Social Planning

Social Planning helps the community identify strengths and challenges and determine ways to improve the quality of life for residents in Halton.

Community Dispatch

Vol. 24, #4 – We’ve Made Some Progress in Reducing Poverty: We Can’t Stop Now

Jul 29, 2019

The evidence is in and it’s overwhelming. The cost of allowing poverty and social exclusion to continue far outweighs the costs of reducing or eliminating it. But ending poverty not only makes good economic sense, it is essential to meeting basic human rights.

Vol. 24, #3 – Ontario Budget 2019: It Doesn’t Need to Be This Way

Jun 4, 2019

As I move throughout Halton’s community of social and health agencies, I am aware of the anxiety and sense of vulnerability enveloping the sector. I feel the immense weight on the shoulders of my colleagues as they contemplate increasing need for services from a diverse and growing population combined with deep cuts to the service provided by their agency. They know that people will suffer. This Community Dispatch shares David Thornley’s thoughts on how this budget doesn’t have to be this way. David is a colleague who has worked extensively in both government and the nonprofit sector and is a policy advisor to the Social Planning Network of Ontario.

Vol. 24, #2 – Amalgamation and The Death of Local Democracy

Apr 9, 2019

The participation and engagement of citizens determine the vitality and efficacy of democratic practices. The regional government review presently underway only pays lip service to consultation. Citizens have no time to study, reflect, and be heard. I thought it important to share Community Development Halton’s perspective as represented by CDH’s colleague Peter Clutterbuck in an opinion piece published this March by the Hamilton Spectator. Peter Clutterbuck is senior community planner with the Social Planning Network of Ontario.

Vol. 24, #1 – Volunteering: Crucial for Personal and Community Growth

Sep 11, 2018

Volunteering has been a valuable and effective method for Canadians to effect social change for many generations. What began as a way of sharing knowledge and helping each other survive has evolved into an organized method of mobilizing incredible amounts of energy and knowledge for the common good. Volunteers are a vital component of our social structure.

Vol. 23, #5 – Pharmacare: Building the Social Safety Net

Jun 10, 2018

In May 2018, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health released its report: ‘Pharmacare Now: Prescription Medicine Coverage for All Canadians’. This report details the current state of pharmacare in Canada and culminates in a list of 18 recommendations on how to develop a single-payer, universal pharmacare program. This means that one public plan would provide free prescription medication to Canadians.

Vol. 23, #3 – Pre-Budget Submission to The Government of Ontario: Contributing to Well-Being

Feb 8, 2018

February 2018 Community Development Halton as a member organization of the Social Planning Network of Ontario (SPNO) supports the following policy and budgetary recommendations made at an Ontario Pre-Budget consultation on January 29, 2018. I share these with you as...

Vol. 23, #2 – Response to Income Security: A Roadmap For Change

Jan 12, 2018

January 2018 A new report, Income Security: A Roadmap for Change, recommends comprehensive changes to Ontario’s income security programs, Ontario Works, and the Ontario Disability Support Program. Many of you receiving this Community Dispatch work with people who are...

Vol. 23, #1 – Volunteers: Builders of Inclusive and Vibrant Communities

Dec 13, 2017

December 2017 In September, Community Development Halton held its Annual General Meeting, with speaker Henriëtte Thompson on the theme of “Volunteers: Builders of Inclusive and Vibrant Communities.” As former Director of Public Witness for Social and Ecological...

Vol. 22, #3 – One Generation of Youth Will Change The World

May 16, 2017

May 2017 Volunteer Halton of Community Development Halton hosted its annual awards breakfast to celebrate the start of National Volunteer Week (April 23-29), as well as to recognize and give thanks to our community volunteers for all their time and efforts dedicated...

Vol. 22, #2 – Ontario Basic Income Pilot

Apr 27, 2017

April 2017 The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services announced that the Province of Ontario will pilot a Basic Income Program in three areas: Hamilton, Brantford, Brant County; Thunder Bay and surrounding area; and Lindsay. They state that “the purpose of...

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