This document lists some of the major principles and commitments that have been articulated by government in the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Poverty Reduction Act, and the Terms of Reference for the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario.
The Social Assistance Review is an opportunity to give meaning to these principles and to hold government accountable for the commitments they have made. Indeed, since all parties in the legislature unanimously supported the Poverty Reduction Act, they should also be held accountable for having made a commitment to these principles.
These principles and commitments can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- answering the Social Assistance Review Commission’s question about what the outcomes of OW and ODSP should be;
- setting the framework for discussions / consultations / workshops with people in communities about how OW and ODSP should be changed;
- quoting when preparing a submission to the Review Commission.
Read the entire Principles Behind Poverty Reduction backgrounder here.