Most Current Research on Social Change in Canada

Most Current Research on Social Change in Canada

The Philippine Reporter believes that research matters.  Hence, it is publishing information on some of the latest research gems significant to everyone. 

These studies are lifted from the SPAR (Social Policy Analysis and Research) Monitor, an inventory of recent social research information relevant to social policy. — Editors

This bulletin is a quick inventory of recent social research information. Its purpose is to promptly disseminate the most current external and internal research relevant to social policy. It is published by City of Toronto’s Social Development, Finance and Aministration Division.

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“Life is Really Hard Here”: The Living Conditions and Needs of Filipino Elderlies in the Greater Toronto Area, authored by Roland Sintos Coloma, Ph.D., Fritz Luther Pino and Frank Villanueva, is a research collaboration between the University of Toronto and Filipino Centre Toronto, August 29, 2013.

This report addresses the living conditions and needs of Filipino elderlies in Canada, one of the fastest growing elderly racialized minority groups in the country. Groundbreaking reveals that approximately 70% of Filipino seniors in the GTA are living in poverty, and what being poor means to these seniors in their lives here. Research also explains why this is so, and provides some recommendations for government, policy makers and community.

Some of the findings:

• Approximately 7 out of 10 Filipino elderlies in the GTA live in poverty

• Economic vulnerability is more pronounced for those who migrated to Canada from 1991 onward and for female elderlies

• Filipino elderlies primarily rely on government support for their economic security

• The majority of Filipino elderlies live with family members and/or relatives

• Housing cost is the largest expense for most Filipino elderlies, followed by food cost

For link to the report:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/cec29b_8db4dd6f1e3a63d8dbb931a7c178e4c4.pdf

For link to the article in The Philippine Reporter by Mila Astorga-Garcia

https://philippinereporter.com/2013/09/13/70-of-filipino-gta-seniors-poor/

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The Cost of Raising Children: By Christopher A. Sarlo, Fraser Institute, September 2013.

The cost of raising a child is defined as the cash outlay “marginal” costs that parents spend when they add a child to their household. These costs specifically exclude any costs that were already in place prior to the child and would still be in place if the child leaves the household. The objective of this paper is to find, at least, a base level of annual child costs that would need to be covered for the healthy development of the child.

• Estimates for the cost of raising children use flawed methods and questionable assumptions to arrive at an average cost in excess of $10,000 per child, per year

• These estimates simply do not reflect what parents, especially lower income parents, need to spend towards the healthy development of their child

• There are millions of Canadian parents, including countless immigrants, who over the past several decades have successfully raised happy, healthy, and well-educated children on a fraction of the cost.

For link to the report:

http://www.fraserinstitute.org/uploadedFiles/fraser-ca/Content/research-news/research/publications/MeasuringCostChildren.pdf

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Family Caregiving: What are the Consequences? By Martin Turcotte, Statistics Canada, September 2013.

Most people will, at some point in their life, help a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, disability or problems related to aging. Providing care has many benefits. In addition to reducing the social costs associated with health services and institutionalization, it also benefits the care receiver, allowing them to remain at home and maintain a better quality of life.

• In 2012, 8 million Canadians, or 28% of the population aged 15 and over, provided care to family members or friends with a long-term health condition, a disability or problems associated with aging

• Among these family caregivers, 39% primarily cared for their father or mother, 8% for their spouse or partner, and 5% for their child. The remaining (48%) provided care to other family members or friends

• Among regular caregivers, 28% who cared for a child and 20% who cared for a spouse experienced financial difficulties as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. This proportion was 7% among those who regularly helped their parents.

For link to the report:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2013001/article/11858-eng.pdf

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Labour Force Information, from August 11 to 17, 2013, Statistics Canada, September 6, 2013

Employment increased by 59,000 in August, mainly in part-time work, and the unemployment rate declined 0.1 percentage points to 7.1%. Over the six months to August, employment gains averaged 12,000 per month, lower than the average of 29,000 observed during the preceding six-month period.

• Since August 2012, employment has increased 1.4% (+246,000) and at the same time, the number of hours worked has grown 1.3%

• Provincially, employment increased in Ontario and Alberta, while it declined in Manitoba

• Employment in health care and social assistance increased in August, offsetting a decline in July

• Employment gains were concentrated among people aged 55 and over, while there was little change among youths and people aged 25 to 54.

For link to the paper:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/71-001-x/71-001-x2013008-eng.pdf

For link to the City of Toronto Backgrounder on Income:

http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/nhs-backgrounder-income-shelter.pdf