EMAIL | [email protected]

Vol. 6 No. 2/ March-April, 2017 Heading for the Sugar Bush

here’s nothing more maple syruping events. Canadian than maple Maple Magic kicks off at T syrup, and you’d like to Bradley Museum, 1620 Orr Road, think that every kid in Canada , for one week only knows something about it. from Saturday, March 11 through Come March Break, (which is to Sunday March 19. Activities March 11 to 19 this year if you from noon to 4 p.m. include learn- include the days when kids would ing how to tap a tree. not be in school anyway) maple Cost is $6.24 for children, syrup drips its sticky way onto $7.80 for adults, and $19.50 for a pancakes and fingers, and small family. people absorb this most Canadian Other places have other op- of products, drop by gooey drop. portunities: But not all of them. Credit Valley Conservation It costs cash to learn about Authority has maple syrup activi- maple syruping. Even Peel District ties on the go at Terra Cotta and School Board charges $5 for adults Island Lake from Saturday, March and $4 for kids 12 and under who 4, 2017 to Sunday, April 2, 9.30 go to the Jack Smythe Field Centre a.m. to 3 p.m. Check days and near Terra Cotta during March times for March Break and other Break, to watch the tapping of the dates may be weekends only. trees, the dripping of the syrup, Cost is $5.75 - $8.85 per day; and see how the syrup is heated children four and under are free. on wood fires. Pancakes for lunch And pancake breakfast is is an additional cost item. served all day at extra cost. When schools are not on For festival details, sched- March Break, class visits can be ule of events and tickets, visit arranged, with each school making MapleSyrupFest.com its own arrangements to pay for a Shop around for more syrup- bus to the Sugar Bush. ing events. Maybe some of them (Photo supplied by Maple Magic at Bradley Museum) Other organizations offer are free.

Guaranteed income coming? P2 Add water and eat P7 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Carolyn Parrish on the job P3 Welfare: The poverty trap P8 Cheaper child care P4 Tough Tomes P9 Housing action in 2017? P5 Drop-in for mental health P11 ErinoakKids in the news P6

Friday, June 9, 2017 Pearson Convention Centre EARLY BIRD SPECIAL 2638 Steeles Ave E Buy before April 30 Buy after April 30 Brampton Tickets: $125 Tickets: $150 905 454-8725 Table of 8: $1000 Table of 8: $1200 [email protected] www.knightstable.org 2 Tough Times – March-April, 2017

TELLING IT LIKE IT ISI PEEL POVERTY Is a guaranteed basic Tough Times is published ACTION GROUP six times a year

Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) income coming our way? Next issue: May-June, 2017 is open to every individual and eel Poverty Action Group and further this issue; Deadline for ads and editorial: organization in Peel Region that cares Peel Region Poverty Reduction • people with similar mental health Saturday, April 1, 2017 about what poverty does to people. It Strategy Committee (PPRSC) issues, where supports could be pro- All deadlines are the first day provides a safe place where people who P of the preceding month: jointly organized two public meetings vided along with cash, and improve- are cash-poor and those who try to help July-August deadline: June 1; to discuss ’s Basic Income Pilot ments or failures measured; Sept.-Oct. deadline: August 1; them are encouraged to speak out – and Project – a government investigation • a racialized group, mastering a new Nov.-Dec. deadline: October 1 Tough Times is part of that safe place. Jan.-Feb 2018 deadline: December 1. of how to test the idea of handing out language, learning a different way of The Group’s mandate is to advocate Phone 905 826-5041 for people in need and to educate the money to cash-poor people. life — where are the problems, where Volunteer writers, reporters, artists, public about poverty issues. Membership An early evening meeting was held are the successes? cartoonists, photographers, are is free. PPAG meets at 9:30 a.m. the in January, at a Peel Region office in Generally, our participants were not welcome at Tough Times. second Thursday of every month Mississauga, another during lunch interested in the design of the Basic Please email letters to: (except July and August) alternately hour at Knights Table, a soup kitchen Income Pilot. They need money now, [email protected] in Mississauga at the Newcomer Produced by: in Brampton, where diners and others not in some distant unpredictable future. Peel Poverty Action Group (PPAG) Centre of Peel, 165 Dundas St. W., at voiced their thoughts. Confederation Parkway; in Brampton at Editor: Edna Toth PPRSC submitted detailed reports How much money? Associate Editors: the John Howard Society, 134 Main St. Michelle Bilek • Rosemary Keenan N., just south of Church St. on what members of the public said at The labour movement is promoting the meetings. $15 an hour, which at 35 hours a week Graphic Designer: Patti Moran Contributors: Meetings for 2017 PPAG pursued some of the partici- for a year would be $27,300 or $2,100 Michelle Bilek, Laura Bilyea, Leo Dias, Ryan Brampton: March 9, May 11, pants' ideas in later discussions, most tak- a month; the current OW (Ontario Gurcharn, Rosemary Keenan, Dr. Paula DeCoito, September 14, November 9; ing place at Knights Table, and sent them Works) rate is $8,472 a year for a sin- Dr. Simon Black, Shaila Kibria Carter, Sophia Mississauga: Feb. 9, April 13, Ramsay, Norma Nicholson, Adaoma Patterson, off to the Ministry of Community and gle person, or $706 a month. In Peel, Bret Sheppard, Sankofa, Edisiri Udoh, Amrik June 8, October 12, December, date to Social Services, which will publish a re- rents are high — at least $350 a month Ahluwalia, Huda Abbas, David Green, Sonia be decided. port this Spring. Here’s what PPAG said. for a single room, shared bathroom, no Sidhu MP, Anita Stellinga, John Needham, Edna Toth, Coun. Carolyn Parrish, Coun. Jeff Bow- cooking facilities; you can’t live on OW. www.ppag.wordpress.com man, Francine Sampogna, Lea Salameh,Chris These are among the thoughts dis- And the people who have no other in- Hatch, Emily Wiles. cussed: come need more money. Printed by: Atlantic Web Printers Is the Basic Income Pilot Project a delay When you don’t have enough to eat tactic, which will take so long to design and you sleep in the woods, discussion and test that the realities of poverty will of where more money comes from, Homeless: not be dealt with? how it will be distributed, how an allow- Advertising Its rules are not helpful: The age range ance sits with the Low Income Cutoff, The Video of 18-64 is exclusive — some under 18s is entirely academic. You need money Rates need help, including single mothers and now, before the cold snap. Spaces and Places: Uncovering young males who are homeless; The If you are sleeping in the woods, Tough Times distributes 10,000 Homelessness in the Region of Peel requirement for 12-months residence or in your car, you don’t pay rent, so copies, throughout Peel Region. is a 15-minute video in which excludes homeless people who are the you don’t get a rent allowance ($376 Target audience is people homeless people describe their poorest of all; Groups for the Pilot a month gone from a single person’s experiencing homelessness, using experiences. A team from PPAG, Project need not be assembled only by monthly cheque). food banks and soup kitchens, including a once-homeless person, geography (although the advantages of people who are struggling, will show the video to a group keeping contact, having offices for staff, Health plus faith groups, social service on request. There is no charge. are understood); Dental care, vision care, prescription agencies, trades unions, business To book a showing contact Suggestions for groups not deter- drugs, and other health shortcomings people, and the general public. [email protected]. mined solely by neighbourhood: should be paid through OHIP for all To advertise in Tough Times: Allow about 45 minutes for the • people just released from jail, armed ages and incomes. [email protected] video and discussion. with a bus ticket, the phone number Phone: 905 826-5041 of a shelter, and not much else; Education Mail address: 4 - 287 Glidden Road The video was made by a • homeless people; Schooling should be free at all levels, and Brampton ON L6W 1H9, Canada team from York University, in • single mothers of various ages (possibly for all ages, from childcare to PhD. TVO Advertising rates: (colour included) cooperation with the Social based in Peel, HQ at Knights Table); has a motto “Never stop learning.” It’s Business card: $90 Planning Council of Peel, financed • people providing care for elderly a good idea. Perhaps its time has come. 1/16 page: $100 by a grant from the Ontario relatives with Alzheimer’s or other Many of these suggestions, such as 1/8 page: $155 Trillium Foundation. afflictions — stories of daughters education, are far in the future. 1/4 page: $240 quitting jobs, then the welfare rules Others are not. Health ideas, a 1/2 page: $430 You can buy Spaces and Places insisting they must exhaust their sav- more generous handling of rent for 3/4 page: $600 on a memory stick for $50. Email ings and RRSPs, sell their car, not in- the homeless, an immediate increase in Full page: $755 [email protected] or vest in RESPs for their own children. funds to provide acceptable shelter for A full page is approximately 10 inches phone 905 826-5041. PPAG is prepared to set up a group the homeless, establishing support for wide by 12 inches deep = 120 square of Struggling Caregivers in Peel, to family caregivers, these are feasible now. inches. E&OE Tough Times – March-April, 2017 3

