In a landmark group of cases, the Supreme Court today struck down the mandatory victim surcharge, finding that it was cruel and unusual in its effects on people living in poverty. The mandatory victim surcharge requires every person who is convicted of a criminal offence in Canada to pay a fine as part of their …
Updates
What Changing the ODSP Definition of Disability Would Mean / Que signifierait changer la définition d’invalidité du POSPH?
On November 22, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services announced proposed changes to the social assistance system in Ontario. One change would make the ODSP definition of disability more like definitions used in federal government benefit programs. This proposed change would result in many low-income people with disabilities in Ontario who would qualify …
Working while on OW: What Minister MacLeod’s changes to income exemptions would mean
On November 22, Minister Lisa MacLeod announced a number of changes to Ontario’s social assistance programs. One of these is a change to the way that earned income will be deducted from the benefits of people on Ontario Works (OW). Our analysis shows that: The proposed changes will improve the incomes of people on OW …
Webinar: Changes to Social Assistance: What will they mean?
On November 22, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Lisa MacLeod, announced a number of changes to Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). These changes include: changing the definition of disability in ODSP to make it more restrictive changing the amounts of money that people in both OW and …
Many questions, few answers, and great risk for people with disabilities
Minister Lisa MacLeod’s announcement today about a new direction for social assistance in Ontario shows promising directions for Ontario Works, but leaves many unanswered questions and creates serious risks for people with disabilities. There is also no mention of addressing the most critical problem, which is improving the inadequate benefit rates for people on OW …
Bill 47 is a Step Back for Ontario’s Workers
On October 23, Ontario’s government tabled Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act. The legislation, which will repeal portions of Bill 148 (the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act), is a major setback for workers’ rights in Ontario. Bill 148, passed in November 2017, was the result of years of campaigning and advocacy for …
Open Letter to Minister MacLeod: Five Principles for the 100-day Review
More than 1100 people and nearly 100 organizations from across Ontario have signed this letter to Minister Lisa MacLeod, which we sent today to her office and the offices of all Ontario’s MPPs. If you missed signing this letter and want to take action, please send an email to Minister MacLeod voicing your support for …
Gender Equality Week: What’s the state of women’s economic equality in the workplace?
September 23rd marked the beginning of the very first Gender Equality Week in Canada, aimed at celebrating the progress Canada has made in advancing gender equality while also reflecting on the work that remains to be done. Bill C-309, which became law earlier this year, designates the fourth week of September each year as Gender …
100 Days: Take Action Before November 8!
The new Ontario government recently announced that they will reveal a new direction for social assistance, based in part on “compassion for people in need,” after a 100-day review. Take action now to help ensure their November 8 announcement moves Ontario’s social assistance programs – Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) …
OW and ODSP Rates and the OCB 2018 / Les taux d’OT, du POSPH et de la POE 2018
– la version française suit dessous – Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) rates are being increased later this month, as announced on July 31, 2018. As in past years, we have created a rates sheet to let people on social assistance, and people who work with them, know what these increases mean. …
