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@toughtimestabloid • Find us online at ToughTimesTabloid.ca Vol. 8 No. 4/ JULY-AUGUST, 2019 Workers, parents are kicking back

Story and more photos on pages 8 & 9

INSIDE Proving you are you P2 Proudly different P5 Labour pushes back P9 Guns again P3 ODSP muddle P6 UP with minimum wage P13 THIS Need Legal Aid? P4 Cricket big time P7 Bye-bye stress P15 ISSUE In the money P8 “I commend you for your publication. It is superb... probably the best such publication in Canada.” Prof. John Ryan, senior scholar at University of Winnipeg 2 Tough Times – July-August, 2019

PEEL POVERTY You are who you Tough Times is published ACTION GROUP six times a year can prove you are Next issue: September-October, 2019 Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) Deadline for ads and editorial: August 1, 2019 is open to every individual and e grow up learning essential one of these two cards in your purse Phone 905-826-5041 organization in Peel Region that facts about those who matter or wallet every time you leave home. cares about what poverty does Volunteer writers, reporters, artists, to us: our parents and fam- If you are 18 or over and want to people. It provides a safe place W cartoonists, photographers, are where people who are cash-poor ilies, our friends, idols and sports stars. to vote in the federal election Oct. welcome at Tough Times. and those who try to help them Being an adult means we need to 21, you will need proof of identity. Please email letters to: are encouraged to speak out – do the same for ourselves. People who are homeless may lack the [email protected] and Tough Times is part of that Do you carry the minimum identity proof. Bob Delaney will write about Produced by: safe place. PPAG’s mandate is to documents you need to function as an this problem in his next column. Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) advocate for people in need and to adult in today’s world? Editor: Edna Toth educate the public about poverty Let’s look at two A Photo OHIP Card Associate Editors: issues. Membership is free. PPAG documents (or cards) you Adults past the age of 40 Michelle Bilek, Rosemary Keenan meets at 9:30 a.m. to noon, usually should have in your purse who have the old ‘red-and- Chris Fotos the second Thursday of every month or wallet, with you at all white’ Ontario health card, Graphic Designer: Patti Moran (except July and August) alternately times, and why. replace it now! You need an in Mississauga and Brampton. Contributors: up-to-date Ontario Health Huda Abbas, Richard Antonio, Navi Aujla, Kay Bajaj, Samina Bangash, Michelle Bilek, Laura Bilyea, Driver’s License or Card, also known as your Dr. Simon Black, Jaspal Brar, Brampton Mayor Meeting dates for 2019: Photo ID Card OHIP Card. The old ‘red- Patrick Brown, Taodhg Burns, Coun. George Carl- Mississauga, at the Newcomer Centre of son, Shaila Kibria Carter, Surabhi Das, Dr. Paula De Peel, 165 Dundas St. W., (at Confederation Some cash is always nice and’white’ stripe card is Coito, Nikki Clarke, Paricia Chrisjohn, Doris Cooper, Parkway); Sept. 12; Nov 14. inside your wallet or purse. ancient technology. If it is Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Bob Delaney, Brampton, place to be fixed: But other essentials should still accepted, you usually Jack Fleming, Christopher Fotos, Moushumi Oct. 10; Dec. 12 Hakrabarti, Linda Hochstetler, Jack Jackson, Jerry Check PPAG’s website for announcements. be in your purse or wallet Bob Delaney need to produce another Jarosz, Sylvia Jones, MPP; Laura Kaminker, Rose- mary Keenan, Shalini Konanur, Deb Kuipers, Ste- whenever you leave home. piece of government ID to phen Lay, Alexandra MacGregor, Harinder Malhi, If you drive, always have your up- show you are the person the card says Julia Margetiak, Pat McGrail, Archana Medhekar, www.ppag.wordpress.com to-date Ontario driver’s license and a you are. Brenda Murdoch, Varsha Naik, Norma Nicholson, Kimberly Northcote, Karen Ras, Christianne Reyna, certificate of insurance with you. Not If you haven’t got an up-to-date Monica Riutort, Marina Rosas, Ruby Sahota, MP, at home, but with you. In your posses- OHIP Photo Card, get one now. It Lea Salameh, Farina Salahuddin, Liisa Schofield, Chris Sensicle, Subash Sharma, Sara Singh, MPP; sion, or in your vehicle, you must also is the Province’s opportunity to do a Bret Sheppard, Catherine. Soplet, Coun. Ron Starr, have your Ontario vehicle registration ‘due-diligence’ check to ensure you are Susan Stewart, staff members of the Region of Advertising certificate. still alive, you are who you say you are, Peel, Anna Sycz, Chelsea Tao, Pauline Thornham, Rozeeta Torbram-Jarvis, Martin Tsvetanov, Edesiri The Ontario driver’s license is also you live in Ontario, and you are eligible Udoh, Kate Vinokurov, Suraiya Wajih, Jessica Wang, Rates your provincial government-issued for the OHIP card. See www.service- Grazyna Wiercinska, Emily Wiles, Coun. Charmaine Williams, John Wilson, Rod Woolridge, proof of identity. If you don’t drive, ontario.ca for details. You’ll need to Cheryl Yarek. Tough Times distributes 10,000 get an Ontario Photo ID Card. You complete your registration form, which copies, throughout Peel Region. Printed by: Atlantic Web Printers can renew your driver’s license, or you can either download from the web Target audience is people get an Ontario photo ID card at any or get at a ServiceOntario outlet, and experiencing homelessness, using ServiceOntario outlet. You may have have at least three pieces of ID. food banks and soup kitchens, either a license, or a Photo ID Card, An Ontario driver’s license, an people who are struggling, but not both. You can’t appear to be in Ontario Photo ID Card, or a Canadian Homeless: plus faith groups, social service agencies, trades unions, business two places at once. passport should be your govern- people, and the general public. If you don’t have either a driver’s ment-issue photo ID to show that you The Video license or a photo ID card, and want make Ontario your home, and that you To advertise in Tough Times: Spaces and Places: Uncovering to apply for one or the other, you will live in Ontario. You’ll also need your Email: Homelessness in the Region of Peel [email protected] need to pass your driver’s test for the original Canadian birth certificate or (if is a 15-minute video in which Phone: 905 826-5041 license, and for either card, produce an you were born outside Canada) your homeless people describe their experiences. A team from PPAG, Mail address: 4-287 Glidden Road original birth certificate, and original Permanent residency card to show documentation that establishes your OHIP eligibility. Finally, you’ll need a including a once-homeless person, Brampton, ON L6W 1H9, Canada will show the video to a group on Advertising rates: (colour included) legal name, date of birth and signa- document that supports your identity, request. There is no charge. Business card: $105 ture. If you are applying under your such as a credit card, a gas or electricity To book a showing contact 1/16 page: $125 married name, you will need your bill, or a bank statement to support [email protected] 1/8 page: $190 marriage certificate. your identity. Allow about 45 minutes for the 1/4 page: $280 You need a ‘foundation’ piece After your application is accepted, video and discussion. 1/2 page: $460 of identification such as either the your OHIP photo card takes about The video was made by a 3/4 page: $650 Ontario driver’s license, or your two weeks to arrive in the mail. team from York University, in Full page: $810 Ontario Photo ID card to open a bank cooperation with the Social Planning Council of Peel, financed A full page is approximately 10 inches wide account, get a library card, board an Streetsville resident Bob Delaney was Member by a grant from the Ontario by 12 inches deep = 120 square inches. E&OE aircraft, vote, or do a host of other of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga- Trillium Foundation. essential activities. You should carry Streetsville between 2003 and 2018 Tough Times – July-August, 2019 3