NEEDED: MORE WORK, BETTER WAGES, MORE HOMESI Affordable housing is Job No. 1

BY COUN. CAROLYN PARRISH for many avenues to be investigated --requiring new givable loan system for homeowners to finish base- lmost every week, developments to dedicate a percentage of units as ment apartments and keep rents low. my office receives a affordable, reducing restrictions on legalizing sec- In Ward 5, we’ve put our money where our mouth A call from someone ond units, opening up city-owned land for affordable is – selling Habitat for Humanity a townhouse for $2, struggling to afford a home housing, working with non-profits to create afford- which had fallen to the City for unpaid taxes. A family for themselves or their family. able homes, and subsidizing developers to make af- will be moved into it, off the wait list, this year. The Whether it’s a single parent fordable units work with their bottom lines. City also donated an abandoned fire hall on Victory working two jobs to rent a The Region of Peel is looking at changes to the Crescent ($650,000 land value) to Habitat and granted Coun. Carolyn Parrish small apartment, seniors who centralized waiting list for public housing to reduce a minor variance to build four semi-detached units in own their home but can’t af- wait times and put families in homes. It is also consid- which rents will be calculated at 30% of the family ford the property taxes and utilities, or a family with ering a loan program to encourage home-owners to income. Those homes will be retained by Habitat – two working parents trying to scrounge a down-pay- build basement apartments. I want to leave no stone affordable in perpetuity. Habitat also receives grants ment, only to see prices skyrocket out of their reach unturned when it comes to finding a way to increase from the Region (often via the Ontario government) while they save what they can –- Mississauga residents affordable housing stock. to build affordable housing. We’re also working with are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. them on a two-acre property for affordable seniors’ Nearly a third of Mississaugans are spending more The Region of Peel is looking units in Ward 5. Rent will be based on 30% of the than 30% of their income on accommodation. Peel’s at changes to the centralized seniors’ incomes, no matter what that amount is. affordable housing stock is dangerously low. And with waiting list for public housing Also in Ward 5, new developments have been lim- the population of Mississauga expected to grow to ited because of restrictions put in place around the 878,400 people by 2041, up from 742,700 in 2011, to reduce wait times and put airport. I have negotiated with the Greater now is the time to get moving on real strategies to families in homes. Airport Authority (GTAA), which has agreed to relax provide residents with affordable housing options. some of their objections to infill housing by seeking With construction of the Hurontario LRT (Light Prior to the 1970s, developers were given tax ad- sound-abatement modifications to windows and insu- Rail Transit) planned to start next year, we’re about vantages to build rental apartment buildings. When lation. This could have a huge impact on available land to see an incredible amount of development along those incentives were removed, purpose-built rentals for development in Mississauga. As Councillor, I will the Hurontario corridor. We need to do what we can were abandoned by developers because of rent con- stickhandle an Official Plan Review and rezoning at the before construction begins to ensure that affordable trols and higher property taxes, in favour of condos. city and regional levels. It’ll be hard work, but definitely housing is at the forefront of our planning and devel- Condos have become an unregulated, underground worth the effort if it helps families get into homes. opment for the LRT corridor. layer of rental units – as much as 25% of rental units We have the tools, but it will take all levels of gov- I strongly believe that Canadian families should not in Mississauga are condos. A balanced housing mar- ernment working together to make affordable hous- be putting more than one-third of their income towards ket has a rental vacancy rate of 3% - Mississauga sits ing in Peel a reality. I will do everything I can – and housing. The fact that so many pay over one-third of at 1.6%. Developers need some financial incentive to encourage others to do the same – to give Peel fami- their income, and often much more, is something that build rental properties again. lies safe, clean and comfortable homes. needs to be addressed by all levels of government. Another valuable source of affordable housing is It will take many tools to fix this problem -- job second units or basement apartments. They give ten- Carolyn Parrish is Councillor for Ward 5 which includes creation and a further increase in the minimum wage ants more affordable options, while providing home- Malton. She was a Member of Parliament from 1993 to from senior levels of government, plus increasing owners with a source of income to pay their mort- 2006, which included two years working closely with Canada the stock of affordable housing which is under mu- gages. Recently, Mississauga has reduced the costly Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Other tasks involved nicipal jurisdiction. regulations and licenses needed to legalize basement NATO, studying Palestinian refugees, monitoring elections in Since being elected to council in 2014, I’ve asked apartments and the Region of Peel is designing a for- Palestine, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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 – March-April, 2017

