Ontario PCs follow other major parties in announcing increase in ODSP rates
The Progressive Conservatives are following the Liberals, NDP and Greens with a new promise—which was not previously outlined in their budget—to increase financial supports for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) by five per cent if elected.
The announcement was made in a news release issued Monday, in which the party touted it as “the largest increase in more than a decade.”
The party also said they would introduce legislation to see ODSP rates increase annually along with inflation.
“With the cost of living going up, we want to give vulnerable people across Ontario more support so they can pay for life’s essentials,” PC Leader Doug Ford said in a statement. “While the Del Duca-Wynne Liberals froze ODSP rates, we’re going to increase them every year tied to inflation.”
The PCs did not include this promise in their 2022 budget, which is serving as their re-election platform.
All three other major party leaders, on the other hand, have already announced substantial ODSP rate increases as part of their campaigns.
In their newly-released costed platform, the Liberals said they would increase ODSP rates by 20 per cent—10 per cent this year and another 10 per cent in 2023. They will also increase the maximum amount a person with disabilities can earn before the benefits are reduced to $6,000 per year.
This plan will cost a little more than $1.2 billion in 2023 alone.
The NDP are also promising to increase ODSP rates by 20 per cent while the Green Party says they want to “double” the rates.
Both the NDP and Liberals have also promised to streamline the eligibility process to ensure the same standards are used regardless of where or how individuals live.
As it stands, individuals on disability are able to collect $1,169 a month from the government.
Ford had no scheduled campaign events on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.