‘Poverty picnics’ call on the Ontario government to double social assistance rates

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Push to increase social assistance payments

‘Poverty picnic’ protest in Kitchener

Advocates are putting pressure on the Ontario government to at least double the amount of money people on social assistance programs receive.

Chapters of ACORN, as known as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, organized what they called “poverty picnics” in six cities across the province on Tuesday. They set up picnic blankets, empty plates and lawn chairs outside the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW) offices in Kitchener, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London and Brampton. They said the displays were a physical representation of food insecurity.

ACORN’s demands included raising ODSP and OW to at least double the current rates, index the rate to inflation permanently, match the housing allowance to market rent by city, and end spousal income and benefit clawbacks.

Earlier this year, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who was running for re-election at the time, faced criticism for comments he made about the ODSP program.

At a campaign stop in Scarborough, he was asked if he would commit to doubling the program’s rates.

“You know what I don’t like? And I have no problem taking care of people on Ontario Works. Healthy young people that are sitting on the couch watching the Flintstones, they should be out there, they should be working.” Ford said.

This past July, ODSP recipients got a 2.8 per cent increase as an inflation-based adjustment.

The province also changed ODSP and OW regulations to ensure Canada Disability Benefit payments would not be considered income for tax purposes. That meant monthly ODSP and OW payments would not be reduced if they also received money through the federal program.

How much are ODSP and OW payments?

According to the provincial government’s website, eligible residents can receiving up to $1,408 a month through ODSP. Single people can getup to $733 a month for basic needs and shelter through OW, plus additional funds for benefits and other immediate family members.

According to Statistics Canada, the monthly poverty line for a single person in Ontario in 2024 was approximately $2,221.