Welfare overhaul to focus on finding jobs
But minister assures plan will not revive Harris-era workfare programs
Welfare reforms coming soon from Premier Doug Ford’s government will put more emphasis on helping recipients find jobs, Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod says.
But she ruled out a return to “workfare” programs like the ones implemented by the former Progressive Conservative government under premier Mike Harris in the late 1990s, saying that is “not at all” on the agenda.
The cost to taxpayers of providing social assistance is getting too high and will keep ris- ing unless a new approach is taken, MacLeod signalled Wednesday.
“The program is almost $10 billion and it’s set to continue. It’s not working. It’s been disjointed. It’s been patchwork,” she told reporters after a report by food banks suggested food bank use is up 14 per cent since 2008, with heavier use in inner suburbs like Etobicoke.
MacLeod said people on Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program should not be afraid of the overhaul to the welfare system.
“They have to understand my motivation is very clear on this, that we want to lift people up and give them the best possible outcomes…if they can work, we want to make sure we have front-line staff supporting them in that endeavour. If they can’t work we want to make sure they have broader supports in place to protect them.” Under workfare, able-bodied recipients of welfare had to participate in either training or job placements.
MacLeod did not provide details of the new program, which has been developed as the government prepares to cut a promised $6 billion in annual spending by finding what Ford calls “efficiencies.”
“It’s really important that we look at the whole person and really help them and support them getting back on track.”
Opposition parties expressed skepticism, saying a government that has frozen the minimum wage at $14 hourly — blocking a rise to $15 in January — is clawing back two paid sick days from workers, axed the basic income research project and halved a planned 3 per cent welfare increase in September is not likely to be a friend of people on welfare.
“It’s hard to be hopeful,” said interim Liberal leader John Fraser, who was part of Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government that raised the minimum wage and welfare rates.
“Where are the $6 billion in savings coming from?” Fraser asked. “It’s an easy target…the people who are the most vulnerable.”
MacLeod promised an overhaul of the welfare system during the summer, saying the government needs to make it more “sustainable” and branding the basic income pilot program a “disincentive” for people to find jobs.
“When you’re encouraging people to accept money without strings attached, it really doesn’t send a message that our ministry and our government want to send,” she said.
Ontario’s pilot project provided 4,000 low-income residents in Hamilton-Brantford, Thunder Bay and Lindsay with a steady income of $16,989, and up to $24,027 for couples, while researchers looked at how it affected their lives.