TELLING IT LIKE IT ISI Ontario childcare is the most costly in Canada

The article below is a letter to the and preschoolers $1,150 a month.” elementary school allows families with pre-school and Consultation on Early Years and http://www.childcareontario.org/annual_fee_ school-age children to bring their children to adjacent Child Care Strategy from Brampton study_2016 facilities; a shared entrance can connect the two fa- resident Rosemary Keenan, sent cilities. on behalf of Peel Poverty Action Childcare should be government-subsidized so Childcare can be provided in a private home, in a Group. Ontario’s Ministry of that parents pay no more than $20 per day. Subsidized faith-based facility, in a community centre, or linked Education will publish notes on childcare is an excellent poverty-reduction strategy. with a college where ECE programs are offered. Rosemary Keenan the consultation next winter, as it Subsidized childcare in Quebec allows parents to find What about establishing childcare centres adjacent to develops the Renewed Early Years good jobs, earn a decent wage, and to afford the things seniors’ homes, so old folk can enjoy the little ones? and Child Care Policy Framework and Expansion Strategy. they need. At a salary of $50,545 or less, a Quebec Staff in childcare centres should be trained early parent pays $8.25 per day for childcare. With a salary childhood educators (ECE) with a ratio of adults to of $75,820 you pay $13.15 per day. If your salary is children as specified in the Day Nurseries Act. BY ROSEMARY KEENAN $158,820, your childcare fee is $20.70 per day. It’s easy For children up to 18 months, three adults are re- he cost of living in 2017 is such that for most to see how this system is a winwin for all concerned. quired for every 10 children. families both parents must work to make ends When parents are paid a decent salary, that generates For 18 - 30 months of age the ratio is one adult for T meet. The high cost of childcare limits parents’ the taxes needed to support public services such as every five children, with 15 being the maximum group ability to save and get ahead financially. Single parents child care. That decent salary also gives parents buy- size. Children aged 30 months to five years old are face an even greater struggle. Childcare should be ing power. When families are able to purchase what required to have one adult per eight children with no government-subsidized. they need, the local economy thrives. group larger than 16. For special needs children the The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care http://www.budget.finances.gouv.qc.ca/budget/ ratios of adults to children are higher. A good quality points out that Ontario’s childcare fees are the highest outils/garde_en.asp daycare provides a nurturing, child-centred experience in Canada: with a wealth of opportunities for play-based learn- “An annual study of Canadian child care fees from There are a variety of great ways to provide top ing, and recognition and support for diverse cultures the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) quality child care, but many more daycare spaces are and needs. shows that, for the third year in a row, Ontario has the needed. We need to keep searching for opportunities It’s challenging, and can be stressful, transporting highest child care fees in the country – pointing to an to establish safe, accessible, affordable daycare spaces your child to and from daycare every day, no matter affordability crisis for parents. in our communities. the weather. The childcare experience should be de- “The highest fees in the country are in Toronto Employers should be encouraged to provide signed to be as happy and stress-free as possible, for and eight of the most expensive cities are here in workplace childcare. A childcare centre for 0 – 4 year- parents and for children. Ontario – with Kitchener, Vaughan, Markham, olds should be in a safe, accessible, home-like setting Ottawa, Mississauga, London and Brampton among with age-appropriate furniture, play spaces and equip- Rosemary Keenan is a retired school principal who ran for the most expensive. In Toronto the average fees for ment. A school setting is inadequate for early years MP in Brampton Centre in the 2015 federal election. She is a infants are $1,649 a month, toddlers $1,375 a month, care. However, a childcare centre attached to the local New Democrat. Hepatitis C CANDIDATE Treatment, Care & Support Is Available WANTED You can be at risk if: Sharing of personal care and hygiene items such as razors, for the Ontario election toothbrushes, clippers and scissors with someone living with June, 2018 hepatitis C Sharing needles used for body tattoos and piercings. Re-using and sharing tattoo ink and ink pots A person who is outgoing, involved in social issues, energetic, ethical Receive blood and body organs that have not been screened for hepatitis C. Even in Canada, if you received blood and organ donations before 1990 you may be at risk. Email Involved in medical procedures including immunization in hepatitis C endemic countries [email protected] Contact: Bloom Clinic Apply by April 15, 2017 40 Finchgate Blvd. Suite 224 to book a free test. Brampton, ON L6T 3J1 Brampton Centre Phone: 905-451-6959 | [email protected] New Democrats Tough Times – March-April, 2017 5 Is 2017 the year for housing action in Peel? BY MICHELLE BILEK plans? How much more consulting ousing is considered to be and PLANS do we need? Plans don’t affordable when a house- help a woman who was living in a Peel H hold spends less than 30% Living building in complete disrepair of its pre-tax income on adequate or another trying to avoid eviction shelter. Households that spend more from her Mississauga apartment, or the than 30% of their income on shelter thousands of individuals or families on are deemed to be in Need of Core the waiting list for years. Affordable Housing. Those who Action may be the key to 2017. spend 50% or more on shelter are in Being a local resident, long time Severe Housing Need. advocate and activist for affordable The Canadian Mortgage and housing and homelessness, I have Housing Corporation (CMHC) report- seen some progress in Peel. We now ed in 2010 that more than one in four have mayors and councillors taking Canadian households live in core hous- affordable housing seriously, who ing need, and one in 10 are in severe Michelle Bilek with Charlie Angus who is in the running to become leader of Canada’s are willing to take innovative and housing need. New Democratic Party. (Tough Times photo) progressive steps. In addition to the affordability We can increase the supply of standard of 30%, the CMHC has also To this day, Canada remains the Households in crisis, from evictions, housing by: reviewing, amending, and developed standards for the state of only country in the industrialized world unsafe buildings, individuals with phys- utilizing legislative measures, including repair and size of dwelling for the num- without a national housing strategy. But ical and mental problems, are a priority bylaws; improve the use and supply ber in the family. don’t despair. In November last year, for housing, so others on the waiting list, of regional buildings and properties; The terms affordable housing and the federal government published What such as working, and single people, have fast track development and construc- social housing are often confused. We Heard: Shaping Canada’s National very little hope in being placed in subsi- tion permits for affordable housing Social housing is subsidized by the gov- Housing Strategy, a report on nation- dized housing in a reasonable time. projects; use development charges, ernment, and is also affordable housing, wide consultations, and a Strategy is Peel Region is investing in new taxing, grants, and other incentives to as is housing provided by the private, promised for “early 2017.” properties and programs. But pri- encourage landlords and property de- public, and not-for-profit sector, in- According to the Advocacy Centre vate landlords hesitate to participate velopers; make secondary units more cluding rentals, ownership, co-operative for Tenants Ontario, “Between 1985 in rent supplement programs, while attractive by providing tax incentives ownership, temporary and permanent and 1989, the federal government few developers build rental properties and alternative development stan- housing. Affordable housing includes helped fund almost 6000 units of af- or provide subsidized units in new dards; maintain existing housing stock everything from temporary emergency fordable housing in Ontario per year. If builds. Meanwhile, the current hous- through clean technology, renovations shelters through transitional housing, our federal government had continued ing stock is aging, with increasing for accessibility. supportive housing, subsidized hous- funding affordable housing at this rate, maintenance costs. We need to ensure that development ing, market rental housing, and market we would have some additional 115,000 Peel’s Housing and Homelessness remains a mix of subsidized and market home ownership. affordable housing units in Ontario. Plan, “A Community Strategy” 2014- rent homes, accessible to transporta- Safe and affordable housing is not In Peel, The transfer of responsi- 2024 outlines some “strategic and sup- tion, shopping, community centres, and just a necessity; it is also a human right bilities for Affordable Housing to our portive actions”. But many of these ac- schools. guaranteed under Article 25 of the regional government happened in two tions and “community ideas” read like Another PLAN, another docu- United Nations Universal Declaration stages. First, creation of Peel Housing a brainstorming session, not a plan with ment, another presentation to council, of Human Rights, which reads: Corporation, which includes the mu- time frame and probable costs. and another committee won’t suffice. “Everyone has the right to a stan- nicipal non-profit housing provider, Is this why we have so many doc- Legislative policy changes and action -- dard of living adequate for the health Peel Living. The second stage was the uments, committees and strategic and quickly, is essential. Bring on 2017. and well being of himself and of his full transfer of responsibilities to the family, including food, clothing, hous- Region of Peel. This includes admin- ing and medical care and necessary so- istration of social housing co-opera- cial services...” tives, community non-profits, federal Housing enables people to build housing projects, and the Peel Living NORTH PEEL & DUFFERIN healthy and productive lives and create properties. Also, the administration Community Legal Services stable communities. Unfortunately in and management of all waiting lists, g Free legal services for low income residents of Brampton, Canada, cancellation of social housing rent-geared-to-income applicants, and Caledon and Dufferin County by the Mulroney Conservatives in 1993 rent supplement programs became a has limited affordable housing, exacer- Peel Region responsibility. g Problems with your landlord? bated in Ontario when the Mike Harris As a social housing service manager, g Is your rent subsidy threatened? Tories cancelled 17,000 units of co-op the Region has a significant impact on g Was your application for Ontario Disability Support Program and non-profit housing just days after the way social housing in Peel operates. being elected in 1995. Downloading so- The demand for affordable housing is benefits denied? cial services to the municipalities in the increasing, with waits up to 12 years, and g Problems with Ontario Works? early 2000s further affected the building fewer than 7% of people on the waiting and maintenance of affordable housing. list placed in subsidized housing each year. 905-455-0160 Toll Free from Dufferin 1-866-455-0160 [email protected] 6 Tough Times –- March-April,March-April, 20172017 ToughTough Times Times –- March-April, 2017 7

