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Hunger Crisis: Petition to Raise Incomes

The number of malnourished, chronically hungry Ontarians is growing at an alarming rate. This crisis has developed because many people must rely upon extremely low incomes to eat and pay the rent. Immediate policy changes are essential to prevent an increased prevalence of chronic illnesses related to malnourishment.

With the following concerns in mind it is with great urgency that we, the undersigned, call on the Ontario provincial government to:

  • Implement a 55% increase to OW rates to restore recipients' purchasing power to pre-1995 levels,
  • Implement an increase to ODSP rates to reflect inflation over the past sixteen years,
  • Provide yearly increases to OW and ODSP rates to match inflation,
  • Eliminate the freeze on the minimum wage and implement increases that ensure an adequate wage for all Ontarians,
  • Increase the amount of assets permitted to those applying for ODSP or OW,
  • Implement a provincially funded good jobs strategy to create secure and well-paying jobs in Ontario.

The Recession Relief Coalition staged an all day Hunger Inquiry and subsequently released Hunger Crisis: Report of the Hunger Inquiry 2011. Deputations delivered at the inquiry identified problems such as low social assistance rates, low wages in a declining economy, and a limited availability of secure and well-paying jobs as factors contributing to hunger in Ontario.

In 1995, the provincial government cut Ontario Works (OW) rates by 21.6% and froze the income of those depending on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The results have been catastrophic.

Despite rising food costs, the Ontario provincial government has frozen the minimum wage at $10.25 per hour. Compounding the problem, many low wage workers cannot afford health or dental benefits.

Eligibility for ODSP or OW support is impacted by the amount of an applicant's assets. For example, to qualify for assistance, a single person applying for ODSP must not have assets worth more than $5,000. Stripping recipients of most of their assets prior to providing support may condemn them to long-term poverty.

The need for wages and income support programs to ensure well-being has intensified in these recessionary times. Regrettably, the current provincial government's response has been regressive. Recent changes to the Special Diet Allowance will result in some recipients losing up to $250 of their monthly income. This, combined with rising food costs, will further threaten the health of many Ontarians.

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AIDS ACTION NOW!, Ontario
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