The Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario will issue its final report and recommendations next week.
How will we tell if the report passes the test? How will we know if the recommendations will resolve the problems in the social assistance system?
A number of groups and organizations have created Five Tests for others across Ontario to use to assess the success of the Commission’s report.
- Does the report provide a clearly articulated vision for a social assistance system that reflects the real cost of living and promotes dignity, equity, opportunity, and good health for all?
- Does the report recommend incomes adequate to support the dignity of the people on social assistance?
- Does it promote opportunity through improved employment and training programs, provide for involvement in community life, and create greater chances to move forward?
- Does it recommend a system that puts people first, in both the program and benefit structures?
- And does it ensure that, at the end of the day, after reform takes place, everyone is better off as a result?
Download the full Five Tests document here to find out more about how the report can and should respond to these questions.
And read an Op-Ed in the Toronto Star that outlines the Five Tests.