The swimming Growing your own food – pool at a new ErinoakKids Centre in Brampton will right there in the warehouse be accessible to youngsters with disabilities. AQUAGROW FARMS PLANTS AND HARVESTS (Photo supplied) PRODUCE FOR MISSISSAUGA FOOD BANK

BY EMILY WILES growing bed, the roots of the plants act as a filter to clean the water. veryone wants to feed their families the Once the water has been cleaned, it is pumped healthiest food possible, but buying nutri- back into the fish tank. From here, the cycle starts ErinoakKids to open new E tional foods can be expensive and difficult all over again. on a limited budget. Like most aquaponic farms, AquaGrow Farms The Mississauga Food Bank, which distributes raises tilapia. This breed of fish is strong, can adapt treatment centres for food to several food banks in Mississauga as well as to a variety of environments, and tastes great. supplying hungry people direct, finds that demand The fish stock comes from an aquaculture farm in for fresh food is increasing. London, Ontario, as two-inch ‘fingerlings’. children with disabilities So they’ve got creative to meet this growing de- AquaGrow Farms is currently raising both sil- BY LEA SALAMEH who are medically fragile/technology de- mand -- they built an indoor aquaponics farm to ver/grey and black tilapia. (Aside from their colour, ater this year, or early in 2018, pendent, have complex care requirements provide fresh food year-round. there are no major differences). The fish are fed a ErinoakKids, the largest children’s or autism. A range of services from day to AquaGrow Farms will produce about 600 serv- high-quality diet for about six months to grow them L treatment centre in Ontario, will unveil overnight stays, and for the first time, the op- ings of fish and 11,000 servings of fresh greens large and strong. When they reach full size, the fish three new facilities in Peel and Halton Regions portunity for 24/7 service. Specially-trained this year. are harvested, processed, packaged, frozen and dis- to meet the growing demand for services for staff, nurses and program assistants will care tributed to food banks throughout The Mississauga kids with disabilities and special needs. for children, providing a period of caregiving Food Bank network. “Through our partnerships and outstand- relief for parents. All the veggies that AquaGrow Farms produc- ing staff, ErinoakKids makes a profound dif- ErinoakKids’ Mississauga site, at es is grown from seeds, which reduces the chanc- ference in the lives of thousands of children 1230 Central Parkway West just south of es of introducing pests or disease into the system. and their families each year,” said ErinoakKids Burnhamthorpe Road, is on six acres, adja- The seeds are planted in a sponge-like fibre called President and CEO Bridget Fewtrell. “With cent to residential and commercial properties, ‘rockwool’, made of melted rock, a substance our much-needed Redevelopment Project, just steps away from public transit including is that absorbs water and can be compost- our vision is to create purpose-built, nurtur- Erindale GO station, and less than a kilo- ed when no longer needed. ing spaces sowe can serve even more children metre from Riverwood Conservancy. This To date, AquaGrow Farms has and youth, better and faster.” location will serve about 4,000 clients and grown three different types of lettuce: The new sites, one each in Brampton, will include fully accessible playgrounds for romaine and two types of buttercrunch. Mississauga and Oakville, will replace various therapies, an adapted fitness facility, Lettuce is one of the few types of greens ErinoakKids’ existing 11 locations which are two gyms for physiotherapy, group therapy where the entire plant can be harvested, so outgrown and outdated, and bring therapy, and recreation therapy, serenity gardens. there is no waste. medical and support services under one roof. The cost of design and construction for The current growing cycle is to harvest fresh Among the services: speech language therapy, the project is $163 million, provided by the produce weekly and distribute it immediately to cli- infant hearing services, physiotherapy, autism Ministry of Children and Youth Services. ent food banks. service and much more. The Ministry is also supporting land acqui- The Mississauga Food Bank plans to experiment “The kids and families we are honored to sition, project planning and overall project by growing other leafy greens including spinach, serve will now be able to access a complete management. Farm in a warehouse The farm project is also making the public aware bok choy which is a Chinese lettuce, and kale. It range of treatments at our new sites,” said ErinoakKids is raising $20 million for crit- of the lack of agricultural land in Mississauga. may also be possible to grow tomatoes and straw- Board Chair James Sutherland. “This devel- ical programs and therapy equipment as part Aquaponics is a form of urban farming that berries. opment represents the culmination of years of its In My Dreams fundraising campaign. combines aquaculture (fish-farming) and hydro- Want to learn more? AquaGrow Farms and The of effort by ErinoakKids leadership and local To learn more about ErinoakKids ponics (soil-less agriculture). It uses only 5% of the Mississauga Food Bank host interactive, education- MPPs, in co-operation and collaboration with Redevelopment Project, visit Erinoakkids.ca water required for traditional agriculture. Also, the al tours on the third Wednesday of every month at various levels of government.” ErinoakKids is Ontario’s largest children’s Chris Hatch, executive director of The Mississauga Food LED growing lights in the farm use 70% less elec- 6 p.m. There are also opportunities to volunteer as a At approximately 122,000 sq. ft., the treatment centre, serving more than 15,000 Bank, with produce tricity than traditional grow lamps. Farm Assistant. Phone 905-270-5589 x231 Brampton/Caledon site will be ErinoakKids’ children and youth annually with physical and The farm fits comfortably in a corner of the The Mississauga Food Bank provides food for largest centre, serving about 6,400 children developmental disabilities, communication food bank’s warehouse with its two fish tanks and over 198,000 meals each month. Nearly half of all and youth. Located at the intersection of disorders, autism, blindness/low vision and three vegetable growing beds. the food it distributes is fruit, vegetables, meat and McVean Drive and Castlemore Road, the hearing loss. The whole ‘growing-cycle’ starts with the fish. dairy products. If you or someone you know needs building is on an eight-acre parcel of land They are fed a high quality diet and produce waste food, go to https://www.themississaugafoodbank. surrounded by a forested area, offering op- Léa Salameh is a student in Sheridan College’s that contains nutrients. A biological process breaks org/getfood/ portunities for outdoor treatment sessions Public Relations and Corporate Communications this waste down and converts it into nitrates. The and activities. Brampton’s site will house post-grad program and a communications intern at nitrate-rich water is gravity-fed into the growing Emily Wiles is Marketing and Online Giving Coordinator Ontario’s largest respite centre for children ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development. beds and acts as a fertilizer for the plants. In the for The Mississauga Food Bank 8 Tough Times – March-April, 2017

