Documents reveal Ontario has no immediate plans to increase ODSP, OW funds despite 'steadily growing' caseload

The province has no immediate plans to increase funding for social assistance programs despite a 15-year “steadily growing caseload,” according to documents obtained through a freedom of information request.

The province has no immediate plans to increase funding for social assistance programs such as the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or the Ontario Works (OW) program despite a 15-year “steadily growing caseload,” documents obtained through a freedom of information request suggest.

A report, included in the transition binder of Minister of Children, Community and Social Service Michael Parsa and reviewed by CTV News Toronto, says funding provided through both these programs are a “last resort support” to individuals in financial need.

The report makes no specific mention of any plans to increase the funding for the programs, noting instead that “increases to rates and benefits to reflect inflation and cost of living will drive additional costs” in the years to come.

Almost 900,000 people are receiving funding through one of the province’s social assistance programs, representing about 6.9 per cent of the province’s population. This number has “steadily” increased over the last 15 years, the documents read, and is expected to further grow with the uncertain impact of the pandemic.

“Since social assistance is an entitlement program, there is limited ability to control costs without changing rules,” the documents say.

“To date, efforts to bend the cost curve have focused on how to improve client outcomes to reduce the need for financial assistance.”

As part of the Doug Ford re-election campaign, the Progressive Conservatives pledged to increase ODSP payments by five per cent, which would add about $58 a month to a recipient’s paycheck.