SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Ontario Assembly

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
November 3, 2022 09:00AM
  • Nov/3/22 10:20:00 a.m.

This week, the NDP tried to convince this PC government to increase the rates for ODSP and OW. People are hurting. Doubling the rates would make a real difference to real people who:

—cannot find safe places to live that they can afford;

—are in debt to the utility company because they will never have enough to pay rent, buy food and pay the bills with such a small cheque;

—are celiac but can’t afford gluten-free food to keep from getting sick;

—during COVID, could never afford to bulk-buy food to stay home more often and had to pay to take transit and take more risks than others;

—could never stock up to save money or shop when things are on sale because they are forced to buy what they need when they have the money;

—need to clothe themselves and their growing kids—kids who more often get bullied;

—deserve to feed their family nutritious and real food;

—don’t want to be forced to live beholden to skeezy landlords who take advantage of their desperation;

—need a phone but have no access to credit and must pay the highest rates, usually without data;

—don’t get extra money to replace their bed or belongings when they get bedbugs from substandard housing;

—can’t afford a ticket to a hockey game;

—would love to see a movie or have dinner out with friends, but can’t budget for it;

—want to live with a spouse or companion without losing their independence or money;

—want to work without having that money clawed back; and

—want to live but are choosing to die because the torment of poverty is inescapable.

Who can survive in today’s world on $1,200? No one. Who deserves to suffer in legislated poverty day in and day out with no compassion from this government or end in sight? No one.

This government has chirpy and flippant slogans like, “The best social program is a job.” Well, Premier, those who can’t work can’t, and for the record, the best social program would be compassionate and fair. Raise the rates.

358 words
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