– When someone ap- easier for police to tar- Taking aim at plies for a licence to get gang members and have a gun, a local put them where they Firearms Officer belong: behind bars.” may talk to neigh- He presented five bours, communi- proposals: ending auto- ty workers, social matic bail for gang mem- workers, individuals bers; identifying gangs in who work or live the Criminal Code; re- with the applicant, spouse or com- voking parole for gang members; tougher guns mon-law partner, former spouse or sentences for ordering gang crime; new former common-law partner, de- sentences for violent gang crime. uby Sahota, MP for Brampton amended the Firearms Act last year, so pendants, and more. In speeches elsewhere, he touched North, is concerned about the that licensing is required for most guns, It’s just to make sure everybody is on gun laws: “Blanket gun bans will R increase in crime in Brampton – and for ammunition. Crossbows, too. safe. do nothing to curb gun violence, only especially gun and gang violence. Individuals may be prohibited from The notes above are a quick visit to the make criminals of firearms owners who Sahota, a member of the House having a gun: current Firearms Act. They are not legal already follow the law.” of Common’s Standing Committee – if involved in a violent crime or advice. You can read the Act for yourself on Public Safety and National threat within the previous five years; online: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/ Conservative changes: Security, asked Bill Blair, Minister of – if treated for mental illness involv- acts/F-11.6/index.html Prison time for knowingly possessing Border Security and Organized Crime ing violence, attempted violence or a smuggled gun; creating a Firearms Reduction, how Peel Regional Police threats; PCs speak up Smuggling Task Force; temporary gun could access a federal investment of – has a history of violence or attempt- Speaking in Brampton in November, seizures for detained mental health pa- $65 million made to combat illegal guns ed violence. 2018, federal Conservative leader tients; lifetime firearms ban for violent and gangs in Ontario. Everyone who has a gun must com- Andrew Scheer said: “A Conservative and gang criminals; new penalties for Blair, a former Toronto Police Chief, plete the Canadian Firearms Safety government will take action to make it selling guns to prohibited users. clarified: funding to fight illegal guns and Course and pass a test. gangs is provided by the federal govern- To possess prohibited firearms or ment, the Ontario government decides restricted firearms, you must complete when and where to invest the money. a Restricted Firearms Safety Course and U.S. influence on Canada’s guns “It’s interesting that the pass a restricted firearms safety test. Canada’s Coalition for Gun Control reports that Canada is Conservatives like to pretend they Special consideration is given to in- safer than the United States, but has the fourth highest rate are hard on crime, but Ontario dividuals who hunt to feed themselves of gun deaths among the 36 nations in the Organization for Conservatives have only spent $11 mil- or family, or to make a living. lion of the available $65 million, even And here’s a common-sense com- Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). though communities like Brampton mand: The Coalition reports that in 2004, Canada had 384,000 re- are desperate for funding as crime is – Don’t give or lend a gun to anybody stricted weapons, mostly handguns, and adds: “Today, there increasing year after year,” said Sahota. who is impaired by drug or alcohol are almost one million legally owned handguns in Canada.” “Despite claiming to be ‘tough on crime’, – You may have a handgun to protect Some Canadian gun advocates parrot the U.S., claiming the federal Conservatives have promised to your own or somebody else, if you that their gun “rights” are threatened. eliminate our new common-sense gun laws need it for work, as part of a collec- “Not only do we have to fight U.S. guns coming over the bor- without any common-sense crime preven- tion if you are an approved collector. tion strategies to replace it.” – A gun collector must have historical, der, but we have to resist notions of arming for self-protection technological, or scientific knowl- and the influence of the powerful National Rifle Association, The common-sense approach edge of guns, keep guns safely, and which has no place in Canada,” the Coalition notes. The Liberal government in Ottawa agree to periodic inspections.

NEED FOOD? Don't Go Hungry If you don't have enough money for food and live in Mississauga, you can go to a neighbourhood food bank. It doesn't matter about your age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or immigration status. You will receive enough healthy food to feed your family for 7-10 days each month. There is no cost to visit a food bank. Find your food bank at www.themississaugafoodbank.org or phone 905.270.5589. 4 Tough Times – July-August, 2019 Ford Government’s math doesn’t add up NEITHER DO ITS PROMISES

