The Coalition had an opportunity to meet with members of the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC) in late January, and to present them with a list of quick changes that could be made to some of the "stupid rules" in ODSP.  This Council was recently appointed by the government to give advice on two things:  some "quick fix" changes to counterproductive rules, and the mandate and scope of a more conprehensive social assistance review to be carried out later this year.

The time to change ODSP is NOW! Are you on ODSP?  Are you related to or a friend of an ODSP recipient?  Do you work with people on ODSP?  The ODSP Action Coalition is collecting personal stories from people about the challenges of living on ODSP.We will use these stories to:

The ODSP Action Coalition is requesting individuals and groups to endorse our Disability Declaration.  The Declaration sets out some of the rights that people with disabilities have according to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and then states what changes the Ontario government needs to make to ODSP to fulfill those rights.  Although Canada has not yet ratified the Convention, the Coalition beleives it is important for people with disabilities and organizations that work with them to use it in articulating how and why their needs must be met. 

On April 2 and 3 the Coalition held a strategy planning session entitled "Leading the Way: A Poverty Reduction Strategy for People with Disabilities."  Over 100 participants,  half of whom were ODSP recipients and half community agency workers, enthusiastically shared their ideas about what is wrong with the current ODSP program, what a better system of support for people with disbilities would be like, and what the ODSP Action Coalition should do to try to get that better system.  The conference report is now available.

Leading the Way Forum Report

The ODSP Aciton Coalition's conference held on April 2nd and 3rd, called "Leading the Way:  A Poverty Reduction Strategy for People with Disabilities"  got attention in the newspaper and in the provincial legislature. The Minister of Community and Social Services was asked a question about the Coalition the day before our conference started; the reply indicated that the government intends to consult the Coalition and our supporters about the social assistance review which is to be done as part of the poverty reduction strategy.  We wrote to Minister Meilleur and Matthews following the conference to report on what a success our conference was, and ask for more details about the social assistance review.

Also, Carol Goar, edictorial columnist for the Toronto Star, attended the conference and summarized many of the issues we were discussing by quoting from participants in our Friday morning workshops. 

While the Ontario government has presented a poverty reduction strategy with a commitment to reduce child poverty by 25% in 5 years, it needs more action for people with disabilities. 

At this conference we will discuss:

Members of the ODSP Action Coalition were disappointed in the lack of concrete measures to help lift people with disabilities out of poverty to be found in the Ontario government's Poverty Reduction Strategy, released on December 4, 2009.  The government has targets and measurements related to child poverty, but does not seem interested in any action on the needs of people with disabilities or other adults without dependent children.  However, they have committed to review Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program, to get rid of "stupid rules" that create barriers to independence.  Our Coalition will have a lot to contribute to show what changes should be made to allow people with disabilities to participate more--not just in employment, but to live with dignity in society.

The ODSP Action Coalition attended a consultation held by Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan in November.  We asked that the budget include a significant downpayment on the province's Poverty Reduciton Strategy, arguing that the best way to stimulate the economy is to put more income into the hands of people who need it, and will spend it in their local communities.  Many other groups also said that the budget should include significant spending to demonstrate the government's real commitment to poverty reduction. 

Coalition's Submission on 2009 Budget (MS Word document)

The Finance Department is still accepting written input into the budget until January 31, 2009.  We encourage supporters of real action on poverty reduction to go to this web site and send in your opinions: 

The Coalition has responded to Premier Dalton McGuinty's recent comments stating that the government will delay the implementation of its poverty reduction strategy because of the economic situation.  We wrote to the Premier and all members of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, stating that it is precisely because of the economic downturn that action on poverty reduction is more important than ever.  Providing better support to low income people would help stimulate the economy.  Coalition activists who live on ODSP added their own powerful reasons why people with disabilities can't wait.

We urge everyone who supports real action on the anti-poverty strategy to send your own version of our letter to your MPP.  Better yet, call or visit your representative, adding your own personal story.

The ODSP Action Coalition's submission to the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction outlines our initial recommendations for making ODSP a program that actually meets the challenge of providing supports for people with disabilites in Ontario. 

Poverty Reduction Submission (MS Word document)

Along with our main submission we also provided the Cabinet Committee with a copy of our recent report 'If it's Still Broke, Fix It:  Reducing Poverty by Improving the Ontario Disability Support Program.