TELLING IT LIKE IT ISI You can’t exit poverty on OW or ODSP BY EDNA TOTH Care for Caregivers eel Poverty Action Group PPAG also sent Minister Sousa a letter: (PPAG) told Ontario P Finance Minister Charles Sousa (who is also the MPP for Dear Minister Sousa, Mississauga South) that human beings can’t live on current wel- PPAG asks that people caring for sick relatives be recom- fare allowances. pensed for their work. We are particularly concerned for Edna Toth Attending an invitation-only meeting at Mississauga’s Living the welfare of people who enable relatives with ailments Arts Centre, this is what PPAG told Sousa, Minister for such as Alzheimer’s to remain in their own homes as Seniors Dipika Damerla, business people, social service workers and others: long as possible, rather than assign the elderly to nursing Peel Poverty Action Group is an organization of homes, often at public expense. cash-poor people, those who try to serve them, and other We know of daughters (and there may be sons too, sim- supporters. It tries to present the views of people who are struggling, to win a better deal for them. ilarly motivated) who have quit their jobs to provide es- Our major concern at this time is that allowances from sential care to afflicted relatives. But it appears that when Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support, in fact most these caregivers seek assistance through OW or other wel- welfare allowances, are impossible to live on. Allowances fare systems, rules kick in refusing help until they have for rent should be immediately increased. Shelters are inadequate and many people in distress exhausted their savings and RRSPs, sold any car they own, won’t use them, complaining of violence, theft, and other and may not invest in RESPs for their own children. They problems. This is not to take away from the dedicated must be close to destitute before help is available. service provided by shelter operators, but to draw atten- tion to the problems that arise basically from inadequate Yet these caregivers are reducing the financial demands funding for shelters and for individuals. on the Ministry of Health (in the top three in the size of its Peel Poverty Action Group is not funded by any level call on the provincial budget) to provide nursing and resi- of government. We talk to people who are cash-poor. They are in many cases homeless, not dressed for a dential care to elderly people, who in many cases would be Canadian winter, eating at soup kitchens – and please happier and at least as well cared for by their own relatives note there is no soup kitchen in Mississauga – they are in their own homes. suffering. Studies are being undertaken by municipal govern- Peel Poverty Action Group asks that the Minister of ments and organizations with paid staff. Peel Poverty Finance encourage the appropriate ministries to include Action Group does not back up its assertions with The in their 2017 budget requests an item for recompense to Figures. We meet people every day who may not survive caregivers of elderly relatives. should this winter provide a cold snap. We urge better allowances for those on welfare in its various guises. And soon. Before the temperature drops. Edna Toth is editor of Tough Times

A proud Canadian Union representing over 5,000 workers and over 1,500 retirees.

Promoting community spirit is a commitment Local 1285 we take seriously! Tough Times – March-April, 2017 9 ToughTomes NEWCOMERS LIBRARYI BY LAURA BILYEA, Librarian Central Library, Mississauga Welcome to Canada! Welcome, new immigrant, to the red-and- white land of socialized healthcare, public ed- ucation and government-funded social agen- cies, all waiting to help you feel at home. But where to start?