BY JACK FLEMING with serious legal challenges, including The government acknowledged that staff and therefore reducing services. he Ford government’s cuts to those in criminal law, family law, mental it was too difficult for municipalities to The budget repeatedly stated “promise Legal Aid funding are hurting health hearings, and children’s aid cases. implement a 4% budget reduction ret- made, promise kept”. What will happen T the most vulnerable Ontarians. The people served by Legal Aid and roactively and deferred that cut to next to legal clinics is “promise made, prom- Is this what a government “for the by community legal clinics are all low year. It defies logic to say at the same ise broken”. people” looks like? income Ontarians. time that LAO can retroactively imple- At the time of writing, we still do Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides The two Peel legal clinics serve 22% ment a 36% cut. not know what the specific impact will many different services, including cer- of Ontario’s low income population. Why is this government targeting be on individual community legal clinics. tificates to pay for lawyers to represent The population we serve are mostly im- Legal Aid? The reason given by the Legal Aid has said that it will cut the total people in courts, advice lawyers and migrants and racialized. Attorney General and by the Premier budget for legal clinics by 16% this year duty counsel. LAO also funds commu- This fiscal year (retroactive to April is that although LAO has had increased (and more next year) and that the cut will nity legal clinics, such as North Peel & 1), the government is cutting its funding funding in recent years, they were serv- not be evenly distributed across clinics. Dufferin Community Legal Services to Legal Aid by $133m which is 36%. The ing fewer people. That was a false state- They have not yet given legal clinics their and Mississauga Community Legal budget for the Ministry of the Attorney ment. individual budgets for the year. Until we Services. General is being cut 7% this year – 86% The Auditor General’s report clearly get the funding decisions, we cannot Legal clinics assist vulnerable people of that cut is coming from LAO. Has the shows that the number of people helped make specific plans but we anticipate with the basic essentials of life: keep- Attorney General no other place else to has increased: 2013-14 to 2017-18 the that there will be job losses and that will ing a roof over their heads and some find savings other than on the backs of number of certificates issued increased mean that services will be cut. money to put food on the table. We help low income Ontarians? 23%. Presumably the Attorney General Either we will have to stop provid- people who are facing eviction, terrible The amount of the budget cutback was given false data by her staff as she ing help with some areas of law (for ex- repair issues in their rental housing, loss for LAO rises to $164M in 2022-23 would not knowingly make false state- ample, no longer offering employment of a job, denial of disability benefits (44% cut). Legal Aid represents 10% ments. Perhaps some savings could be law assistance) or cut back the level of and many other serious legal problems. of a $5 billion justice sector but will be found among Ministry staff instead of assistance (for example, just providing Our services are free of charge. shouldering over 50% of the cuts after at LAO? She now knows that was a false advice instead of representing someone Legal Aid Ontario also helps people three years of slash and burn. statement. What justification can there at a court or tribunal). be now for slashing Legal Aid’s budget? The people who will be hurt are the The Premier has repeatedly said that most vulnerable Ontarians. the government’s budget cuts will not The single mom and her kids facing result in a loss of front line services. eviction, the immigrant unable to get That is clearly not the case for LAO work in his field now facing termination and legal clinics. Legal clinics are small from the menial job he did get here, non-profit organizations with commu- the homeless schizophrenic person cut nity based boards of directors. All of off from Ontario Disability Support the staff are front line staff. Almost Program benefits. every penny of funding goes to per- This government “for the people” is sonnel and rent (the remaining small not for these people. Deepak Anand, leads a clean-up crew in the Mississauga-Malton riding that he amount pays for the phones, printers, represents in the Ontario Legislature. All participants got gloves and garbage etc.). It is impossible for legal clinics Jack Fleming is Executive Director of North bags, safety vests and and trash pickers, and the opportunity to take part in to have cuts this deep without losing Peel & Dufferin Community Legal Services cleanups every month. Useful background for Anand: He has a degree in chem- ical engineering and is producer and host of a local radio show. (Photo supplied) THERE’S AN ELECTION COMINGI Demand social justice! A federal election takes place Monday, October 21. It has never been more important than now to spread the word about poverty and social movements in Peel Region. Liking us on Facebook is an easy way to help. Tough Times will send the latest videos and articles about activism and social justice in Peel straight to your newsfeed. Also go to ToughTimesTabloid.ca – the only place where you can find videos and articles about poverty, activism, and social justice right here in Peel. If you or your organization are fighting for social justice in Peel Region, let Tough Times spread the word about you. Email us at [email protected] From Chris Fotos, Online Editor Tough Times – July-August, 2019 5

About 1,000 people attended Brampton’s first Community Itfar at the Rose Theatre and Garden Square, celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The event included recitations from the Quran, songs, stories, dancing, speeches, and dinner, as the community broke their fast – tra- ditionally, the community does not eat during the day during Ramadan. (Photo by the City of Brampton)

Being proud of our differences

BY JASPAL BRAR The lambda Triangles were badges We know that corporate greed that whether corporate supporters, or he month of June is official- of shame used during Nazi Germany will not stop at finding ways to make labour supporters, we are all members ly recognized as Pride Month which had gay men forced to wear the higher profits, even to the detriment of of the human race, who should stand T and June 21st was the National Pink Triangle on their clothing and the workers who help the corporations together as allies. Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada. the lesbian women forced to have the get wealthy. If we are not united and remain The Day is a celebration of the Black Triangle on their clothing. These We elect new governments in the occupied with our own biases, we cultures and heritage of Indigenous symbols have now been adopted by the hope that they will change and enact become divided and are vulnerable to People and the day corresponds with LGBTQ community to demonstrate laws for all Canadians, so people can attacks upon each other. the summer solstice -- which is the unity, pride, shared values and alle- earn a livable wage and work in safe Much work must be done to create longest day of the year. For genera- giance to one another. environments. a better society and we can do it by tions many Indigenous Peoples groups Why is this important to labour? At times some governments have standing together and enjoying each have celebrated their culture and Well, when we look at the working their own agendas, where they do not other’s rich cultures, religions, back- heritage at this time of the year. class we see us as one, we don’t create care so much for the workers but are grounds of race and history in order to Pride Month is just as important divisions amongst ourselves. In fact we there to benefit corporations. live in a more harmonious world. and is celebrated by members of the create unity. It is only when we stand Just as a person’s sexual orientation LGBTQ community. Some common collectively together that we can take or their heritage should not be a cause Jaspal Brar is president of Unifor Local symbols associated with Pride are the on the real issues at hand -- issues such to shun them, we must recognize 1285, with headquarters in Brampton. Rainbow Flag, The Pink Triangle, The as corporate greed, attacks on our ed- Black Tringle and the Greek letter ucation systems, attacks on our public Lambda in lowercase: λ healthcare and attacks on our pensions.

Please recycle this newspaper 6 Tough Times – July-August, 2019 Climate change on the Credit

he Green Party has launched tipping point that plunges us into run- Mission: Possible, to reduce fossil away global warming – a self-accelerat- T fuel use to zero by 2050. Bye-bye ing, irreversible spiral leading to the loss coal, oil, gasoline, and hello local gardens, of our hospitable biosphere and the re-planted forests, and more electricity, potential extinction of most species on including electric cars and buses. earth, including us. Holding to 1.5 de- The Greens want to put Canada “on grees is not negotiable. It is do or die.” something equivalent to a war footing to The Greens spell it out: persuade ensure the security of our economy, our all parties to work together as they did children and their children – our future.” during World War II, stop using fossil Victory lies in ensuring that the fuels to produce electricity, all cars to average temperature of Earth does run on electricity by 2040, better train not rise more than 1.5 degrees C over and bus services fuelled by electricity, pre-Industrial Revolution levels. more solar panels, reduce emissions Says the Green plan: “An increase from international shipping, aviation of two degrees is far too dangerous. and the military, design housing to Somewhere below two degrees is the withstand the climate, and more The Credit River in peaceful mode. (Tough Times photo) Ford in a muddle with ODSP math

