Social Assistance Review

In the 2008 Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Ontario government committed to reviewing social assistance, with a focus on removing barriers and increasing opportunities for people to work. Subsequently in November 2010, the government announced the appointment of Frances Lankin and Munir A. Sheikh to lead the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario.

The Commission is tasked with carrying out a comprehensive review, and in June 2012 providing the government with specific recommendations and a concrete action plan for reforming the social assistance system.

Outcomes of the Review

The Terms of Reference for the Commission identify five specific outcomes for the review. Specifically, it indicates that “the review will make recommendations that will enable government to:

• Establish an appropriate benefit structure that reduces barriers and supports people’s transition into, and attachment within, the labour market
• Place reasonable expectations on, and provide supports for, people who rely on social assistance with respect to active engagement in the labour market and participation in treatment and rehabilitation
• Simplify income and asset rules to improve equity and make it easier to understand and administer social assistance
• Ensure the long-term viability of the social assistance system
• Define Ontario’s position vis-à-vis the federal and municipal governments as it relates to income security for Ontarians
  

In February 2012 The Guelph Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination put out a challenge to community groups to respond to the Commission’s Discussion Paper 2: Approaches to Reform.

CFUW Guelph’s Issues and Action Group took up this challenge. We studied the options outlined in the paper and formulated a response using a human rights and gender equity lens. Our response has been approved by the Executive Committee and has been forwarded to the Commission. You can view our response by clicking here.