Understanding CRA’s New Automatic Tax Filing And Why Access Centre’s Tax Clinic Still Matters
This year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is expanding its automatic tax-filing services to make it easier for some Canadians to file their income tax returns. If you’ve heard about “automatic filing” and are wondering what it means and whether you still need support from our tax clinic here’s what you need to know What […]
The Link Between Housing and Mental Health
At The Access Centre, we see every day how stable housing changes lives. A safe place to call home isn’t just about having a roof over your head. It’s about having a foundation for hope, healing, and well-being. Albert (name changed for privacy) came to the Access Centre with no connections to friends, family, or […]
Men’s Mental Health Checklist
Great article from GroupHEALTH on Men’s Mental Health There can often be obstacles for men to address their mental well-being; To navigate this, here’s a checklist crafted to support men in prioritizing their mental well-being: Find healthy coping mechanisms: Develop constructive ways to manage stress and difficult emotions. Engage in activities like exercise, meditation, or […]
5 Free or Low-Cost Ways to Improve Your Mental Health
The state of mental health in the country is alarming. According to the CDC, around 1 in 5 adults experiences mental illness, while 1 in 25 adults is diagnosed with a serious condition like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Unfortunately, while these conditions are manageable, pursuing treatment for them can be difficult. Across the board, not […]
Lean Caregiving: Achieving More With Less in the Caregiving Journey
Guest blog post done by: Hal Salazar, Elders Today For caregivers operating within the constraints of limited financial resources, the challenge of providing care can often feel doubly burdensome. This reality, however, does not diminish the possibility of managing caregiving responsibilities with effectiveness and grace. For those navigating the caregiving landscape on a low income, […]
Social Service or Survival?
By Keisha McLean, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE: Disability, Resource, Referral, Vulnerable Adult Outreach & Support The Black Panther Party, during the Civil Rights Movement, coined the term “Survival Programs Pending the Revolution.” They recognized that what others may consider social service, are efforts that would not be needed should government and community systems work to […]
Op-ed: Discrimination within the Canada Workers Benefit
By Alexandria Johnstone, Legal Community Impact Intern & Community Advocate: Resource, Referral, Youth Outreach, Disability & Poverty Law Advocacy While the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) has benefited some Canadians since its implementation, some individuals still qualify but cannot claim it due to its harmful effects. Indirect and direct discrimination against marginalized groups can be […]
Canada Housing Benefit
We have had a number of calls about how one can go about applying for the Canada Housing Benefit. Canadians must meet all the following conditions to be eligible for the new benefit: have filed a 2021 tax return; be at least 15 years of age as of December 1, 2022; be a resident in Canada in […]
Spoonie Life and Language
POSTED WITH PERMISSION: This article was written by Rowan Burdge, and originally appeared in DABC’s Transition magazine on Respecting Disability Language and Identity. (Summer 2022). Read the issue here. When it comes to talking about bodies, I’ve found that language is challenging and nuanced. As someone living with a chronic illness, the line between disabled […]
Annual Allowable Rent Increase for 2022
Information gathered from: Rent Increases – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) “Annual allowable rent increase for 2022 will be 1.5% Residential Tenancies: The 2022 maximum increase will be 1.5% Manufactured Home Parks: For manufactured home park tenancies, the 2022 maximum increase will be 1.5% plus a proportional amount for the change in local government levies […]