1. Accessible Ontario – Budget

An Accessible Ontario before 2025 may be a “mirage” due to lack of resources and enforcement against businesses and governments (See the Onley Review inside). But, what could happen if the Ontario government committed to a Budget process built on principles of disability justice? Would it mean accessibility in classrooms, services, housing and justice? We know that justice also requires literal access to lawyers. How will Legal Aid cuts of 30% affect the survivor community?

The Toronto Overdose Prevention Society has donated to support one month operation of Overdose Prevention Sites: (//www.cp24.com/video?clipId=1663324 ).

How will St. Stephen’s and Street Health manage the long term operations of the OPS? How will users be affected by closures? And how will the workers’ futures be affected?
· Street Health 338 Dundas Street East
· St. Stephen’s Community House Kensington Market – Corner Drop In Centre Overdose Prevention Site (Temporary) 260 Augusta Street
Note: Toronto sites are changing fast: //bit.ly/2QKHVt5

Navigate Below

1. Intro: Accessible Budget
2. Moments in C/S Bulletin History
3. Rights and News
4. Resources
5. Jobs
6. Key Free Events
7. Who is to Blame? Photos of the National Day of Action on the Overdose Crisis

Surveys and feedback help us improve!

3. News, Rights, Advocacy

 Budget – “Don’t panic”

Positives:

• · Low income Seniors get dentistry
• ODSP, OW were not destroyed
• Horse racing…

Concerns:

• Cuts to social assistance, legal aid, education, trees…
• Changes to awards and rights to access Compensation for Victims of Crime Act [CVCA]

Analysis of some of these proposed changes is available here at Income Security Advocacy Cenre: Budget update: //bit.ly/2GNVBvH

Legal Aid Cut – BUT Ford will get you a lawyer:

“If anyone needs support on legal aid, feel free to call my office. I will guarantee you that you will have legal aid,” Ford added in the interview. – Ontario Premier Doug Ford…phoned in to the Alan Carter Show on Global News radio show April 22

Funding for refugee and immigration cases was also eliminated. Bulletin:

• Does this mean that people with disabilities who are some of the most vulnerable people be exposed to torture, violence because of this policy?
•  Can refugees report crimes to police?
•  Can they call for assistance for overdoses, partner violence, child abuse?
•  Will they be used as tools to undercut labour laws and wages, because they cannot access employment lawyers?

Planning for death for homeless people

Planning for death, when life is a struggle — project helps marginalized populations prepare for a dignified end
Justine Hunter Apr 19 //tgam.ca/2UCAYrf

Ontario Disability Support Program Shelter Allowance can cover storage lockers for homeless people

An ODSP claimant used a storage locker. She  received back payment for 5 years storage locker costs and ongoing payments from ODSP. You (and your worker) can use this to argue for storage locker cost coverage if you are homeless.

Episodic Disabilities

‘Uncertain Futures’: An Episodic Disabilities Discussion Paper  Episodic Disabilities Network (EDN) //bit.ly/2VvQ1aG
Episodic disabling conditions or diseases are lifelong, but unlike permanent or progressive disabling conditions, they result in episodes of disability. …

Top health officer calls on B.C. to‘urgently’ decriminalize possession of illicit drugs

Michelle Ghoussoub, Rhianna Schmunk · CBC News · Posted: Apr 24 //bit.ly/2VxV3mU
See the 50-page report

Evictions—Cutting tenant protections will harm our health

Scott Leon April 25, 2019 Wellesley Institute //bit.ly/2ZDx5FR
Changes could  increase evictions:
· Shortened eviction timelines would give renters less opportunity to catch up on back rent and could lead to more evictions.
· Allowing private bailiffs to enforce evictions in the place of public sheriffs would weaken tenants’ positions at a vulnerable time…
· Removing Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearings altogether for tenants that cannot formally and speedily dispute the eviction  could lead to more people being evicted.
· Limiting the issues tenants can raise in an LTB hearing to those disclosed in writing before the hearing would bias the process in favour of landlords. Tenants need to be able to come to the hearing and raise extenuating circumstances, such as disrepair.