BY KIM NORTHCOTE “They have helped people in pov- ernment is trying to achieve,” Laidley changes, resulting in an exponential ntario Disability Support erty manage a little better, but because asserts. increase in suffering, and a devastating Program (ODSP) provides of the disincentives built into ODSP Ford may also change the Health cost to our healthcare system.” O cash to help people with dis- rules, it actually discourages people Spending Account to provide recip- "There are many people who apply abilities meet living expenses for them- from finding work…” Indeed, having ients with a lump sum for medical for ODSP are not accepted on their selves and their families. Prescription over half of your earnings taken by the needs. This may reduce red tape, as first try, if at all. ODSP is set up to drugs and vision care may also be cov- government is discouraging. beneficiaries must currently submit a deny people by design, hard to get on ered, and help with finding and keeping It’s hard to miss the irony of Lisa request for each disability-related cost at first try,” notes Vose. "People who a job. McLeod, who was heading a lot of -- mobility, medical equipment and don’t have a connection to service Now, Ontario Premier Doug Ford the changes as Minister of Children, repairs, diet, guide dogs, medication agencies to help them through the wants to overhaul ODSP. But he is Community, and Social Services up -- but ISAC fears the lump sum won’t process are more than likely to be going the wrong way about it. until very recently, claiming the new cover costs. rejected.” Many applicants also face Currently, ODSP reduces the 75% clawback policy was meant to The Ontario ministry may bring language barriers, reliance on walk-in amount of cash it gives to people with alleviate an existing “cycle of depen- ODSP qualifications in line with fed- clinics because they can’t get get a disabilities when they earn above a dency”. It only deepens it. eral programs such as Canada Pension family doctor, and inconsistent advice certain level. Ford wants to raise the The Income Security Advocacy Plan’s disability benefits (CPP-D), about benefits and the application earnings permitted before reductions Centre (ISAC) is troubled by the where a disability must be “severe process. kick in from $2400 a year to $6000 a proposed changes. ISAC’s research and and prolonged”. Changing criteria to This causes bureaucratic ineffi- year. But benefits will be reduced by policy analyst Jennefer Laidley points resemble federal programs would make ciency as well, as those rejected from 75%, against the current 50%. out that the income of ODSP recip- it more difficult to qualify for ODSP, ODSP are in limbo and up collecting Do the math: The larger reductions ients’ partners or spouses is counted and exclude episodic or short-term from Ontario Works, but remain outweigh the benefit of the higher as the recipient’s income, making it disabilities. unable to seek or hold employment exemption. Beneficiaries could earn subject to deductions. Recipients will Kyle Vose, PHA (People Having because of a disability. Ontario Works more, but the higher reductions would “earn their way out of the system” at AIDS/HIV) Engagement Coordinator provides less income than ODSP and strip all benefits from recipients earn- a lower income than before, leaving for the Toronto People With AIDS doesn’t cover disability-related needs ing over $24,704, compared to $30,456 them without the medical benefits they Foundation, says “…the government’s like medical equipment or special diets. if reductions remained at 50%. rely on. new definition of disability means that Many people who need ODSP are Taking any earnings away from The majority of ODSP recipients’ HIV-positive citizens will be exclud- using Ontario Works. Further restrict- people with disabilities is questionable, jobs don’t provide benefits or insur- ed, making medication inaccessible ing the definition of disability will especially considering that for many ance, and the $24,704 income that and increasing the risk of the virus make this problem worse. recipients, ODSP barely covers rent. disqualifies them from the system is being spread," Those who don’t fit As of February, 2019, ODSP has (ODSP allots $498 a month for rent— hardly sufficient to pay for medical the new definition but are already on 515,891 beneficiaries. What will hap- about half the cost of most GTA needs, especially for those whose ODSP will be grandfathered, but the pen to them if Ford restricts ODSP rentals.) condition results in costly medical new policy will shut out many future access and takes income away? As former Conservative Senator treatment or equipment. applicants. Hugh Segal points out, programs like The new policy is “putting people “Many people with mental and Kimberly Northcote has a BA in Criminal ODSP and Ontario Works haven’t behind the eight-ball. It is completely physical illnesses will be without medi- Justice and Public Policy from the University significantly reduced poverty. counter to the policy objective the gov- cation and treatment because of these of Guelph. Tough Times – July-August, 2019 7 Big time cricket could bowl us over! Canada’s largest cricket tournament is coming to Brampton July 25 to Aug. 11

Brampton is host to the Global T20 (GT20) Cricket Tournament from July 25 to August 11 this year. It’s an important event. The City’s 12 city-owned cricket fields and its four minor fields will be put to full use, plus Brampton has three more cricket projects under way. The GT20, an annual event, had its first Canadian airing in King City last year. Promotional verbiage today says the Brampton event could “catapult cricket as the world’s leading sport “with continued growth in broadcast viewership.” Canada’s cricket history goes back to the 1800s when it took part in the first official interna- tional match in North America. The bowling is fast and the batsman is waiting for a hit – ball or wicket. (Photo courtesy of GT20) Mississauga’s Mayor is on a mission

