Provincial Action Coalition's Response to Budget's 2% Increase
People with Disabilities Left in Poverty by Ontario Budget
People who need income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program will still find it next to impossible to pay their rent, eat a nutritious diet and cover their other basic needs after Finance Minister Sorbara's budget comes into effect. "This budget does not treat people who cannot work due to illness or disability with the dignity they deserve," says Nancy Vander Plaats, chair of the ODSP Action Coalition.
While the government took a step in the right direction for families with children living in poverty with the new Ontario Child Benefit, over half of people receiving ODSP are single.
The Coalition, which is supported by organizations working with people with disabilities, mental health service agencies, community legal clinics, and many ODSP recipients themselves, is disappointed that there is only a 2% increase in social assistance rates while the government is claiming to address poverty in this budget. The new maximum shelter allowance of $445 for a single person is far below the 2005 average cost of a bachelor ($652) or one bedroom ($774) across the province. Even recipients who can find a place to rent for this amount will only get $554 for all needs other than shelter - food, telephone, clothing, transportation, grooming supplies and other personal needs. Most disabled recipients will still be left to depend on food banks and eat diets that do not meet adequate nutrition standards.
"We have challenged the Minister of Community and Social Services to try to live on $979 per month", says Sharon Dever, an ODSP recipient who co-chairs the Toronto Region ODSP Action Coalition. "Our disabilities result in extra costs, such as technology to help the vision-impaired, and it is almost impossible to find affordable housing that is accessible. An extra $20 per month will not allow us to meet those needs and eat properly."
ODSP rates stayed the same for more than a decade, from 1993 to 2005, losing 18% in real value because of inflation during that time. The Liberal government has increased the monthly support by 5% prior to today's 2%; not nearly catching up to 1993 levels.
"The government just arbitrarily sets social assistance rates, with no relationship to the actual cost of basic needs," says Vander Plaats. The Coalition would like to see an independent commission set up to develop a formula based on costs such as average rents compiled by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and nutritious food baskets developed by municipal Boards of Health.
See also the Income Security Advocacy Centre's press release: Budget a First Step, More Needed
(Above link to be posted - last updated Saturday April 21 |
