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.
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Community Social Data Strategy
The Community Social Data Strategy (CSDS) was developed to raise awareness within the municipal and
non-profit sectors about the potential uses of research data to better understand the social and
economic trends within communities. It achieves this by increasing municipal and non-profit sector
(community-based human service agencies) access to Statistics Canada data and other primary data
sources in a more cost effective manner.
This initiative is coordinated by the CCSD in Ottawa, in partnership with Statistics Canada and other data
providers. There are 20+ municipalities now involved in this initiative across Canada. The CCSD acts and
negotiates on behalf of the consortia. The City of Toronto's Social Development Finance &
Administration Division is lead for the Toronto Consortium. The new contract for a 5-year term
commences this summer. Cost for a NGO sector agency averages around $400 per year for 5 years with
access to reports, a website, and many specialized custom data tables. If you would like to join, please
contact Harvey Low at 416-392-8660 or [email protected]. If you reside outside of Toronto, please
contact the leads of your community.
Visit the CSDS website for more information at:
http://communitydata-donneescommunautaires.ca/Home
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Combating Poverty: Understanding New Challenges for Families: By Ron Haskins, Brookings Institute,
June 05, 2012.
This report examines the major causes of poverty, trends in spending to help poor and low-income
Americans, and strategies Congress has adopted to fight poverty. Poverty has shown great if
unfortunate staying power, but we have learned useful lessons about how to fight it.
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The nation’s inability to reduce children’s poverty is especially troublesome
A review of the leading causes of poverty shows why trends in the economy, demography, and
education make progress against poverty so difficult to achieve
Children in female-headed families are four or five times (depending on the year) more likely to be
in poverty than children in married-couple families
Wage rates are a second work-associated factor that has a major impact on poverty
Census Bureau data on the relationship between education and family income since the 1960s
show that families headed by adults with more education make more money
For link to the report:
http://www.brookings.edu/research/testimony/2012/06/05-poverty-families-haskins
Prepared by Social Policy Analysis & Research ([email protected]). The views
expressed in these studies are those of the author(s) and opinions on the
content of these studies should be communicated directly to the author(s)
themselves. This list is in no way exhaustive of all social research relevant to
Toronto. The City of Toronto is not responsible for the content of hyperlinks.
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The Criminalization of People with Mental Illness, by Gary Chaimowitz, Canadian Psychiatric
Association, March 05, 2012.
Mental illness, no matter how defined, has been with us for at least as long as recorded history. Over
the centuries, there have been trends in the way mental illness is viewed and treated by society. No
matter the language used, society has attached stigma and applied discrimination, with differing
intensity and effect. There have, however, been people who have embodied altruism and care.
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Deinstitutionalization of people with mental illness was initially seen as a liberal and enlightened
movement
The idea that people with mental illness would be able to live happily in the community, with an
array of services and supports, drove and justified this movement
Psychotropic medications, despite their not infrequent side effects, did make a significant
difference in ameliorating and relieving symptoms of psychosis
Along with the reduction in psychiatric beds in Canada and the United States an increase began in
the number of people with mental illness within the also enlarging criminal justice system.
For link to the report:
http://publications.cpa-apc.org/media.php?mid=1268
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Modernizing Child Care in Ontario: Sharing Conversations, Strengthening Partnerships, Working
Together, a Discussion Paper by Ministry of Education, July 2012.
Child care programs benefit children by providing enriching early learning experiences that promote
future well-being. What’s more, the sustainability and growth of the economy depends on the strength
of our workforce, and many parents and families rely on child care in order to work, go to school or
participate in retraining.
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Full-day kindergarten (FDK) marks the biggest innovation in our education system in a generation
and positions Ontario as a leader in North America
FDK is designed to give children a stronger start in school and in life by helping them to develop
valuable skills that give them every opportunity to succeed
Strengthening the child care sector will not be about expanding the current system but about
stabilizing and transforming the system to enable higher-quality, consistent services that can
support growth in the future.
For link to the paper:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/Modernizing_Child_Care.pdf
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Physical Activity is the Best Medicine by Get Active Toronto released on June 27, 2012.
For the past decade Toronto residents have recorded low levels of physical activity during leisure time.
In fact, only 42% of Torontonians are physically activity during leisure time, the time that they are in
Prepared by Social Policy Analysis & Research ([email protected]). The views
expressed in these studies are those of the author(s) and opinions on the
content of these studies should be communicated directly to the author(s)
themselves. This list is in no way exhaustive of all social research relevant to
Toronto. The City of Toronto is not responsible for the content of hyperlinks.
