Ontario NDP MPPs to live on ‘social assistance diet’ for two weeks as push to double ODSP and OW rates

Ontario NDP says its MPPs will live on a “social assistance diet” for two weeks as part of a push to double Ontario’s ODSP and OW rates.

Chandra Pasma, NDP critic for Poverty and Homelessness Reduction; Monique Taylor, critic for Community and Social Services; Lise Vaugeois, critic for Persons with Disabilities and Accessibility; Jessica Bell (University—Rosedale) and Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) will eat only what they can buy with $95.21 for two weeks, which works out to an average of $47.60 per week, from Sept. 6 to 19.

“Recipients of ODSP and OW have been clear that the rates are far too low,” said Taylor, in a statement. “We’re in an affordability crisis: the cost of food was up 9.7 per cent in July, food banks are seeing record usage, and housing costs were up 7.4 percent. An extra $58, if that, is a drop in the bucket.”

The MPPs are also inviting the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, Merrilee Fullerton, to join them in the experience.

In 1982, former NDP MPP Richard Johnston also lived on a social assistance grocery budget for one month.