Once again, I would like to thank Dr. Sally Palmer for sending in these petitions and her endless work on ensuring that people on social assistance in the province of Ontario have their rates doubled.

We know that people on social services are living well below the poverty line. Quite frankly, it’s legislated poverty: people on Ontario Works, $733, no increase in over a decade; for people on Ontario Disability Support Program, a very meagre increase took them to $1,308. This does not leave enough money for rent.

This petition states that there are 230 organizations that wrote a letter to the Premier and to the minister urging the government to double the ODSP rates so people have quality of life in the province of Ontario.

I wholeheartedly support this petition. I’m going to affix my signature to it and give it to page Ryder to bring to the Clerk.