BY RANGA RAJAH Tough Times asked Mayor Bonnie easily accessible. regulate affordable buildings. Some omelessness is no longer a Crombie. And this is what she said: For people with no fixed address, examples are the Rental Housing hidden in Mississauga. As Mayor, I have made it my mission to replacement or renewal of health Protection By-law and Demolition H ensure that Mississauga remains afford- cards, or Ontario birth certificates, or Control By-law. Here’s an example: able for all and that our city remains a identification alone, can be a barrier to We appeal to other levels of gov- It’s around 3 p.m. at Hurontario place where everyone has the opportu- housing. This is where the library can ernment for changes to policies and and Eglinton, and two middle-aged nity to live a good life and to prosper. help. programs and for financial support to men are exchanging strong words, The Region of Peel oversees We will continue to tackle poverty, improve the situation in Mississauga. according to residents in the nearby social services in Mississauga, in- build affordable housing for low and Are the groups around Hurontario townhouse complex. cluding shelters, several of them in middle-income earners, and ensure intersections an indicator of growing These men and others are homeless Mississauga, serving people of all ages that as Mississauga grows and pros- homelessness in Mississauga? and they ask for money at intersections and circumstances. We understand pers, no one is left behind. Homelessness can be present in from Eglinton to Square One. that longer-term housing solutions are The City wants to ensure that any community. We need to under- You can tell where they have been needed. there are more long-term, permanent stand the underlying factors and needs by the empty garbage bags, empty cans Some simpler problems are solved housing options for everyone. As a of people to ensure we provide effec- and water bottles, and cardboard signs through an Open Window Hub based City we are committed to this and will tive services to our residents through left behind. in Central Library, where a qualified continue to look at increasing options the Region of Peel. We want to ensure This is just one area for homeless social worker provides information including second units and rental that every member of our city has a folk to beg. The exits from major and help to anyone who needs it. He housing. roof over their head and nutritious highways are also popular spots to ask also seeks out marginalized and at-risk We are committed to supportive meals. for cash. groups such as homeless people, to planning policies and regulations I will continue to host my annual So what is Mississauga doing to help introduce them to library programs that encourage a range of housing Mayor’s Food Drive to help ensure that homeless people? and services which are often free and types and sizes, adopting by-laws that no one in our city goes hungry. 8 Tough Times – July-August, 2019 Let’s process our raw materials into jobs for all BY FARINA HASSAN recommended printing more cash. The generated a small profit last year; however, he Bank of Canada is primarily Canadian government can print as much it is not sustainable or lucrative for longer responsible for keeping inflation cash as required to pay off our debts. periods, due to defaults, few applicants, LABOUR PUSHES BACK T under control and to lend money This would allow the Bank of Canada to and few businesses qualifying for loans. to the government of Canada and var- provide funding to all levels of govern- We can reduce private banks’ ability ious financial institutions. This enables ment and meet our fiscal and expenditure to create more money by increasing their institutions to keep their books balanced demands. reserve, but this will only affect Canadian and avoids collapse of the banking sys- After a global meltdown in 2008, chartered banks directly. Subsidiaries of tem. Canada had to deal with numerous cuts and overseas banks are not necessarily gov- Since its inception of Bank of Canada austerity measures, which has left families erned under the same rule and might not has bailed out financial institutions and the struggling. So why doesn’t the government follow our process while due to the in- Canadian government many times, from ask the Bank of Canada to print more crease in global business, we need banks the time of Great Depression to World Canadian dollars and pay off all our debts? to be able to transact with one another. War Two, to the economic collapse of And why is the government not borrowing Stringent regulations would make it diffi- 1979-80. It has a governor who oversees all their money from the Bank of Canada cult for Canadian charter banks to operate the operations of the bank, its fiscal and at zero-to-no interest rate? This seems like in the international market. monetary policy and keeping the interest a simple solution to a huge problem. So, what do we do? We need to re- rate affordable. It is audited by an indepen- The answer lies in supply and demand duce our debts, pay for public infrastruc- dent audit company. of currency. If the Bank of Canada re- ture, strengthen our social programs The Bank of Canada is controlled sumes lending to the government of and increase economic activities. The by the federal government through the Canada, then the Bank needs cash to lend. usual austerity programs involving cuts Finance Minister, whose task includes rec- The only way to generate that is by either to social programs and privatization is ommending the independent auditor. printing more money or issuing bonds or not the answer for our social democratic The finance minister and the Bank treasury bills. But the return on bonds can welfare state. of Canada are jointly responsible for fis- be significantly higher if obtained from The answer lies in a mixture of better cal and monetary policy of the country, private banks, so few people will want gov- controlled monetary polices and increasing keeping inflation in control, a lending rate ernment-issued bonds. taxes. By increasing taxes of corporations, within guidelines, and having enough cash On the other hand, if we print cash to government can generate more revenue flow to pay off debts, maintain social and pay off our debts, the supply of money and cover cost. economic programs and create overall eco- increases, people will have more money This can be achieved by having a bal- nomic activity. to buy products, resulting in increases in anced approach towards monetary pol- COMER, the Committee on Monetary the price of goods, further resulting in an icy - including control of interest rates, and Economic Reform, is a private group increase in inflation and more expensive inflation rate, amount of currency in that wants to raise awareness about the goods and services. the market and overall strong econom- Bank of Canada, and calls on federal gov- Another source of cash flow for the ic investment. Instead of extracting raw ernment to resume borrowing from the Bank of Canada would be lending money materials, the government should invest Bank of Canada at minimum or no inter- to entrepreneurs/small business owners, a in processing these raw materials within est. This would allow the Government of task currently done through the Business Canada, creating further jobs, reducing Canada to be virtually interest-free on its Development Bank of Canada, which our imports of finished goods, increas- debts and have more cash available to pay charges up to 12% depending on the ap- ing our exports and increasing our Gross for social programs. plicant. Domestic Product (GDP). An overall Similarly, author Joyce Nelson, has This increased revenue for the Bank win-win for everyone involved. Canada owns a bank all its own. It’s called the Bank of Canada n March 1935, the Bank of Canada opened its doors as a pri- Now, Canada is paying interest-on-the-interest it must pay to vately owned institution, with shares sold to the public. Then, Basel, and scrimping on social services here at home to do it. I in 1938, it became publicly owned as it is today. There’s another state-owned bank in North America -- the Until 1974, the Bank lent money to Canadian governments at Bank of North Dakota, dubbed “socialist”. Total assets are $7 low interest -- interest that in any case went back to the Canadian billion. Population of North Dakota: 760,000. people via the government. This bank has made record profits for the last 15 years, net The Bank of Canada financed the St. Lawrence Seaway, the earnings of $160m in 2018, with a return on investments of Trans-Canada Highway, the production of weapons, ships, and 18%. more for World War Two, Toronto’s first subways, and other It provides funds for building schools, upgrading roads, im- useful things, most of them still in public ownership. proving health care facilities, as well as business and home loans In 1974, a consortium of private banks was formed in Basel, to local borrowers. Switzerland, and Canada along with other nations, switched its borrowing there. COMER – Committee of Monetary and Economic Reform – is a group The Bank of Canada stopped building the nation, retaining of Canadians currently campaigning to have the Bank of Canada resume only the job of keeping inflation under control. its lending role. Tough Times – July-August, 2019 9

hen trade unions take a hit, everybody gets slammed. W That’s part of the message Peel members and supporters of the Ontario Federation of Labour LABOUR PUSHES BACK (OFL) presented at a rally beside Mississauga City Hall. Vital services are on the line, dem- onstrators declared. Cuts to education, health care from emergency medical services to public health, child care, increasing housing costs, all impact working people – and even more those who have been laid off, or can’t get jobs. The demonstrators were clear: they want the rich to pay a fair share of taxes, to ensure that Canadian families have the services they need to care for Ontario’s children and to help all Ontarians prosper. They declared: Attacks on work- ers’ rights must end. Workers across Ontario are ready to restore public services, to oppose cutbacks and privatization. The OFL represents a million work- ers and 54 trades unions in Ontario.

