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Scope of the Ontario Income Security Review

The Social Assistance Review Advisory Council was asked to report on the “scope and terms of reference that would guide the development of the social assistance review.” But social assistance is at the bottom of the hierarchy of income security programs. A review of social assistance for working age adults without also accounting for the impact of other programs that surround it at all levels of government would be too narrow and would not address the pressing needs of Ontarians. Other programs that should be examined in the review include: Employment Insurance, the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, federal and provincial child benefits and other tax and income security programs operated by the federal and Ontario governments.

Employment Insurance: In 2009, only 37.9 percent of unemployed workers in Ontario received regular Employment Insurance benefits. Ontario, with its younger and newer population, has many immigrants, new labour market entrants and re-entrants, many of whom do not qualify for Employment Insurance. As it stands, Employment Insurance is not doing its job and increasing numbers of unemployed workers have nowhere else to turn but to social assistance with its maze of rules, including stripping away most assets. Ontario Works is not an appropriate alternative for these workers.

Disabilities: Similarly, many working-age persons with disabilities have no other means of obtaining needed income and services, or access to programs such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits. They have no choice but the Ontario Disability Support Program.

As such, the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council recommends the Ontario government initiate an Income Security Review with the goal of transforming the current outdated models of social assistance. The goal of the review should be to develop a detailed road map with key milestones that lays out the core steps required to achieve a comprehensive, modernized income security system.

The Income Security Review should undertake a comprehensive assessment of income security, employment and social supports for working-age adults. It should include federal programs such as Employment Insurance, provincial programs such as Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program, as well as local and community roles. The review should also include a plan to deal with financial and other mechanisms required to navigate through a changed income security system.

It is our hope that a new income security system will act as a springboard to opportunity, help ensure jobs provide real pathways out of poverty, and support Ontarians in good times and bad through liveable incomes, employment and related services, so people can get back on their feet and participate in their community.