SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Ontario Assembly

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
November 17, 2022 09:00AM
  • Nov/17/22 11:10:00 a.m.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, through you to the member opposite for that question. I’m sure the member opposite was here in the House on Monday when we tabled the fall economic statement, which is helping many people who are struggling. Many people are feeling the pinch at the grocery store. Many people are feeling the pinch at the pumps, feeling the pinch with rent and with mortgage rates going up on housing.

That’s why we moved early to provide relief, increasing minimum wage, increasing the income tax rebate so that people making a lower income can take more money in their pockets. It’s why we gave the licence plate stickers back. It’s why the Minister of Housing is getting houses built so there can be affordable housing in Ontario. It’s why we doubled the Guaranteed Annual Income System for over 200,000 low-income seniors in this province. It’s why we increased the earning exemptions for people on Ontario disability from $200 to $1,000, many of whom said that is a game-changer for people on disability.

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  • Nov/17/22 11:20:00 a.m.

Let’s go back in time a little bit. Many will remember in 2011 what happened. The NDP supported the Liberal government for three years. If they really believed that they needed to support disability, let me ask you this, Mr. Speaker—let me ask all of Ontario this question: Did they index ODSP payments to inflation? No, they did not, when they had an opportunity to do that.

This is a government that is acting. That is why we increased the ODSP payments by 5%. It’s why for the first time since the program was set up over 20 years ago that it’s getting indexed to inflation. That’s why we increased the earning exemption for the hard-working people of Ontario.

Interjections.

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