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The Canadian Poverty Institute: Healing Poverty in Canada

In 2014, Calgary's Ambrose University embarked on a bold vision: to develop a national academic institute dedicated to the eradication of poverty in Canada. This was the genesis of the Canadian Poverty Institute (CPI) whose mission is “to contribute to the healing of poverty through teaching, research and public education that informs policy and enhances practice.” 

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Ten Things to Know about Central Agencies in Canada

From time to time, voluntary sector leaders—and advocates in general—come up with ideas for new spending and new social programs. When they do this, they often focus too much on influencing elected officials, and too little on influencing senior public servants. What’s more, it’s important that their proposals be supported by good research, in part because exaggerated claims about the benefits of their proposals may hurt them in the end. With all of this in mind, here are 10 things to know about central agencies in Canada.

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Growing Community Engagement

In the heat of the summer months, especially one as hot as this summer, it is often tempting to hide away in the comfort of our air-conditioned homes. As a result, there is a whole world of community opportunity that remains untouched by many. Though it doesn’t have to be this way. Outside our front doors there is ample opportunity to become engaged with our neighbours and our broader communities.

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Learn more about the NEW Ontario Student Grant program!

In this podcast, the United Way of Toronto and York Region's Pedro Barata discusses with the Honourable Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier and Minister for Advanced Education and Skills Development, how the new Ontario Student Grant is coming together to provide free or reduced cost tuition for low and moderate income families.

Watch the recording here:

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Protecting Children: Moving from a Focus on Immediate Needs to Acknowledging Rights

This blog was originally published on the Maytree website on July 7, 2016 and is reposted here with persmission.

Maytree’s human rights approach to poverty reduction connects with my interest and experience working to improve the lives of children, a journey which began while working as a consultant with UNICEF starting in 1999. I quickly learned that children’s issues are not simply a matter of charity or needs, but a matter of justice and fulfillment of human rights.

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Sharing Successes from Yukon (Whitehorse)

This year the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition celebrates the 20th Anniversary of their poverty reduction work in the Yukon territory and in Whitehorse specifically. They've undergone much development and evolution as a group over the years, dependent on the current need and passion expressed by the community. They actively listen to residents, and have taken on the role as a spawning ground for other organizations and projects to take hold (ex. the downtown urban garden society, and the local Habitat for Humanity chapter).

Here, with Bill Thomas, Co-Chair of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC), we take a look at how their values and priorities are bringing local youth to the coalition's advocacy, awareness, and action priorities to reduce poverty and create stronger leaders.
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