Hamilton Spectator: ACORN protest moves through downtown Hamilton
March for affordable housing followed bi-annual convention.
Financial Literacy and Justice
Ottawa Voice: Group rallies to end payday lending, calls for better banking
ACORN members rallied at cash and rent-to-own stores in Alta Vista on March 25 to protest high-interest predatory practices. Their tour included Ottawa South MP David McGuinty’s office to lobby for more accessible banking services.
The Globe and Mail: In a cashless world, society’s most vulnerable are being left behind
In Canada, 3 per cent of the population – about one million people – are “unbanked,” meaning they do not have a relationship with a mainstream financial institution, according to a 2016 report by Acorn Canada and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
A further 15 per cent – or roughly five million Canadians – are what the report calls “underbanked,” people with a bank account but no credit, people unable to afford fees or high interest rates linked to products for low-income borrowers or those who live in a neighbourhood that does not have a bank branch.
Donna Borden, spokeswoman for Acorn’s Fair Banking campaign, says these people are often seniors, people on disability benefits, newcomers and people with mental-health issues, as well as those without a permanent address or government identification. For street-involved people who do have a bank account, holding onto the cards necessary to access money can be difficult.
Lindsay Advocate: More than half of people on basic income behind on bills for two or more months
The average share of income spent on shelter was more than 55 per cent, while more than 43 per cent of participants reported they were falling behind in meeting their basic financial obligations.
ACORN National Convention 2019: Hamilton, Ontario
ACORN members from across the country will come together to listen to exciting guest speakers, including labour leaders, community allies, politicians and more; meet other ACORN members and leaders from across the country; attend workshops on how to build power for change; and learn the skills and tools needed to develop grassroots campaigns.
New plan to measure poverty, but no money for low-income Canadians
Despite some positive initiatives, ACORN members are deeply disappointed by the lack of action put forward in the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Fair and affordable basic banking services in 3 easy steps
We need a national strategy to guarantee equal access to basic banking services for all Canadians at a fair price.
Parliament Hears ACORN's Demands for Fair Banking!
ACORN members traveled to Parliament today to support Finance Critic, Peter Julian MP, as he tabled ACORN's petitions for fair banking in Parliament on March 29.
Montreal Sud-Ouest ACORN Members Demand Affordable Public Transit and Internet Access * Les membres de Sud-Ouest ACORN réclament des transports en commun et l’accès internet à prix abordables
On Thursday March 15, 2018, a delegation of Montreal Sud-Ouest ACORN members delivered a letter to City Councilor Craig Sauvé at his office on Rue Bel-Air. // Jeudi 15 mars 2018, une délégation de membres de Montréal Sud-Ouest ACORN a livré une lettre au conseiller municipal Craig Sauvé dans ses bureaux de la Rue Bel-Air.
ACORN Canada written submission to Ontario Ministry of Finance 2018 Pre-Budget Consultations
ACORN members wish to encourage the Ministry of Finance to take this opportunity, during the 2018 pre-budget consultations, to consider the needs of low and moderate-income Ontarians.