Jessica Bell MPP, University–Rosedale

Government of Ontario

End legislated poverty. Double assistance rates now.

Published on September 7, 2022

For the 900,000 Ontarians who live on social assistance (ODSP or OW), the atrociously low rates make it impossible to afford necessities, such as food, shelter or medicine. Ford's Conservatives promised to raise ODSP rates by a paltry 5%, which amounts to an additional $58 per month per recipient—a drop in the bucket. Ontario Works recipients have had their rates frozen at just $733 per month.

Over the next two weeks I’ll be living on a welfare diet of $47.60 a week, joining my colleagues MPPs Vaugeois, Harden, and Taylor. Our plan is to draw attention to the 900,000 people living on poverty-level Ontario Disability and Ontario Works payments, who have been ignored by governments for too long. You can follow my progress here

Here’s how you help 

Send a message 

Tell Minister Fullerton to join our welfare diet and double social assistance rates. You can download a paper petition to collect signatures for me to be read in the legislature here

Donate to a local group

ODSP Action Coalition 
Avenue Road Food Bank
Fort York Food Bank
Sistering
Spadina Fort York Community Care 

Make the case

To help me pressure the Conservative government to raise the rates, I will be highlighting the experiences of residents who live on social assistance, as well as those of us, who help people on social assistance, in the legislature. If you have a story to share please email us or call at 416 535 7206.