Photos by JERRY JAROSZ, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers 10 Tough Times – July-August, 2019

Keeping the wheels turning

Biking makes you fit, as shown by these young folk pedaling their way around Mississauga. The City has produced a handbook on biking. Pick it up at your nearest community centre. (Photos by City of Mississauga)

Proudly representing Peel’s LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I found these documents safe at Public Elementary Teachers I recently found myself penniless in home when I arrived there, thanks to Brampton. This letter is to thank the the charming Brampton lady who made local lady – don’t know her name or the return trip possible. Defending quality public education – where she lives -- who provided the $2 To mark her kindness, I have sent needed to pay for parking, so I would a $20 donation to Knights Table, the for our students & our communities not be trapped in the City Hall under- Brampton soup kitchen which serves ground parking lot. meals to people who also find themselves etfopeel.com It was the one day in a long life that without banknotes, coins, or credit cards, I did not carry banknotes, coins, credit and in many cases, don’t have a home to @ETFOPeel cards, Tim’s Rewards, driver’s licence, keep either themselves or their belongings. @peeletfo library card, health card, and a note that Thank you, anonymous benefactor. donates my body to science when I no Edna Toth longer need it. Mississauga Citizen of the Year, 2011

Hepatitis C Treatment, Care & Support Is Available

You can be at risk if: • Sharing of personal care and hygiene items such as razors, toothbrushes, clippers and scissors with someone living with hepatitis C • Sharing needles used for body tattoos and pie rcings. Reusing and sharing tattoo ink and ink pots • - • Receive blood and body organs tha t have not been screened for hepatitis C. Even in Canada, if you received blood and organ donations • beSharingfore 19 drug90 y equipmentou may be atsuch ris kas. needles, �ilters, tourniquets, water, syringes, cookers, alcohol swabs, acidi�iers • Involved in medical procedures including immunization in hepatitis C endemic countries

Contact: Bloom Clinic 40 Finchgate Blvd. Suite 224, Brampton, ON L6T 3J1 Phone: 905-451-6959 |[email protected] to book a free test. Tough Times – July-August, 2019 11 Join the Lived Experience Table

• Are you a resident of Brampton, Mississauga or Caledon? • Do you have lived/living experience with poverty?

• Do you want to make a difference? • If you answered yes to all these questions, the Peel Poverty Reduction Committee is inviting you to get involved and have your voice heard.

We are looking for individuals who have lived or living experience with poverty in Peel, and would like to join the Lived Experience Table.

Ways to apply: Online: surveymonkey.com/r/Livedexperienceapplication Email: [email protected] Telephone: 905-791-7800, ext. 8782 HUM-0890 19/03 12 Tough Times – July-August, 2019

OPINION PIECEI Hope ahead for single moms

If Mississauga secedes from Peel Region, what will happen to cash-poor people here? People who are homeless – living in the woods or in alleyways, doorways, anywhere they can find space – and living rough for days and nights on end, can’t be much worse off than they are now. A single person relying on Ontario Works gets $733 a month, for rent and food and staying alive. A single mother with one child gets $1,119 a month. If her little one wants to take part in a sports team, there’s a fee. Although Bees on the roof of Mississauga City Hall many of these events are subsidized by taxpayers (including the single mom (Photo supplied by City of Mississauga) (Photo by Tough Times) through her rent) the chances of her child taking part are not good, because taking part requires time and money, and it’s not there. Tough Times and Peel Poverty Action Group attach some hopes to BEE-have around bees Mississauga being a separate entity: Mayor Bonnie Crombie wants to take Mississauga out of the Peel collective. ississauga is bent on becom- munity gardens. She has a good business head and a heart that even Doug Ford would find ing a Bee City, a-buzz with Local gardeners, too, are encouraged difficult to ignore. M bees pollinating flowers, to create bee bases in their own back- And somebody has to get through to Ford that people can’t live on next weeds, trees, and shrubs all over town. yard. to nothing. Pollination enables plants to pro- But bees have a downside: Bonnie can get through to him on behalf of the men and women who duce seeds and fruit and Mississauga They can sting! are getting older and more in need, on behalf of single moms who want a councillors believe the work of bees Advisors at City Hall say: When fair share for their children, on behalf of people whose disabilities don’t contributes to residents’ good health, so dealing with bees, “Let them bee.” disappear over the years. there’s a hive on the roof of City Hall. And they add: “Bees only sting if Bonnie will get them humane treatment, which they certainly are not get- Mississauga has 23 other pollinator they feel threatened, so give bees space, ting from the province now. projects buzzing along, including com- and don’t try to touch them.” ‘Standards that support the public interest’ Excerpt from a letter from MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, Q.C. ows, out of sight of Canadians. to Liberal MPs, after the SNC-Lavalin affair, but before she I believed we were going to uphold the highest was removed from the Liberal caucus. standards that support the public interest, and not simply make choices to create partisan advantage. There were many reasons I ran for the Liberal As part of committing to this transformative and Party of Canada in 2015, including commitments progressive path, we were also committing to a gov- on addressing climate change, the challenges of ernment and caucus that represented all Canadians. our criminal justice system, Indigenous reconcili- Diverse and inclusive, our Caucus was to be a ation, and building an economy that supported all microcosm of Canada not just geographically, but Canadians. demographically. For me, and I believe for our Party, all of these Indeed, I believe we understood that to build a progressive policy commitments had underlying stronger Canada, we needed to reflect that Canada. them a firm belief in the need for a transformation This includes the challenges, opportunities, tensions, in our political culture, and the pursuit of a more and insights that arise when seeking to forge a responsive, representative, and less partisan approach common path and understanding in a context of real to the governing of the country. diversity and difference. This commitment to a changed politics was not This is a vision that reflects the future. Young just about specific policies, such as proportional people identify in dozens of different ways before representation, but about every aspect of how we they identify with a political party and they privilege Know your rights organize ourselves to govern, and the responsibilities diversity of experience, background, and belief that each of us carry. and upholding the experiences of all, over simply @ work We committed to break old and cynical patterns following the paths laid out with those who claim to Workshops every month of centralizing power in the hands of a few un- hold power. elected staffers, the marginalization of hundreds of Phone 905-699-7444 Members of Parliament with expertise and insights Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., Member of Labour Community Services of Peel to offer, and the practice of governing in the shad- Parliament for Vancouver-Granville Tough Times – July-August, 2019 13

