The government must have run out of speaking notes to be able to ask questions to our member.

I’m always happy to have the opportunity to be able to stand in this Legislature. We’ve definitely heard from a lot of folks on social assistance, ODSP and Ontario Works, who are struggling day in and day out, and I’m pretty sure the member touched on that in her speech, talking about how people were struggling to not only make the rent, but to have a little bit extra at the end of the day for food. We’re clearly hearing from many folks who have little more than $50 a week to be able to feed themselves.

How does the member think that is for folks on social assistance? Does she think it’s the right thing for this government to give a meagre 5%, and will that actually make a difference for people living on social assistance in this province?

I thank the member from Hamilton Mountain for this question. It is something that I hear about constantly from constituents in Ottawa West–Nepean.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Ottawa is $1,160. Unfortunately, that’s about the amount of ODSP for a single individual. That means you pay the rent and you have no money left over. Ontario Works is even less, which means that you can’t even find a place to live if you collect Ontario Works, let alone have enough money for food and for anything extra.

I have a friend who is living on ODSP, who is not only struggling to make ends meet, but also lives in constant fear that this government is so mean-spirited that they are going to find additional ways to claw more benefits back from him. I think it’s incredibly cruel. I think it’s time that the government actually address poverty by doubling Ontario Works and ODSP rates.