A comprehensive package of reforms to encourage employment, restore people’s dignity and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from poverty has been rolled out by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Last year, more than 450,000 people – recipients and their dependents – received assistance through Ontario Works. Delivered through municipal and First Nations governments, Ontario Works provides temporary financial assistance while helping recipients find jobs and become self-reliant.
The Auditor General of Ontario recently investigated the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ontario Works program. The findings from Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk do not paint a pretty picture:
* Since the last audit in 2009, the average monthly number of Ontario Works cases increased by almost 25 per cent from 202,000 to 250,000 by 2017/18.
*The average length of time people depended on Ontario Works doubled, going from 19 months to almost three years.
* Service managers identified 36 per cent of recipients have barriers affecting employability, such as homelessness and mental health issues.
* In each of the last five years, Ontario Works only helped 10 to 13 per cent of recipient cases to find jobs, and only one per cent re-enter the workforce in a given month.
* Costs of the Ontario Works program increased more than 55 per cent since the last audit in 2009 – an increase from $1.9 billion to almost $3 billion.
Auditor General Lysyk concluded the ministry oversight of Ontario Works and service managers is “ineffective” with much of her criticism directed at programs to find employment. She also said the ministry is not tracking whether service providers are completing financial reassessments on time, and if they are investigating fraud tips. On average, fraud investigation is a year behind.
Designed to offer a coordinated multi-ministry approach, the government’s reforms will reduce red tape and unnecessary rules, and support individual action plans to establish self-reliance. Measured and carefully implemented changes will ensure minimal disruption for those on the system.
Several priorities will guide the reforms. One priority will be moving people to employment by reducing administration and paperwork so people receiving Ontario Works, as well as frontline staff, can focus on individual action plans that set out a path to health, wellness and preparation to return to work. Local responsiveness and flexibility will help job seekers reach their potential.
Once redesigned, The Ontario Disability Support Program will provide annualized income support with fewer reporting requirements.
A simplified system will focus on improving outcomes by reducing administration, cutting unnecessary rules and restoring service accountability.
Ontario’s social assistance system has not seen significant change in over 10 years. Change will occur gradually to update the system so it can better meet the needs of those who need it the most. As a first step, the government will work closely with municipalities to develop a plan to phase in changes, giving them flexibility to meet local needs in the context of their local economies. There will be consultation with First Nations to develop a specific approach for social assistance and employment services.
The province has also launched a web site, Ontario.ca/openforbusiness to make matching job seekers with businesses easier. For the Silo, Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand Norfolk.
MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is heartened to see the Fall Economic Statement (FES) contains some Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) adjustments for which she has often advocated.
“Allowing ODSP clients to keep more of their hard-earned money is great news and one of the biggest steps forward in years,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Brady. “This is something for which I have long advocated—and it was part of my platform.”
Highlights of ODSP in the Fall Economic Statement:
Making changes that would allow a person with a disability on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) to keep more of the money they earn by increasing the monthly earnings exemption from $200 to $1,000 per month. This would allow the approximately 25,000 individuals currently in the workforce to keep more of their earnings and could encourage as many as 25,000 more to participate in the workforce.
Brady was disappointed that ODSP rates being tied to the inflation rate won’t begin until July 2023.
For more information, contact MPP Bobbi Ann Brady at
babrady-co@ola.org or 519-428-0446 Please mention the Silo when contacting.
UPDATE APRIL 2022 Changing laws to accommodate changing Ontario workplaces
-The future of work is here.
Your Ontario government is pivoting to chart a course that leaves no one behind. We’re making changes that will put Ontario workers and their families first for generations to come.
We are laying the foundation for opportunity and prosperity. This means taking immediate action to plan for the future. While many places are just starting to rebuild from the pandemic, we are already thinking ahead to what the next 10 or 20 years will look like. We’re thinking about the workplaces of the future, and what we can for our children and grandchildren.
