Progressive Conservatives in Ontario on Monday pledged to increase disability rates for people with disabilities by five percent if re-elected, a promise not in their recent budget, which serves as their platform.
PC leader Doug Ford did not make the announcement in person during the campaign, but said in a statement that his party would spend $ 425 million for a 5 percent increase and introduce legislation to increase ODSP rates annually.
“As the cost of living rises, we want to give more support to vulnerable people in Ontario so they can pay for what they need to live,” he wrote.
Prices have been frozen since 2018, with one person at ODSP earning up to $ 1,169 a month for basic necessities and shelter.
Proponents say this is too low and the level of support will remain well below what is needed, even with the increases promised by all three main parties.
“Most people in the ODSP I know eat only one meal a day,” said Trevor Manson, secretary and co-chair of the ODSP Action Coalition.
“That’s all they can afford in essence, if that … If you consider the cost of housing, even $ 1,400 still leaves people with only a few hundred dollars a month for food and everything else.”
In addition, it is still below the poverty line, Manson said.
The support of about $ 1,400 a month is an increase of about 20 percent, which the NDP promises. They also promise to the legislature increases related to inflation.
Ontario Liberals promise to raise interest rates by 10 percent this year
Liberals promise to increase interest rates by 10% this year, by another 10% next year and by 2% annually thereafter.
Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca said his party also promised accessibility measures that would help, such as removing the provincial portion of the HST from prepared food below $ 20, converting transit traffic from 1 to 2024 and restoring pilot project for basic income.
“I think when you look at the whole picture, these are important steps in the right direction,” Del Duca said at the launch of his platform on Thursday.
Ontario Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca spoke in Toronto on Monday. Liberals promise to increase interest rates by 10% this year, by another 10% next year and by 2% annually thereafter. (Evan Mitsui / CBC)
“Do I think that’s the whole answer forever and ever?” Not necessarily. But I think it’s an important and tangible first step when you look at the whole picture. “
Economist Mike Moffat has calculated that the proposals of the Progressive Conservatives, Liberals and the NDP will still receive less support for ODSP recipients than previous Progressive Conservative Prime Ministers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, when adjusted for inflation.
The Greens say they would double ODSP rates. Manson said this was clearly the plan that ODSP recipients liked best, although they acknowledged that the Greens would not form a government.
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But it comes down to respect and treating people as more than their value in the job market, Manson said.
He said the federal government’s pandemic emergency response program in Canada is opening the eyes of people with disabilities.
When the federal government chose $ 2,000 a month as a benchmark for people to make ends meet, people with disabilities who can’t work sit here and say, “Well, how can able-bodied people who can?” gets $ 2,000 a month, but someone with a disability who can’t work only gets $ 1,169? ”he said.
“That tells us we cost half the amount of a working man.”
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