Have you just arrived? Try a settlement agency—there are over 40 to choose from in the Peel Region alone. Your local library can help you find one close to where you live. Settlement agencies can help you with information on housing, personal identification cards, even learning what clothing you’ll need to make it through our varied seasons.

Is there information to find on my own? Absolutely. The Ontario government has a website set up for new immigrants. http://www.ontarioimmigra- tion.ca/en/index.htm The City of Mississauga does, too. http://www. mississauga.ca/portal/residents/newcomers And there are books you can read at your local li- brary that can help you prepare for life in Canada. We also have books and films in 25 different languages and as well as kits to help you improve your English skills. Drop in, and we’ll help get you on your way! to help explain and illustrate the positive results of Canadian Geographic 365 Tips for Newcomers : working within these general guidelines. Canada for Kids: Your First Year in Canada 1000 Awesome Facts Nick Noorani Newcomer’s Guide to Aaron Kylie This book provides 365 tips Canada: Information to In this patriotic celebration for your first year in Canada Help Newcomers Before of Canada’s superlatives, on everything from finding and After Arrival complete with 300 color pho- a doctor, to opening a bank Barbara Dixon tographs, kids are presented account, to searching for the The Newcomer’s Guide to with thousands of unique right schools for your chil- Canada is a practical resource facts, figures and feats that dren, to buying real estate. A to help immigrants and refu- make the country unique. guide on how to make your gees succeed in Canada and first year a success that will the Canadian workplace. It ABC of Canada establish you in Canada sustainably for the rest of contains chapters on: Pre- Kim Bellefontaine your life. Arrival, Coping with Culture From Arctic to Zamboni, Shock, Settlement, Finding a Job, Cultural Differences kids can follow the alpha- You’re Hired – Now and Canadian Workplace Culture. It has Pre-Arrival, bet on a colorful tour across What? : PTSD Symptoms, Rental and Settlement checklists. Canada. On their journey, An Immigrant’s Guide to Worksheets on professional transferable skills, taking they’ll visit Canadian land- Success in the Canadian initiative and taking ownership are included. Sample marks, including Jasper Workplace cover letters, resumes and interview questions and National Park and Peggy’s Lynda Goldman answers are provided. The Newcomer’s Guide is a re- Cove. They’ll also meet You’re Hired...Now What? source for immigrants, refugees, settlement workers, friendly characters enjoying Canadian pastimes, such will give people from dif- HR professionals and managers. as riding in the Calgary Stampede, playing hockey and ferent countries and back- watching the Northern Lights. Vivid illustrations and grounds an understanding Adults are not the only immigrants. Children simple language guarantee that even the youngest of Canadian workplace culture and norms. The ma- need to learn more about their new country, traveler will enjoy this trip! terial is presented as a general guide to adapting to too, and these books can help: a professional environment and explains common best-practice procedures at work. Examples are given See you at the library! 10 Tough Times – March-April, 2017 Tough Times – March-April, 2017 11 TELLING IT LIKE IT ISI Homelessness is solvable – with your help and spending over 50% of their income According to the State of Homelessness once, from homelessness to the rising BY MICHELLE BILEK on housing). And the crisis may get worse in Canada: 2016, it would take an addi- cost of home ownership, would be anada has a homelessness crisis. as federal operating agreements for older tional $50 per Canadian per year – less wonderful. It is absolutely the right ob- Tonight 35,000 Canadians will social housing expire and over 300,000 than $1 per Canadian per week – in new jective, but the sheer scale of the chal- C sleep in shelters, on the street more households may lose their housing. affordable housing investment to end lenge requires us to prioritize. or in unsuitable housing. Over 235,000 homelessness. Pick up the phone and tell your MP people will experience homelessness at A matter of life and death that you want ending homelessness to some point during the year. This has for too many Homelessness is solvable be a top priority in the new National not always been the case. We believe all Canadians deserve safe, A number of Canadian cities including Housing Strategy. decent and affordable housing, but Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red The rise of homelessness in Canada for some, the lack of housing is a Deer and Medicine Hat are showing Caledon Homelessness on the scale we see matter of life and death. The longer that with a focused effort homelessness David Tilson, 905-857-6080; it today has not always existed. The people are homeless, the worse their can be reduced. Hamilton, Ontario – a Brampton rise of modern mass homelessness in health becomes. Not having a home part of our 20,000 Homes Campaign – Raj Grewal, 905-458-1474; Canada began in the 1980s and is the can be lethal. Homelessness causes has reduced chronic homelessness 35% Kamal Khera, 905-454-4758; direct result of federal withdrawal from premature death, poor health and is a in just one year. There’s every reason to Ruby Sahota, 905-840-0505; affordable housing investment and cuts significant burden on our health-care believe that success like this is achiev- Ramesh Sangha, 905-790-9211; to social services. system. A recent report from British able on a national scale. Sonia Sidhu, 905-846-0076; In the last 20 years, as Canada’s pop- Columbia suggests life expectancy What’s needed is the Government Mississauga ulation grew over 30%, federal funding for people experiencing homelessness of Canada to take urgent and imme- , 905-848-8595; for affordable housing has dropped in that province is half that of other diate action on housing with a focused Navdeep Bains, 905-564-0228; more than 46%. This has meant at least British Columbians. effort on ending homelessness. Peter Fonseca, 905 566-0009; 100,000 units of affordable housing Iqra Khalid, 905-820-8814; were not built. Today over 1.5 million Cheaper to fix than ignore We need your help! Gagan Sikand, 905-812-1811; Canadian households live in housing Fixing homelessness will be much The government is currently finalizing Sven Spengemann, 905-273-8033. need, over 750,000 households live in cheaper than ignoring it. Homelessness its National Housing Strategy. Solving extreme housing need (living in poverty costs Canadians over $7 billion a year. all of Canada’s housing problems at Michelle Bilek is an activist in Peel Region