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control of their lifestyle. With largely sedentary work and school environments, now more than ever it is
more critical for people to incorporate physical activity during leisure time.
Some of the highlights:
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To generate an increase in youth physical activity it recommends the involvement and integration
of youth in developing and implementing initiatives
Youth from low income households are less active then youth from high-income households
Youth are more likely to engage in physical activity when they understand and perceive that
physical activity is fun
Girls are less active than boys - homework and responsibilities at home (chores, taking care of
siblings) prevent them from engaging in physical activity after school
Treat physical education as the necessity it is: critical to a lifetime of health and wellbeing; and just
as critical as grammar, math and science
Support the development of walk able neighbourhoods in Toronto. Promote the development of
safe recreation spaces (indoor and outdoor) that are accessible by all Torontonians.
For link to the report:
http://www.getactivetoronto.com/photos//2012_GAT_report_final.pdf
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The Working Conditions of Montreal Municipal Employees was prepared by Louis Fortin, Montreal
Economic Institute, June 15, 2012.
When a public administration takes charge of services for citizens, it has a responsibility to provide them
at the lowest possible cost. It is taxpayers, after all, who pay for these costs, which include in particular
the working conditions, governed by the collective agreements of the public sector employees who
provide these services
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The average salary of a municipal employee is $50,895 a year versus $46,716 in the private sector,
a 9% advantage
The value of municipal employees’ social benefits is estimated to be 35% of their salaries, as
opposed to 23% in the private sector
Job security guarantees long-term work, basically for the entire length of a career, to a permanent
employee
Regardless of any political, budgetary or other circumstances, the number of employees in these
categories cannot fall without having to renegotiate these sections of the collective agreement.
For link to the publication:
http://www.iedm.org/files/note0812_en.pdf
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Profile of Seniors’ Transportation Habits by Martin Turcotte, Canadian Social Trends, Summer 2012.
Most Canadians live in neighbourhoods designed around cars as the means of travel. Consequently,
they often have to drive or be driven to work, retail stores, health service centres or recreation and
Prepared by Social Policy Analysis & Research ([email protected]). The views
expressed in these studies are those of the author(s) and opinions on the
content of these studies should be communicated directly to the author(s)
themselves. This list is in no way exhaustive of all social research relevant to
Toronto. The City of Toronto is not responsible for the content of hyperlinks.
Page 3
leisure activities. While most seniors have retired from the workforce, a majority of them want to grow
old in their own homes and take an active part in society.
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Although most seniors drive carefully, statistics show that people aged 70 or older have a higher
accident rate per kilometre driven than any other age group except young male drivers
Seniors are more likely than younger people to be killed when they are involved in a collision
While most seniors have retired from the workforce, a majority of them want to grow old in their
own homes and take an active part in society
As with the population as a whole, public transit was used more frequently by seniors living in the
largest census metropolitan areas.
For link to the article:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/11-008-x2012001-eng.pdf
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Volunteering in Canada by Mireille Vézina and Susan Crompton, Canadian Social Trends, Summer 2012.
In 2010, about one-half of Canadians contributed their time, energy and skills to groups and
organizations such as charities and non-profits. They provided leadership on boards and committees;
canvassed for funds; provided advice, counselling or mentoring; visited seniors; prepared and delivered
food; served as volunteer drivers; advocated for social causes; coached children and youth.
 Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust,
solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for
participation
 In 2010, 43% of volunteers said they did their volunteer work as part of a group project with friends
neighbours or co-workers
 With the increasing use of the Internet for multiple purposes, one would expect to see more online
volunteer activity than in previous survey years
 Volunteers dedicated more than 100 hours, on average, to sports and recreation (120 hours),
religion (117 hours) and social services (116 hours).
For link to the article:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11-008-x/11-008-x2012001-eng.pdf
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Social Policy, Analysis and Research Information Resources:
Wellbeing Toronto:
www.toronto.ca/wellbeing
Neighbourhood Profiles: www.toronto.ca/demographics/neighbourhoods.htm
Census 2011 Backgrounders & other resources: www.toronto.ca/demographics
Prepared by Social Policy Analysis & Research ([email protected]). The views
expressed in these studies are those of the author(s) and opinions on the
content of these studies should be communicated directly to the author(s)
themselves. This list is in no way exhaustive of all social research relevant to
Toronto. The City of Toronto is not responsible for the content of hyperlinks.
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