Media for social change

Just in time to mark World Health Day, on April 7th, we bring you a special hour-long podcast looking at the relationship between poverty and health in Canada.

"Taking it Back" is a documentary on the special needs provisions in social assistance legislation in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Under these regulations there is money available for special dietary needs, transportation, eye glasses, dental care and child care. Unfortunately, various government bodies create huge barriers for welfare recipients to access special needs monies.

Organizations such as the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) and the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP) are now working to dismantle those barriers knowing that all welfare recipients are entitled to more money. People living on social assistance receive grossly inadequate incomes that won't protect their health or their dignity.

Welfare rates in Nova Scotia have decreased by 20% on average since 1989; as one response, HCAP's Special Needs campaign is being used as a mobilizing tool in the context of the growing gap between rich and poor.

Thanks to Pierre Loiselle, Jill Ratcliffe, Matthew Yates, and Praxis Media Productions for producing this timely audio-documentary. Music is by Jon Cleveland.