Minister MacLeod, what are you thinking?

RE: CANCELLATION OF THE BASIC INCOME PROGRAM

I was not surprised but greatly concerned when Lisa MacLeod, minister of children, community and social services announced last week that the new PC government will develop a “reformed” social assistance program within 100 days, the annual social assistance increase will be cut to 1.5 per cent and Ontario’s basic income pilot project will be cancelled before the project and research is complete.

I worked in the social assistance program for many years under Liberal, Progressive Conservative and NDP governments as both a provincial and municipal employee, so I speak from experience and knowledge of the province’s complex social assistance system.

I am especially discouraged and puzzled by the heartless cancellation of the basic income pilot project.

We have read in the Spectator how this program has given hope and improved the lives of project participants with much needed basics such as a new winter coat, sustainable rental housing and plans to enter a training program that didn’t seem possible in the past.

New-found hope for the project participants has been dashed. I am puzzled because this decision by the PC government just doesn’t make good business sense.

Both Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program have high administrative costs. Indirect costs related to poverty are far reaching in areas such as the health-care system and paramedic and police services, as demonstrated in the Spectator’s Code Red Series.

There are many programs funded by the province and municipalities that have been developed to subsidize low social assistance rates such as social housing, homelessness programs and food banks. The decision to cancel the research project shows a lack of courage and vision, and no understanding of the big picture from both a social and budgetary perspective.

In her announcement, MacLeod states that social assistance is about compassion for people in need. So far, her decisions seem punitive, simplistic and politically opportunistic.

Gillian Hendry, Hamilton