We have introduced additional labour legislation—the Working for Workers Act, 2022. This proposed law builds on the important measures passed last year in our previous bill. That bill protects families by providing family time, requiring most workplaces to have a written policy on disconnecting from work, helping ensure more workers can unplug at the end of the day.
Our most recent legislation would help attract more talent, help skilled workers find good jobs, and ensure employers can find the qualified workers they need to prosper and grow.
Last fall, there were well over 300,000 vacant jobs across Ontario, including many in the skilled trades. These unfilled jobs cost Ontario billions in lost productivity. Worker shortages impact our economy and disrupt our supply chains and services. Worse, unfilled jobs can force companies to close or relocate. That’s why we are proposing to make it easier for workers from other provinces and territories to come to Ontario.
Under our proposed legislation, workers from other provinces and territories would get their credentials processed within 30 business days, making it easier to fill vacant jobs and drive growth.
On another note, Canada has a proud military tradition, and our 11,000 Ontario reservists are an integral part of that. Reservists bravely serve on the frontlines during times of crisis, both at home and abroad. We rely on them to provide support and protection.
These dedicated men and women selflessly put their lives on hold to protect our freedom. Whether they are training or deployed in an operation, their day jobs should be waiting for them when they return. It’s shameful that many reservists must use their vacation time to serve our country.
That’s why we are proposing to expand job-protected reservist leave—which already covers deployments—to cover time away for military skills training and cut in half the time they must be employed in their day job to qualify for the leave.
The landscape of work is shifting quickly, especially since the dawn of Covid, and our laws and protections not only need to keep up but set the pace.
Despite workplace changes, some things remain the same. We know people need to feel confident they can support their families and provide for the future. We also know they want well-paying jobs, where they have their employment rights protected and have an opportunity for growth and advancement.
Ontario must continue to be a leader in protecting workers. This recent Working for Workers Act will ensure workers’ needs are supported, their health and safety will be prioritized, and their rights are protected. These changes will help keep and attract the best talent and ensure Ontario’s economy remains strong.
Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk
QUEEN’S PARK – A new report from the Ministry of Education
shows 395 licensed child care spaces were created in Haldimand-Norfolk by public and/or private sector child care providers in 2018-19.
These additional spaces will assist parents in having more choice for child care in the [Haldimand-Norfolk] riding.
Across Ontario, over 19,000 licensed child care spaces were created during that same time period.
Research demonstrates a clear link between a solid foundation in children’s early
years and their long-term development and success. That is why Ontario is committed
to improving access to child care, giving parents more choice and making high
quality programs affordable.
“Our government is committed to making life easier for families and that means
improving access to child care options,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “The
creation of over 19,000 new child care spaces means that more families will be able
to choose the kind of care that is best for their children so they can go to work,
run a business or study to acquire new skills.”
“The creation of new child care spaces – by both the public and private sectors – is
great news for the families of this province,” said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister
of Children and Women’s Issues. “Our government is taking an inclusive approach to
helping them succeed and remains committed to providing child care options to meet
the diversity of needs across Ontario.”
In 2019, Ontario announced new steps to improve access to child care options for, which will provide approximately
parents. The government will commit up to $1 billion over five years to create up to
30,000 new child care spaces in schools across the province. As well, the government
introduced the new Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses (CARE) tax
credit
300,000 families with up to 75% of their eligible child care expenses.
QUICK FACTS
§ Ontario’s total 2019-20 budget for child care and early years is more than $2
billion.
§ In addition to the child care tax credit, the Child Care Expense Deduction
provides added tax relief for eligible child care expenses.
§ The province has allocated $208 million in 2019 to help retain Registered Early
Childhood Educators within Ontario’s child care system, and support access to
stable, high-quality child care programs.
§ In 2018-19, Ontario received $146.3 million in federal funding under the
Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
LEARN MORE
Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Annual Report
2019
For more information, contact me, MPP Toby Barrett, at 519-428-0446 or
toby.barrett@pc.ola.org Please mention The Silo when contacting.