'If it's Still Broke, Fix It':  Reducing Poverty by Improving the Ontario Disability Support Program. (MS Word document)

The Ontario government has announced that it will develop a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy for Ontario by the end of 2008, including specific targets and timelines. The initial focus will be on child poverty. Government consultations are being held in May and June. It's time to speak up for people with disabilities!

Find out how to get involved (MS Word document)

Ontario Government Poverty Reduction Website(Link)

Ontario Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction(Link)

The ODSP Action Coalition met with Education Minister Kathleen Wynn on Feb. 29, 2008 and with staff in the office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services on April 23rd. The Coalition also participated in the 2008 pre-budget consultations held by the Finance Minister and the Standing Committee on finance and Economic Affairs and in the Ontario budget lock-up on March 25th. The Coalition has also requested meetings with Premier Dalton McGuinty, Deb Matthews, chair of the government's Cabinet Committee on Poverty Recduction and Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services.

Letter to Premier McGuinty, January 2008 (MS Word document)

The ODSP Access Committee has completed a survey of ODSP recipients about access concerns with the ODSP. The Access Committee believes there are a number of important themes that emerge from the survey results, including that ODSP needs to be more proactive in meeting recipients' needs and to improve in providing information to recipients, both about the ODSP as well as community resources.

Speaking up on ODSP! is the theme for the Coalition's work for 2008.  We will be working to have the concerns of ODSP recipients and applicants included in the government's poverty reduction strategy.  The inadequate rates, access to ODSP including all of its benefits and employment supports remain concerns for the Coalition.  We will continue to work together towards the day when disability does not mean a life of poverty. 

The 2007 conference was attended by about 100 people over two days.  The first day was to help people further develop skills to tell the stories of what life is really like on ODSP.  The second day we planned our priorities and how to work together to push the government to improve ODSP.           

The Coalition has received responses from the Liberals, the NDP and the Conservatives to the letter we sent out in the summer (our letter, endorsed by over 40 organizations, is attached below: "Coalition Asks Ontario Parties to Address ODSP Issues").

The Liberals did not specifically address the four key points, but rather just summarized their election promises related to child poverty, housing and homelessness.  The NDP did actually address our questions about raising ODSP and OW rates, an independent commission to set the rates, faster implementation of the Ontario Child Benefit, and the need for an accessbility audit. 

We hope every person who shares the concerns of the Coalition is able to attend at least one all-candidates meeting to raise these questions. 

The ODSP Action Coalition has written to the Ontario political parties asking them to respond to the four key concerns of our members:  the need to raise ODSP and OW rates; creation of an independent commission to set social asssitance rates according to the real cost of living; speeding up the implementation of the Ontario Child Benefit; and doing an Accessibility Audit to identify and remove barriers to access to ODSP for people with disabilities.

Our letter to the parties has been endorsed by 40 large and small organizations representing many thousands of people with disabilities and their families.  We will post the parties' responses in order to help you make an informed choice on election day.

Ontario is having an election on October 10th, 2007. Help the ODSP Action Coalition put disability and poverty issues in the spotlight. Use the ODSP Action Coalition's Election Kit to talk to candidates and the media in your community. The kit includes the Coalition's key messages, questions to ask at all-candidates meetings and backgrounders to distribute in your community.  There are also suggestions for getting disability and poverty issues into your local media. And don't forget to vote! 

ODSP Action Coalition election messages (MS Word document)

People with Disabilities Left in Poverty by Ontario Budget

People who need income support from the Ontario Disability Support Program will still find it next to impossible to pay their rent, eat a nutritious diet and cover their other basic needs after Finance Minister Sorbara’s budget comes into effect. “This budget does not treat people who cannot work due to illness or disability with the dignity they deserve,” says Nancy Vander Plaats, chair of the ODSP Action Coalition. 

The provincial budget will be announced at 4 pm on Thursday, March 22nd. Anti-poverty issues are expected to be a key theme. Read the ODSP Action Coalition's pre-budget submission and a letter we sent to MPP Jim Watson that argues for increases to social assistance rates. Watch the budget speech live on the Ontario Parliamentary channel on Cable 105 or by internet: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/ontariobudgets/2007/index.html.