Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

No violence statistics, no policy

Jul 132013
 
 Canadian politics

OTTAWA— Progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“The difficulty of collecting data about violence against women has been a barrier to progress in ending that violence,” says the study’s author Kate McInturff. “However, the data that does exist tells us three things very clearly: this problem is big, it comes at a high cost, and we are making little or no progress in putting a stop to it.”

The study estimates the combined cost of adult sexual assault and intimate partner violence is $334 per person per year in Canada. This puts the cost of these crimes on par with the cost of the use of illegal drugs in Canada (an estimated $262 per person) or the cost of smoking (an estimated $541 per person). Federal public spending to address violence against women, on the other hand, amounted to $2.77 per person for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

“We can put an end to violence against women. Federal and provincial governments have an important role to play in doing so,” says McInturff. “In order to be more effective, we need more information about the nature and scope of the problem, a coherent and coordinated plan to address the problem, and adequate political, financial, and human resources put behind that plan.”

The study makes several recommendations on how to improve the situation, including: the implementation of regular, sensitive, detailed surveys of incidence of sexual assault and intimate partner violence; and a coherent, coordinated, well-resourced national action plan to address violence against women.

“This problem affects too many Canadians and comes with too great a personal and public cost for Canada to continue on its current path. Without a significant investment of political, financial, and human resources, we will see levels of violence against women continue to remain at the current level. Canada can do better. Millions of Canadians and billions of dollars depend on it,” McInturff concludes.

–30–

The Gap in the Gender Gap: Violence Against Women in Canada is available on the CCPA website at http://policyalternatives.ca

– See more at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/canada-lacks-coherent-response-end-violence-against-women-study#sthash.31vUJJYa.dpuf

OTTAWA— Progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“The difficulty of collecting data about violence against women has been a barrier to progress in ending that violence,” says the study’s author Kate McInturff. “However, the data that does exist tells us three things very clearly: this problem is big, it comes at a high cost, and we are making little or no progress in putting a stop to it.”

The study estimates the combined cost of adult sexual assault and intimate partner violence is $334 per person per year in Canada. This puts the cost of these crimes on par with the cost of the use of illegal drugs in Canada (an estimated $262 per person) or the cost of smoking (an estimated $541 per person). Federal public spending to address violence against women, on the other hand, amounted to $2.77 per person for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

“We can put an end to violence against women. Federal and provincial governments have an important role to play in doing so,” says McInturff. “In order to be more effective, we need more information about the nature and scope of the problem, a coherent and coordinated plan to address the problem, and adequate political, financial, and human resources put behind that plan.”

The study makes several recommendations on how to improve the situation, including: the implementation of regular, sensitive, detailed surveys of incidence of sexual assault and intimate partner violence; and a coherent, coordinated, well-resourced national action plan to address violence against women.

“This problem affects too many Canadians and comes with too great a personal and public cost for Canada to continue on its current path. Without a significant investment of political, financial, and human resources, we will see levels of violence against women continue to remain at the current level. Canada can do better. Millions of Canadians and billions of dollars depend on it,” McInturff concludes.

–30–

The Gap in the Gender Gap: Violence Against Women in Canada is available on the CCPA website at http://policyalternatives.ca

– See more at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/canada-lacks-coherent-response-end-violence-against-women-study#sthash.31vUJJYa.dpuf

OTTAWA— Progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“The difficulty of collecting data about violence against women has been a barrier to progress in ending that violence,” says the study’s author Kate McInturff. “However, the data that does exist tells us three things very clearly: this problem is big, it comes at a high cost, and we are making little or no progress in putting a stop to it.”

The study estimates the combined cost of adult sexual assault and intimate partner violence is $334 per person per year in Canada. This puts the cost of these crimes on par with the cost of the use of illegal drugs in Canada (an estimated $262 per person) or the cost of smoking (an estimated $541 per person). Federal public spending to address violence against women, on the other hand, amounted to $2.77 per person for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

“We can put an end to violence against women. Federal and provincial governments have an important role to play in doing so,” says McInturff. “In order to be more effective, we need more information about the nature and scope of the problem, a coherent and coordinated plan to address the problem, and adequate political, financial, and human resources put behind that plan.”

The study makes several recommendations on how to improve the situation, including: the implementation of regular, sensitive, detailed surveys of incidence of sexual assault and intimate partner violence; and a coherent, coordinated, well-resourced national action plan to address violence against women.

“This problem affects too many Canadians and comes with too great a personal and public cost for Canada to continue on its current path. Without a significant investment of political, financial, and human resources, we will see levels of violence against women continue to remain at the current level. Canada can do better. Millions of Canadians and billions of dollars depend on it,” McInturff concludes.