BY CHRIS FOTOS wage jobs are for teenagers is simply f you are a minimum wage worker, not substantiated by the numbers. your wallet is lighter than it should UP with the Now let’s turn our attention toward I be right now. The minimum wage the perennial conservative fearmonger- was supposed to go from $14 an hour ing supposedly rooted in the ‘science’ to $15 an hour in January, but Premier of economics. “It’s basic economics” Doug Ford scrapped the raise when he minimum wage scoffs the keyboard economist. “If you took office in August, 2018. raise the minimum wage, you’ll only get There’s a lot of rhetoric in fa- apocalyptic wasteland overrun by rose with value produced. Since then rampant inflation and unemployment.” vour of Ford’s move, but most of gun-toting quick order kiosks. “But wages have stagnated while productiv- Except that isn’t what happens. it amounts to junk economics that let’s face it,” say conservative uncles at ity has skyrocketed. If the minimum Economic models often don’t line ignores reality. Sunday dinners across Peel, “minimum wage still rose with productivity, it’d be up with reality, and it’s an open secret Take the automation argument for wage work doesn’t deserve more than in the low 20’s today. that classical economics is mostly example. It goes like this: if you raise the it’s already paid.” The low 20’s? That’s a lotta dough. ruling-class ideology dressed in science minimum wage, business owners will fire A simple question reveals the Aren’t minimum wage jobs meant for clothing. So let’s turn away from con- workers and automate jobs en masse. absurdity behind this line of reasoning: high school kids? Why would a teenag- trived supply and demand curves and This argument rests on a silly as- what exactly does it mean to ‘deserve’ er need that much money? toward, say, Seattle, which gradually sumption: that businesses are holding a certain wage? If you ask five differ- This sophisticated argument can be upped its minimum wage from $9.47 off on automation because they don’t ent people, you'll get debunked by anyone in 2015 to $15 today. have enough incentive. Raising the five different answers. who's ever eaten a Initially, economists sounded the minimum wage, the story goes, will That’s because argu- Big Mac between alarm bells, predicting that inflation give them the push they need. ments about ‘who the hours of 8 a.m. would skyrocket and low wage earners In the real world, however, business deserves what’ are and 3 p.m. when would be left jobless. But now those owners already have every incentive completely subjective. high school kids are, same economists are scrambling to to automate. Android and iOS devices They're based on well, at school. If explain why the opposite happened: have a kiosk mode that can automate feelings, not numbers. I were to design a most workers earned more and very many customer service jobs at an op- So if abstract job 'meant for’ high few earned less after the minimum erating cost of virtually zero, and more ideas like ‘deserve’ are school students, I'd wage went up. advanced systems (like the ones now all but meaningless, probably want to It’s clear that so-called ‘com- seen in most McDonalds locations) how can we tell what labour should be make sure that my busiest operating mon-sense’ arguments against might have licensing fees of around paid? Here’s a crazy idea: let’s start by hours weren't ones that high school minimum wage hikes aren’t rooted $500 a month which, if the system looking at how much value workers students couldn't work. Side note: in reality, and their grim predictions operates 40 hours a week, works out actually produce. In the U.S., the av- what does it even mean for a job to be almost never come true. to about $1.80/hr. This means that we erage worker generates $60/hr. That’s 'meant for’ a certain kind of person? In truth, they’re just one more could cut the minimum wage by three right, if you’re an average worker, you Jobs are 'meant’ to produce value for tactic used by the ruling class to ensure quarters and labour still wouldn’t have produce $60 in value for every hour companies. that the working class keeps voting a chance at competing with automa- worked. And if you’re the average Let's put the obvious aside for a mo- against its own interests. tion. So how could suppressing mini- Canadian you only take home about ment and pretend that we actually need mum wage possibly slow automation? $23 — the remaining $37 goes to own- statistics to debunk this lazy narrative. Chris Fotos is completing a degree in philoso- In spite of conservative ers and stockholders who didn’t do any According to a 2018 study by Statscan, phy at York University, and is Online Editor hand-wringing, raising the minimum of the labour required to generate that 47.7% of minimum wage workers are of Tough Times, Peel’s only social justice news- wage won’t turn Ontario into an value. Until the late seventies, wages aged 25-65. The idea that minimum paper. More good deeds rampton soup kitchen Knights Table is setting up its own Pay it Forward Pay it forward campaign, starting Saturday, July 27. Pay It Forward means that when someone does a good deed for you, Saturday, July 27, 2019 B Do a good deed for a homeless person you pay it forward by doing a good deed for someone else. That someone else does a good deed for someone else and on and on. The idea comes from the Sponsored by Knights Table and the Region of Peel movie Pay It Forward, based on a book. Phone (905) 454-8725 for information Knights Table and Peel Region will proclaim July 27 as a special Pay It Forward Day in Peel, when everyone is invited to do a small act of kindness for a homeless person. It could be a donation to help Knights Table provide meals for people who can’t provide for themselves. Or giving good shoes to someone who needs them. Or providing clean clothes.

Knights Table can tell you about needs. Just ask. Phone (905) 454-8725 Knights Table is at 4-287 Glidden Road, Brampton, east off Kennedy, two lights north of Steeles. 14 Tough Times – July-August, 2019 Knowledge: Power over addictions

