Advocacy groups call on Ontario government to double social assistance rates
More than 200 advocacy groups have signed an open letter asking the Ontario government to double disability support payment rates and ensure they keep up with the soaring cost of living.
The letter, released by the Income Security Advocacy Centre, said the Progressive Conservative government's plan to increase disability support payment rates by five per cent in next month's budget is far from what financial aid recipients need.
"With continued inflation, and the associated increase in cost of living, 5 per cent is not nearly enough of a rate increase to survive," ISAC wrote. "We call on this government to double both (Ontario Works) and (Ontario Disability Support Program) rates, and to index these rates to inflation."
The recent provincial election campaign saw the Progressive Conservatives promise to raise Ontario Disability Support Program rates by five per cent and introduce legislation to tie annual increases to inflation.
ISAC said that proposal amounts to $58 extra per month for ODSP recipients and doesn't account for the 458,000 low-income people who receive support through Ontario Works.
Social assistance rates have been stagnant since 2018, with a single person able to receive up to $1,169 a month on ODSP and $733 on OW -- well below the poverty line.
ISAC said record-breaking inflation rates have driven costs up so high that it's "impossible" for social assistance recipients to pay for basic needs, including housing, food and medication.
The letter was addressed to Premier Doug Ford, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and Social Service Minister Merrilee Fullerton, and signed by more than 200 non-profits that advocate for poverty reduction and income security. Signatories include legal clinics, health organizations, social service providers and community groups.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bethlenfalvy was asked earlier this month if the government would give the program a boost larger than five per cent in light of the high inflation rate. He didn't directly answer, saying the government has many tools to fight the rising cost of living.
Other political parties had pledged larger increases to the disability support program during the spring election.
The Green Party of Ontario had proposed doubling the payment rate and Leader Mike Schreiner wrote to Ford last month asking him to make the same commitment.
Schreiner repeated his call in light of Monday's open letter, saying it's "shameful that people with disabilities are forced to live in legislated poverty" and describing Ford's planned five per cent boost as an insufficient "campaign gimmick."
"I am urging the premier to listen to advocates and immediately double social assistance rates and tie all future increases to inflation," he said in a written statement. "It would be shameful if he does not provide immediate and meaningful support to those most in need."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.