–30–

The Gap in the Gender Gap: Violence Against Women in Canada is available on the CCPA website at http://policyalternatives.ca

– See more at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/canada-lacks-coherent-response-end-violence-against-women-study#sthash.31vUJJYa.dpuf

OTTAWA— Progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“The difficulty of collecting data about violence against women has been a barrier to progress in ending that violence,” says the study’s author Kate McInturff. “However, the data that does exist tells us three things very clearly: this problem is big, it comes at a high cost, and we are making little or no progress in putting a stop to it.”

The study estimates the combined cost of adult sexual assault and intimate partner violence is $334 per person per year in Canada. This puts the cost of these crimes on par with the cost of the use of illegal drugs in Canada (an estimated $262 per person) or the cost of smoking (an estimated $541 per person). Federal public spending to address violence against women, on the other hand, amounted to $2.77 per person for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

“We can put an end to violence against women. Federal and provincial governments have an important role to play in doing so,” says McInturff. “In order to be more effective, we need more information about the nature and scope of the problem, a coherent and coordinated plan to address the problem, and adequate political, financial, and human resources put behind that plan.”

The study makes several recommendations on how to improve the situation, including: the implementation of regular, sensitive, detailed surveys of incidence of sexual assault and intimate partner violence; and a coherent, coordinated, well-resourced national action plan to address violence against women.

“This problem affects too many Canadians and comes with too great a personal and public cost for Canada to continue on its current path. Without a significant investment of political, financial, and human resources, we will see levels of violence against women continue to remain at the current level. Canada can do better. Millions of Canadians and billions of dollars depend on it,” McInturff concludes.

–30–

The Gap in the Gender Gap: Violence Against Women in Canada is available on the CCPA website at http://policyalternatives.ca

– See more at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/canada-lacks-coherent-response-end-violence-against-women-study#sthash.31vUJJYa.dpuf

OTTAWA— Progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“The difficulty of collecting data about violence against women has been a barrier to progress in ending that violence,” says the study’s author Kate McInturff. “However, the data that does exist tells us three things very clearly: this problem is big, it comes at a high cost, and we are making little or no progress in putting a stop to it.”

The study estimates the combined cost of adult sexual assault and intimate partner violence is $334 per person per year in Canada. This puts the cost of these crimes on par with the cost of the use of illegal drugs in Canada (an estimated $262 per person) or the cost of smoking (an estimated $541 per person). Federal public spending to address violence against women, on the other hand, amounted to $2.77 per person for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

“We can put an end to violence against women. Federal and provincial governments have an important role to play in doing so,” says McInturff. “In order to be more effective, we need more information about the nature and scope of the problem, a coherent and coordinated plan to address the problem, and adequate political, financial, and human resources put behind that plan.”

The study makes several recommendations on how to improve the situation, including: the implementation of regular, sensitive, detailed surveys of incidence of sexual assault and intimate partner violence; and a coherent, coordinated, well-resourced national action plan to address violence against women.

“This problem affects too many Canadians and comes with too great a personal and public cost for Canada to continue on its current path. Without a significant investment of political, financial, and human resources, we will see levels of violence against women continue to remain at the current level. Canada can do better. Millions of Canadians and billions of dollars depend on it,” McInturff concludes.

–30–

The Gap in the Gender Gap: Violence Against Women in Canada is available on the CCPA website at http://policyalternatives.ca

– See more at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/canada-lacks-coherent-response-end-violence-against-women-study#sthash.31vUJJYa.dpuf

Canada lacks coherent response to violence against women.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Progress on ending violence against women in Canada is stalled by the absence of a coherent national policy and consistent information about the levels of that violence says a study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

Continue reading »

Reality checks on overspending fears

May 202013
 
 Public Values
BCLeadersDebate

Strong government can help economy thrive.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Iglika Ivanova blogs that while both the Liberals and NDP accused each other of overspending in BC's election campaign, an active government is not inimical to a healthy economy.  In reality, she notes, a government can create the conditions that help business and communities thrive.

Source

What price austerity?

May 092013
 
 Public Values
TrishHennesy

A number is never just a number.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Hennessy's Index, by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives' Trish Hennessy,  provides some revealing numbers about Canada and its place in the world.

Source

Federal cuts focused on frontline jobs

Apr 152013
 
 Public Values
Veterans.

Almost 29,000 jobs gone by 2016.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Despite assurances by the federal government that spending cuts would target the "back office" and avoid cuts to services, a new analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives finds spending cuts have disproportionately focused on service delivery.