The essential guidebook to mindful- parenthood, the pressures of being a fore they first pick up a drink or drug, ness in recovery mom, a wife/partner, a professional? highlights the changes that take place ToughTomes by John Bruna In Raising the Bottom, mothers, daugh- in the brain and behavior as a result of 2018 ters, health professionals, and young chronic using, and shares the surprising BY LAURA BILYEA, Librarian 616. 8603 BRU women share their stories of why they hidden gifts of personality that addic- Central Library, Mississauga drank, how they stopped, and the joys tion can expose. She describes what In this self-paced and rewards of being present in their drove her to addiction, what helped her aybe you know addictions; curriculum that lives once they kicked alcohol to the recover, and her belief that a “cure” for after all, they come in all integrates mindful- curb. addiction will not be found in our indi- M shapes and sizes. ness and its practic- vidual brains but in the way we interact It’s that late-night plate of cookies es with twelve-step Addict in the house: a no-nonsense with our communities. that are all for you. Perhaps it’s that recovery, former family guide through addiction & glass of wine before dinner, then a glass Buddhist monk recovery High: everything you want to know during dinner, then a third or fourth af- John Bruna outlines the seven skills by Robin Barnett about drugs, alcohol, and addiction terwards to unwind after the long day. of living mindfully in recovery. These 2016 by David and Nic Sheff It’s those pills you’ve been taking for skills include values, attention, wisdom, 362.29 BAR 2019 months since your surgery—wait, it’s equanimity, compassion, loving-kind- 616.86 SHE been years now. ness, and action - utilizing lessons, Everyone suffers Maybe you know someone who suf- meditations, reflections, and other daily when there's an ad- The Sheffs, a fa- fers with addictions. It could be a loved practices. dict in the family. ther-and-son team, one, whom you find yourself protecting Drawing on her own provide all the in- in small ways because maybe it will help Spiritual adrenaline: a lifestyle personal experience formation teens and them feel safe. plan to nourish and strengthen your with her brother's tweens need to know How do we stop these destructive recovery addiction, Addict in about drugs, alco- behaviours? How can we understand by Tom Shanahan the House offers a hol, and addiction. what we are fighting? 2019 pragmatic, step-by-step guide to deal- David Sheff, author Knowledge is a powerful first step. 616.86 SHA ing with a loved one's addiction, from of Beautiful Boy (2008), and Nic Sheff, Here is a list of current books from accepting the reality of the disease to author of Tweak: Growing Up on your local library; read more to learn In this inspiration- surviving what may be repeated cycles Methamphetamines (2008), wrote the what addiction is, to see a variety of al lifestyle plan that of recovery and relapse. With this re- ultimate resource for learning about recovery plans, to hear success stories, integrates nutrition, vealing and straightforward book, you'll the realities of drugs and alcohol for and to provide help to those we love. exercise, and spiritu- have the support you need to take an middle grade readers. This book tells al practices into the honest look at how addiction has af- it as it is, with testimonials from peers Blue dreams: the science and the story proven method of fected the family, cope with the emo- who have been there and families who of the drugs that changed our minds twelve-step recovery, tional hurdles of having an addicted have lived through the addiction of a by Lauren Slater sports nutritionist family member, create and maintain loved one, along with the cold, hard 2018 Tom Shanahan outlines a program of firm boundaries, and make informed facts about what drugs and alcohol do 615. 788 SLA action to energize, reboot, and strength- decisions about how best to help your to our bodies. From how to navigate In her thorough en one's recovery, especially those who loved one. peer pressure to outlets for stress to the analysis of each feel they may have hit a wall in their potential consequences for experiment- treatment, Slater program. Spiritual Adrenaline imparts Never enough: the neuroscience and ing, Nic and David Sheff lay out the asks three funda- the importance of a holistic approach experience of addiction facts so that middle grade readers can mental questions: to fitness, good eating habits, and con- by Judith Grisel educate themselves. how was the drug nection to a personal higher power in 2019 born, how does it order to optimize the guiding principles 362.29 GRI work (or fail to work), and what does of the Twelve Steps and reinforce re- it reveal about the ailments it is meant lapse prevention. Judith Grisel was a to treat? daily drug user and Fearlessly weaving her own intimate Raising the bottom: making mindful college dropout when experiences into comprehensive and choices in a drinking culture she began to consid- wide-ranging research, Slater narrates a by Lisa Boucher er that her addiction personal history of psychiatry itself. In 2017 might have a cure, the process, she casts modern psychi- 362.292 BOU one that she her- atry’s wonder drugs in a new light, re- self could perhaps vealing their ability to heal us or hurt us, We live in a boozy cul- discover by studying the brain. Now, and proves an indispensable resource ture, and the idea of after 25 years as a neuroscientist, she not only for those with a psychotropic women and wine has shares what she and other scientists prescription but for anyone who hopes become entrenched. have learned about addiction, enriched to understand the limits of what we Do you crave the re- by captivating glimpses of her personal know about the human brain and the lease a drink can bring journey. She points to what is different possibilities for future treatments. to cope with anxiety, about the brains of addicts even be- Tough Times – July-August, 2019 15

GET THE STRESS OUTI 12 hours that can change your life

BY NICOLE ALLIN Malton, and the Canadian Association eeling worried and stressed, and of Retired Persons (CARP) Brampton just can’t shake it? Does every- chapter, to offer Living Life to the F day life feel heavy and burden- Full in primary health care and in some? You wonder – is this normal? community settings. Is there something wrong with me? A standard version of the group You’re not sure if this is serious is open to anyone over 18. Groups enough to take to your doctor, to merit focused on the 50+ are also available. a mental health diagnosis or pills…or In a mental health care system maybe you’ve already tried these things where psychiatry can be hard to access, and are still left feeling lost. therapy can be costly, and subsidized Living Life to the Full is a group counselling has long waiting lists, program that tries to change that. In Living Life to the Full groups can fact, the program bills itself as “12 bridge the gap for those who need hours that can change your life”, a connections and support. claim backed by research and over nine Plans are underway to introduce years of the course being offered in the program elsewhere, including Canada. Orangeville and Caledon. You do The Canadian Mental Health not need a mental health diagnosis, Association Peel Dufferin offers Living or a referral from your doctor to Life to the Full groups for everyone attend. from students to retirees. facilitators, who are also experienced A pilot of the program focused on Thanks to donations from the pub- Created by Dr. Chris Williams, a mental health workers. adults 55+ in Ontario found that 62% lic and business, CMHA Peel Dufferin psychiatrist from the University of The program uses colourful and of participants reported improvements can offer this program free of charge Glasgow in Scotland, Living Life to the highly stylized training materials, in their mood, and 75% learned new to everyone who wants it. Full is based on Cognitive Behaviour including glossy booklets which ways of coping with stress. Three Just phone CMHA Peel Dufferin’s Therapy – a proven treatment for participants can take home -- booklets months after completing the pro- Central Intake line to find out when anxiety, depression, and other mental with titles like Why Does Everything gram, these participants reported that Living Life to the Full groups are health problems. Always Go Wrong, The Bad Thought they continued to experience a more scheduled, and where they are taking Cognitive Behaviour Therapy helps Spotter and The Amazing Bad- positive mindset and had found greater place. The registration process is you examine thoughts, attitudes, and Thought-Busting Program which help social support. simple and requires only a phone call. beliefs that may be contributing to participants examine thinking styles Part of what makes this program To learn more, contact the Canadian difficulties in your life, and it teach- and learn how to look at problems so effective is providing mental health Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin at es specific skills and strategies for differently. support outside exclusive mental (905) 451-2123 or www.cmhapeeldufferin.ca change. Over the course of the program, health settings. Living Life to the Full teaches these these skills help you to feel more This year, CMHA Peel Dufferin Nicole Allin, RSSW (Registered Social skills in 90-minute group sessions over optimistic, gain interest in other people has joined with others, including Service Worker) is the Community Groups eight weeks. CMHA Peel Dufferin and new activities, and feel more Central Brampton Family Health Lead at the Canadian Mental Health has six trained Living Life to the Full confident. Team, Four Corners Health Centre in Association, Peel Dufferin

NORTH PEEL & DUFFERIN Community Legal Services

g Free legal services for low income residents of Brampton, Caledon and Dufferin County

g Problems with your landlord?

g Is your rent subsidy threatened?

g Was your application for Ontario Disability Support Program benefits denied?

g Problems with Ontario Works?

905-455-0160 Toll Free from Dufferin 1-866-455-0160 [email protected] 16 Tough Times – July-August, 2019

Visit peelregion.ca @regionofpeel

EarlyON Centres Are you a parent or caregiver of a child that is 0-6 years old? Visit an EarlyON Child and Family Centre in Peel and take advantage of free drop-in programs for your family. These Centres are open during the day and evenings, and some locations on the weekends. Check out ontario.ca/earlyon for more information about a Peel location near you. At these Centres: Children can... • Learn through play; • Spend quality time with their families and other children; and • Enjoy culturally-relevant programs.

Families can... • Participate in early learning activities with their children; • Meet other families • Learn about early years literacy, health and nutrition; and • Speak to early years staff and find resources in their community.

HUM-0456 19/06