New approach needed to social assistance that is fair, less bureaucratic and removes barriers to work

Statement from GPO leader Mike Schreiner on the report from the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario

“Ontario needs a new approach to social assistance that is fair, less bureaucratic and removes barriers to work.  The Green Party welcomes today’s report from the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario. 
 
The report makes it clear that social assistance programs are in need of significant reform. The status quo isn’t working, and Ontario must do better.
 
The Green Party is committed to ensuring that people receive the support they need when they need it. We are determined to push for improved ways of assisting Ontarians by removing barriers to meaningful employment, ending clawbacks, and reducing bureaucracy by moving to a simpler, more integrated system focused on the needs of recipients.
 
We especially need to move to a fair system with a basic measure of adequacy that meets people’s needs for a dignified quality of life. Recommendation 28 from the report provides a road map to achieve this. 
 
We will push for action on these recommendations and are committed to working for a better social assistance system.”