Fellow Initiatives

News article: Social policy analyst Ken Battle sowed seeds for the Canada Child Benefit

News article: New report slams Ottawa for not tracking effectiveness of seniors’
benefits (external link) 

News article: Unclaimed Benefits: Too many missing out on Old Age Security in Toronto (external link) 

 (PDF file) Decoupled: (external link)  John Stapleton wrote a new publication not on seniors but on the Housing crisis and welfare design:

News article: Thousands of Toronto residents are eligible for old age security but not getting it. Here’s why (external link) 

News article: More than 10,000 Toronto seniors missing out on old age benefits: report (external link) 

News article: More older adults are living in poverty than Canada’s official numbers suggest, new research warns (external link) 

2024 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey Launch: (external link)  John Stapleton was a panelist for the launch of "Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada" - providing critical insight into the evolving realities of ageing in Canada.

News article: Ford’s shameful welfare track record continues legacy of Tory neglect (external link) 

Transitioning from ODSP to OAS: What You Need To Know (external link) : Understanding government benefits can be confusing. Learn about the transition from Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) to Old Age Security (OAS). This program covered: when to apply for OAS, how benefits may change and what other benefits may be available. Get informed and plan ahead!

Why income support is good housing policy (external link)  acknowledgement - The authors would like to thank John Stapleton for providing their thoughtful comments and feedback on an earlier draft of this report.

Planning for Retirement on a Low Income (external link) : Social policy expert John Stapleton shares how to plan for your financial future.

Pathways to Inclusion (external link)  Conference hosted by the Newcomer Services Center

Conference Board of Canada Immigration Summit: The Unclaimed Benefits report further shows that certain groups, including racialized individuals and those with limited proficiency in English or French, are the most likely to be missing out.

Sharing a keynote speech to members of the National Immigration Center Meeting, Ratna Omidvar spoke about the shifts and changes in immigration policy.

CERC Conference: Ratna Omidvar spoke on a panel on citizenship and the political changes at play.

Launch of the Resilient Societies Network: (external link)  Ratna Omidvar spoke as keynote speaker on the Launch of the Resilient Societies Network. This network will enhance the capacity of human rights defenders who are in exile in Canada.

Interview - CBC The Current: (external link) Ratna Omidvar was interviewed by CBC The Current on the implications of the pause in private sponsorship applications.

Globe and Mail article (external link) : Nearly a decade after the Syrian refugee crisis began, Canada remains transformed by its response

 (google form) TMCIS Lunch & Learn event: “From Displacement to Integration: Rethinking Refugee Participation in the Labour Market": (external link)  Ratna Omidvar moderated a panel on refugee employment.

Drawing on current initiatives, policy insights, global partnerships, and first-hand experiences, our panelists will explore forward-thinking approaches to connect skilled refugees with in-demand opportunities ultimately, rethinking what it means to empower refugees.

Policy Talks: The Future of International Education: Ratna Omidvar joined a panel discussion at Toronto’s Gardiner Museum with Mehnaz Lamia, and Steve Orsini. They discussed what is needed for a sustainable future for international education in Canada, followed by an in-person networking reception with food and beverage service.

Activists Make History (external link)  with Peggy Nash is a podcast series from Perspectives Journal that finds the political underdogs and asks how they got started, against the odds, to fight for progressive change. Policymakers, activists and experts are front and centre in conversation with Peggy Nash, who has been a union activist, a feminist advocate, and a Member of Parliament in Canada’s House of Commons for nearly a decade.

Women Winning Office (external link)  is a practical handbook for activist women on how to open doors and take their place in the political process. Second book to be published 2025.

Equal Voice GTA Campaign School (external link) : Peggy Nash spoke at the Equal Voice GTA Campaign School. At the event, attendees spoke with politicians about their experiences running a campaign, and learned about some strategies they deployed along the way. 

What's Next? (external link)  Michael Goffin's article in the Water Canada Magazine focuses on the next steps for the Canada Water Agency covering topics of tackling climate change, reconciliation, and collaborative water governance.