Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Whereas both Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients live in legislated deep poverty; and 

Whereas people on fixed incomes are forced to make untenable choices between buying food and paying rent just to survive and the Ford government's meager $58-increase to ODSP rates and freezing of OW rates at $733/month do not keep pace with the actual cost of living; and 

Whereas inflation is at a forty-year-high, groceries are more expensive than ever, and basic expenses like hydro and gas bills continue to increase; and 

Whereas average rents alone are significantly more than the entire monthly payments received by social assistance recipients, and affordable housing wait lists in some communities are up to 10 years' long and even longer for people who need supportive housing; and 

Whereas the Ford government's current approach to social assistance rates is untenable and denies recipients a dignified life; 

Therefore, the Legislative Assembly calls on the Ford government to immediately double Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program payments to recipients as part of an overall strategy to reduce poverty in Ontario.