Continue reading »

A tale of two telecoms

Feb 142013
 
 News blog
BradWall

"Sask First" sets the ground for privatization, following Manitoba's earlier tactics.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

A recent report by Simon Enoch in behindthenumbers.ca compares the Wall government's "Sask First" policy to the stratagems of the Manitoba government of the mid-1990s: prevent Crown corporations from profitability by forcing them to divest out-of-province assets, discourage them from competing with the private sector for in-province investments and divert profits to general revenue.  Then claim that Crown corporations are inefficient dinosaurs that should be privatized.

Repeat after me: Ontario is not Greece

Feb 132013
 
 News blog
Protesters at the Ontario Liberal Convention.

Unless it follows the Fraser Institute's standard prescription for government financial management.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Trish Hennessy comments in behindthenumbers.ca on a recent Fraser Institute report warning Ontario could become the next Greece because of the size of its debt.  Even the International Monetary Fund, she notes, has admitted that Europe went too far with austerity measures.

 

Tax cuts shifted burden from corporations to households — CCPA

Feb 062013
 
 Public Values
Income tax forms.

Study offers more equitable options.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

The BC government likes to boast that the province has the lowest personal and corporate income taxes in Canada but a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says that's nothing to be proud of.

"A decade-plus of tax cuts has left us in a budget crunch and failed to deliver on promised economic benefits," says Seth Klein, co-author of the study and BC Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.  "In recent years, BC's economic performance, business investment and job creation have all been fairly average in Canada.  What BC's tax policies have delivered, however, is a much less fair system. 

Taxes have been shifted from corporations to households, and from upper-income households to middle and modest-income ones.”

 
Among the study's key findings:
  • If BC collected today the same amount in tax revenues as a share of the economy (GDP) as it did in 2000, there would be $3.5 billion more in public funds; meaning no deficit, and the ability to invest in enhanced or even new public services like early learning and childcare programs for all children.
  • If BC collected the same amount of personal income tax as the average for other provinces, it would have an additional $2.4 billion in revenues.
The study models a series of possible tax reform options that would increase the province's fiscal capacity and spread the tax bill more fairly.  It focuses primarily on personal income taxes, but also considers changes to property taxes, corporate taxes and resource royalties.  The options presented are not meant to be adopted as a whole package, but highlight the range of possibilities and the amount of new revenues that can be raised.
 
If the top six percent of British Columbians paid more income taxes, with an increase to the current top bracket and the creation of two more for incomes over $150,000 and $200,000, $930 million would be raised, in one model.  Budgetary possibilities with that amount could include 2,000 new units of social housing per year, increases to welfare rates and reduction in school class sizes, according to the report.
 
Other options include rolling back corporate income tax cuts to 2005 levels, reducing overly generous corporate tax deductions and increasing government returns from resources, which would raise over $1 billion.
 
The study follows recent CCPA opinion research showing that most British Columbians are ready to consider tax increases.
 
"People are well aware that we face a budget crunch," says co-author Iglika Ivanova, CCPA  economist.  "They understand that without more revenues, we can't sustain key services we rely on like health care, education — let alone address challenges like inequality, poverty, climate change and the affordability crisis in housing and childcare."
 

New trade treaties jeopardize fisheries regulation

Jan 242013
 
 Public Values
Atlantic fishermen.

Could undermine public policies that curb domination by large corporations.

 
from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
 
The proposed Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and other trade and investment treaties threaten the sustainability of fisheries and fishing communities, says a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
 

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A sober second look at liquor store privatization

Dec 212012
 
 Public Values
Ontario's Progressive Conservatives want to privatize the province's liquor stores.

Free market approach can't deal with alcohol abuse.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

A story in the Winnipeg Free Press’s The View from the West (Dec.10, 2012 – Private Ontario liquor stores will benefit consumers) brings the issue of privatizing liquor sales to readers’ attention. Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives plan on privatizing retail liquor sales in Ontario should they take power, and the author is all in favour. He points to the “empirical evidence collected over 20 years in Alberta” and the contention that publically controlling liquor sales is “contrary to economic freedom.”

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British Columbians are willing to pay more taxes

Dec 052012
 
 Public Values
68 percent of British Columbians say they'd pay more taxes to protect the province's forests and wildlife

 But they want the money for new public services.

from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

A recent study commissioned by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives shows that the majority of British Columbians would agree to tax increases to support public programs that better the quality of life.
 
A hefty majority of respondents to the Environics Research poll (78 percent) said people in the top 20 percent of incomes pay less tax that they should, and 63 percent say much less than they should.
 
Major corporations are asked to pay less tax than they should, according to 67 percent of respondents.

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