“An oak tree comes from a single nut that stood its ground.” –Author Unknown

Organizing Guide for Psychiatric Survivors MindFreedom International
//bit.ly/2ZHE6Wj

Toronto For All—City Campaign

Tool to explain and advocate for disability rights for you or your communities.

4. Resources

5. Jobs & Funding

Research about Peer Researchers Peers Project!

Want to work in the Mad service sector: Charity Village has lots of job listings – search “mental health”, “substance use”  //charityvillage.com.

JOB: Fresh Start Cleaner  

Fresh Start is currently accepting applications from  Consumer/ Survivors for Cleaning Services. Karen Schwartz karen@freshstartclean.com

EDEN—Episodic Disability Employment Network

//edencanada.ca/en/home

CALL FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Empowerment Council (EC)

We are recruiting people who’ve been on the receiving end of mental health and addiction services to stand for election to serve on our board.

People need to be able to communicate effectively (have access to email, not mind reading lengthy documents), and be able to attend meetings twice a month.  Previous experience with a Board, strategic planning, or other organizational development is a plus. We especially encourage people to apply from traditionally marginalised groups – such as indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ.
If you are interested please contact: Expertsbyexperience@gmail.com and cc jennifer.chambers@camh.ca    for more information

Please make contact before May 22, 2019.

EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meeting: Wed June 12^th 5:00 Queen St Training Room A (next to the cafeteria) Food and tokens provided For more info contact beth.jacob@camh.ca

6. Fun Free Events in April

General Tips on finding events:

• City of Toronto Event Listings—Lots of good stuff
• Toronto Public Library
• See Soundtimes/events and March Highlights Listing. 
• Thanks to Inkwell Studios for submitting their events directly. You can do this too!

Discover Our Power – North York Women’s Centre

• gain an understanding of difficult emotions and the affect they have on your wellbeing;
• identify your personal assets;
• learn coping strategies

Location: 116 Industry Street email info@nywc.org or 416.781.0479
Intake April 10, 17  Program Starts April 24th, Wednesday for 9 weeks, every Wednesday from  2:00 p.m -4:30 p.m.
.

April 5th – Dinner With A View …Of The Rich

We’re inviting you to join us for a free 3-course dinner under the Gardiner.
Bring your noisemakers and email us your music requests. While you’re at it, email Mayor Tory (mayor_tory@toronto.ca) and tell him we need adequate shelters and rent-geared-to-income housing. OCAP

April 30 Rally for Public Healthcare System

@ Queen’s Park @ 12 pm.
Show the Ford government that the fight is on to preserve local public health care and stop privatization. This legislature has the potential to uproot Ontario’s health care in a way that can permanently harm OUR public health care system. We need every single one of you to join us and standing up to the Ford government and telling them that we will not allow it to happen.

May 3rd TORONTO CSI NETWORK – Update Meeting

@10am to 3pm at Friends House 60 Lowther Ave. (St George Subway Station)

ODSP update and “Power of Change” next steps.

Food will be catered by the Raging Spoon,  A light breakfast and hearty lunch and TTC tokens provided
Special Guest David Reville Please Register: Contact Corrine Humphreys 416-424 2266 ext. 234 or corrine@awayexpress.ca

. Who is to blame? Act now on drug policy

Crackdown podcast asks who is to blame

And speaks to family membrs who have lost children. This is not just some force of nature. Someone is to blame. Find podcast: //bit.ly/2VzqjSB

National Day of Action on the Overdose Crisis – Photo Essay

“Hundreds touched by the deaths of friends and family members showed up at Queen’s Park April 16th. Article+photos : Paul Salvatori //bit.ly/2Vbo8oF Work with CAPUD: //bit.ly/2Jaxslz More photos:

The Bulletin

Resources for Consumer / Survivors / People who use substances / Service and Substance Users / Fun Folks in TORONTO AREA

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All previous issues are available on our website: www.soundtimes.com/bulletin
The Bulletin is published on the 1st of every month
by Sound Times Support Services. Funding for this Consumer/Survivor initiative has been provided by the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Disclaimer:
The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
Toronto Central LHIN, the Government of Ontario,
Sound Times Support Services Staff or Board Members.
Thanks: to survey participants, callers and emailers and the C/S Info Bulletin Team..
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