If Ontario Premier Doug Ford had a disabled adult child living on social assistance, would he understand the dire need to make changes to the system?
The maximum one can make on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is $1,168 a month. How can anyone survive on this when the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto is $2,020? Not to mention the additional costs of food, public transit, phone, clothes and other necessities. The rule of thumb used to be that accommodation should not exceed 30 percent of one's salary. That would mean someone on ODSP shouldn't spend more than $350 a month on rent. Does Doug know this?
Those I know on ODSP try their hardest to get part time employment to supplement their income. It's not easy. Many disabled are underemployed and have increased roadblocks to employment. They should be rewarded for putting themselves out there, but instead the government penalizes them.
If an ODSP recipient is fortunate enough to find part time employment (usually minimum wage), they can only earn $200 a month before their ODSP is reduced by 50 percent. So, if someone earns $400 a month, they keep only the first $200 before their ODSP is reduced by $100. Does that make any sense? Does that encourage anyone on ODSP to look for and to keep a job? How demoralizing! This has to end. Why can't Doug and the Conservatives prove they are a party for the people by improving the lives of the most marginalized amongst us, the disabled?
I propose that the province of Ontario increase to $20,000 a year the amount one can earn before their benefits are reduced. This added to their maximum ODSP of $14,016 would give a total income of $34,016 a year. Afterall, the threshold for low income in Canada is $34,000 per year if you're single or $48,000 per year for a couple.
Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod was recently quoted as saying that "the best social program is a job." Yet, her party has not implemented the previous Liberal government's plan to increase earning exemptions from $200 a month to $400 a month. Had the Liberals still been in power, this move would have been effective Dec. 1. MacLeod says she wants those on supports to be able to live "with dignity" and says her government wants to help those disabled who can work, find employment. When will she prove that she means what she says?
The maximum one can make on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is $1,168 a month. How can anyone survive on this when the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto is $2,020? Not to mention the additional costs of food, public transit, phone, clothes and other necessities. The rule of thumb used to be that accommodation should not exceed 30 percent of one's salary. That would mean someone on ODSP shouldn't spend more than $350 a month on rent. Does Doug know this?
Those I know on ODSP try their hardest to get part time employment to supplement their income. It's not easy. Many disabled are underemployed and have increased roadblocks to employment. They should be rewarded for putting themselves out there, but instead the government penalizes them.
If an ODSP recipient is fortunate enough to find part time employment (usually minimum wage), they can only earn $200 a month before their ODSP is reduced by 50 percent. So, if someone earns $400 a month, they keep only the first $200 before their ODSP is reduced by $100. Does that make any sense? Does that encourage anyone on ODSP to look for and to keep a job? How demoralizing! This has to end. Why can't Doug and the Conservatives prove they are a party for the people by improving the lives of the most marginalized amongst us, the disabled?
I propose that the province of Ontario increase to $20,000 a year the amount one can earn before their benefits are reduced. This added to their maximum ODSP of $14,016 would give a total income of $34,016 a year. Afterall, the threshold for low income in Canada is $34,000 per year if you're single or $48,000 per year for a couple.
Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod was recently quoted as saying that "the best social program is a job." Yet, her party has not implemented the previous Liberal government's plan to increase earning exemptions from $200 a month to $400 a month. Had the Liberals still been in power, this move would have been effective Dec. 1. MacLeod says she wants those on supports to be able to live "with dignity" and says her government wants to help those disabled who can work, find employment. When will she prove that she means what she says?
Flowers to brighten and warm this record-breaking cold Toronto day.
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