JOIN THE CHANGING WATCH Feeling sad, worried about something? OVER PEEL POLICING JUST DROP IN HERE FOR HELP nxiety, depression, family vided in different languages, with inter- Want to know what Peel police are doing? pressures, parenting, poverty, preters if needed. Check the Peel Police Services Board new and improved website at A job loss, separation, divorce, https://www.peelpoliceboard.ca unhealthy relationships, trauma… life’s Where to get help: challenges can be overwhelming and it In Brampton: The Board is the seven-civilian body responsible for ensuring that Peel happens to everyone. But not everyone 60 West Drive, Suite 201 has effective police services, law enforcement and crime prevention, which it knows where to turn for help. Every Thursday from 12 p.m.-7:30 p.m. does by setting policies for policing, hiring the Police Chief and deputies for In 2014, 23% of Canadians aged 15 In Mississauga: Mississauga and Brampton, and working with Ontario Provincial Police to and older (6.7 million people) report- 10 Kingsbridge Garden Circle, Suite 400 provide service to Caledon. ed that most days were ‘quite a bit’ or Every Tuesday from 12:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The Board feels that the public needs to know more about policing, what ‘extremely stressful’ (Statistics Canada, For more information phone 905-450-1608 policing does, how it works, and how to disagree. 2014). First step is a redesigned website that’s easy to navigate and contains es- A walk-in clinic at Catholic Family Based on CFSPD’s evaluation report sential information, from how to become a police officer (Step One: go to Services of Peel-Dufferin (CFSPD) is a for 2014-2015, the 1,347 surveys com- place to get help and support. pleted by walk-in attendees revealed: Peel Police website), how to make a public presentation at a Police Services It is open once a week in Mississauga • 70.4% of participants experienced an Board meeting (give 10 days notice and an outline of what you want to say), and in Brampton, providing free coun- increase in hope to accessing reports from police on topics ranging from domestic violence to selling, no appointment needed. • 93.0% of people agreed that the agen- the police budget, to use of force. Families may use three walk-in ses- cy served them in a manner sensitive Or you can track Police Services Board news items back to 2002. sions for free, and after that a fee is to their culture, background or other Next meeting of Peel Police Services Board takes place Friday, March assessed based on income. No-one is life circumstance 24, at 9.30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Peel Region HQ, 10 Peel Centre denied help if they can’t pay. • 95.2% reported that they would recom- Drive, Brampton. Child-minding is free, so that par- mend the Counselling Service to others Want to know what’s going on? ents can access counselling while their • 96.5% said that the Walk-In program children play. helped them access other needed ser- You can attend -- or watch it live on Rogers TV. Walk-in counselling can also be pro- vices File your taxes.Get your benefits.

Filing your income taxes is an easy way to get the benefits you and your family deserve. And there’s help. Make an appointment to attend a tax preparation clinic offered by the Region of Peel and the Halton Peel Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Ontario Association.Times and dates are shown below. Make your appointment today. You can also visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at cra-arc.gc.ca. to find out about other free tax preparation services being offered near you.

Free tax Preparation Services are for individuals with incomes up to $30,000 or families with income up to $40,000.

Make an appointment to file your taxes and get your benefits

Tax preparation assistance will be offered by volunteers from the CPA of Ontario on Saturdays from March 4 to April 29 (No service provided over the Easter weekend). We will tell you what documents you need to bring when you book your appointment.

Dates and Time Locations Saturday, March 4 Region of Peel Human Services, N 10 Peel Centre Dr., Suite B, Brampton Queen St. Saturday, March 18 Visitor Parking P 10 Peel Centre Dr. Saturday, April 1 Advance sign-up required in person or by calling 905-793-9200, ext. 8203 . Bramalea . 410 City Centre HWY Dixie Rd. Saturday, April 29 March 4, March 18, and April 1: Tax returns for 2015 and 2016 only. Central Park Dr Knightsbridge Rd. April 29: Tax returns for 2006 to 2014 only. Clarke Blvd. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Steeles Ave.

Steeles Ave. W. Saturday, March 11 Region of Peel Human Services Saturday, March 25 7120 Hurontario St., Mississauga HWY. 407 Saturday, April 8 Advance sign-up required in person or by calling 905-793-9200, ext. 8427 N

ontario St.

McLaughlin Rd.

Hur

Kennedy Rd. March 11 and March 25: Tax returns for 2015 and 2016 only. . 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8: Tax returns for 2006 to 2014 only. Kingsway Dr. Derrycrest Dr Derry Rd.

N

Hurontario St e. E. Saturday, April 22 Peel Youth Village Sorrento Dr Eglinton Av 99 Acorn Place, Mississauga . 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Elia Ave. Advance sign-up required. Call 905-791-5576, ext. 0 . Acorn Pl. April 22: Tax returns for 2015 and 2016 only. 403

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