May of 2009, the Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) conducted a survey with 413 community service agencies from across Ontario. This survey was conducted as the first in a series in order to track the changing impact of the recession on Ontario’s nonprofit community service sector. The questionnaire focused on changes in service demands and funding situations, and the strategies that agencies are adopting to cope with emerging conditions.

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Supporting Canadians in Tough Times – Federal Budget Submission 2009

Posted on 14. Aug, 2009 by .

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Download the full submission in PDF format or Microsoft Word Doc format.

Executive Summary

Jobs are disappearing; homelessness is on the rise; families are faltering and falling into poverty; children are being robbed of their opportunity succeed – Canadians …

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Toronto’s Social Landscape

Toronto’s Social Landscape

Posted on 04. Aug, 2009 by .

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Toronto’s Social Landscape is a new resource for organizations and community groups that use demographic and socio-economic data in their work – to assist in program planning, needs assessments, funding submissions, advocacy initiatives, public policy development and research projects. This report draws on 10 years of Census data, and additional data sources, to paint a picture of Toronto’s population and the major trends impacting its residents and institutions. Part 1 focuses on the data including 10-year trends and more detailed statistics from the most recent Census. Comparative data for the city of Toronto, Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Ontario are provided. Part 2 provides a discussion of some of the major trends in Toronto. In the appendix, readers are provided with additional income and poverty data, as well as, links to additional data sources for Toronto.

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2009 SPACE Report: Progress and Pitfalls

Posted on 16. Jun, 2009 by .

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A Review of Community Use of Schools and Access to Municipal Spaces

Executive Summary

Prior to the provincial Community Use of Schools Policy and funding (CUS), fees for community use of schools had risen sharply across Ontario, resulting in closures …

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Uninsured: Why EI is Failing Working Ontarians

Uninsured: Why EI is Failing Working Ontarians

Posted on 25. May, 2009 by .

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For nearly 70 years, Canada’s Employment Insurance Program (EI) – formerly known as Unemployment Insurance – has been assisting unemployed workers by providing them with temporary income relief when they’ve lost their jobs. However, starting in the late 1970s, cuts to the program and changes to the eligibility criteria have made it very difficult for many segments of Canada’s labour force to receive regular EI benefits. Additionally, the program has failed to address the changing nature of work in the country- one that has seen substantial growth in part time, temporary, and contract work. Currently, less than half of Canada’s unemployed workers are receiving regular EI benefits. In 2008, approximately 1 in 5 unemployed workers in Toronto were eligible for EI. While unemployed workers were struggling to make ends meet, the accumulated surplus of EI premiums soared to over $54 billion.

Uninsured broadly examines many of the problematic elements of the EI program that have resulted in inadequate EI access across the country, focusing particular attention to Ontario and Toronto. The report provides recommendations to ensure that the EI program is fair, equitable, and strengthened to provide income support for all unemployed workers during this economic recession marked by massive job loss.

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