Ontario's auditor general is suggesting that school administrators start collecting data on students' ethnicity, language and socio-economic status. The suggestion comes as several US states have found success in targeting programs to specific ethnic groups to raise graduation rates. The information would not be made public, but it could help administrators to fund and design specific programs.
For the eighth consecutive year BC has the worst child poverty rate in Canada, after taxes. Over 137,000 BC children live in poverty and the number is climbing. Nearly 74% of children in poverty live in two-parent families. The report highlights who is faring the worst; including recent immigrant families, female lone-parent families, racialized families and families with a child with a disability.The report also provides solutions from implementing living wage policies to providing affordable child care.
A report published by the Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates, titled "Canada Must Do Better," is being submitted to the United Nations. The United Nations will consider the report in evaluating Canada's compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The statistics included in the report paint a dire picture. Higher infant mortality rates, poorer nutritional status, higher rates of diabetes and chronic disease are just some of the problems the report identifies.
Since 1976 household incomes for BC families in the 25-35 demographic have dropped by 6% after adjusting for inflation, while home prices have increased by 149%. The addition of mothers in the workforce has not made life more affordable. A study by Paul Kershaw of the University of B.C.'s Human Early Learning Partnership, makes 3 recommendations to help families afford to spend more time together:
1)Extending parental leave to 18 months from 12, generally reserving the extra six months for fathers (except in the case of same-sex couples or single parents)
The new Vital Signs report is out and it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Although Canada's youth unemployment hasn't reached the same crisis levels as some European countries, it is still high at 16%. The NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) phenomena could potentially manifest serious social unrest and economic problems if not addressed quickly. The same report shows that obesity rates are climbing due to increased sedentary jobs, and time shortages.
The City of Edmonton is partnering with REACH, a community-based organization focused on safety, to reduce violent crime. The focus will be on providing 24/7 social services to at risk populations, including multi-cultural, aboriginal, and homeless populations.
In Nova Scotia a number of "Alzheimer's cafes" are cropping up. They are places where Alzheimer's sufferers and their friends and families can come together to socialize, but also to access important health and wellness information. The informal cafes are typically held once a month for two hours. Read more at CTV News.
A new website that builds upon open data allows users to rate Toronto neighbourhoods. Information provided on the Wellbeing Toronto website is exhaustive, ranging from the number of car crashes in an area, to income and education levels. While some view the ranking system as potentially damaging to communities, many others are happy to have such data readily available, including non-profits who will use the information to target their resources to communities most in need.
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Open Data,
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Tools and Best Practices,
Healthy Communities,
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Open Government,
Planning & Land Use | July 6, 2011
A two-part series in Megaphone Magazine explores the rise of homelessness in the suburbs and what municipalities are doing to address the issue. Read the article here.
Watch this video to learn what steps Copenhagen took to become one of the most livable cities in the world, and how it went from a "traffic infested city to a people oriented city". Hint - lower speed limits!
