Letter to the Editor
The Toronto Star
March 14, 2006
Increase social assistance rates
RE: Queen's Park ignoring looming health crisis
Opinion, March 10, 2006
The article by Gary Bloch and Kathy Hardill should be a wake-up call to our entire community and cause us all to become advocates for individuals who are in receipt of social assistance benefits in Ontario. The article is a poignant reminder of the daily struggle for survival that many of the most vulnerable members of our society encounter as they seek to raise their families, have a meaningful quality of life and participate fully in society. Plus, they must do so while dealing with an inadequate income and the emotional stress caused by financial hardship, wondering if they will be able to provide for their families.
The preamble of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act states, "The government of Ontario is committed to working with every sector of society to build on what it has already achieved together with those sectors and to move toward a province in which no new barriers are created and existing ones are removed. This responsibility rests with every social and economic sector, every region, every government, every organization, institution and association and every person in Ontario."
It is time for our provincial government to recognize that poverty is a real and formidable barrier to full social participation for people with disabilities, and move quickly, as promised by law, to eradicate it. If "the government of Ontario believes that it is desirable to demonstrate continued leadership in improving opportunities for persons with disabilities" then let's see these words become reality through a meaningful action plan. We ask that the government illustrate its commitment to people with disabilities, including those with mental illness, by restoring funding for the special diet supplement and significantly increasing social assistance rates in the coming budget. By doing so, it will surely enhance the quality of life of all individuals with disabilities by diminishing the insidious health damaging consequences of poverty.
David Simpson, Director
Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office, Toronto
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