Pickering strongly urges Ford government to raise OW and ODSP payments

Motion

WHEREAS individuals and families receiving income support through Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) are facing increasing challenges in meeting basic needs due to rising costs of living;

And Whereas Statistics Canada notes that people with disabilities have a higher poverty rate and a lower rate of employment than the overall population;

And Whereas the annual income support for Ontario Works is currently $8,796.00 and $16,416.00 for Ontario Disability Support Program. These supports have not increased sufficiently to keep up with inflation and the cost of living. Such costs are anticipated to continue increasing;

And Whereas the low income measure for a single person in Greater Toronto Area is estimated to be approximately $27,343 annually, and the deep income poverty threshold is determined to be $20,508;

And Whereas Food Banks, including our local Food Banks, provide a necessary service with increasing demands in our communities;

And Whereas the Pickering Food Bank served 1,722 adults, and 1,054 children in February 2025;

And Whereas food banks are already reducing their distribution capacity; and it is anticipated that due to developing economic circumstances, such as the current tariff war, there will be increased unemployment, increased food prices, and a heightened demand for food distribution, while donations continue to decline;

And Whereas these economic trends will continue to erode the purchasing power of OW and ODSP recipients, increasing reliance on food banks and placing additional pressure on municipalities and community organizations;

Now therefore it be resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering directs through the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer:

That staff send a letter to the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Finance, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, to strongly urge that the Ontario Provincial Government significantly raise the payments of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program and the increases be reflected in the upcoming Provincial Budget and that the increased amount aligns with inflationary costs and thereby decrease the pressure on food banks and the reliance on municipalities and taxpayers to supplement the gap in financial need; and,

That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), the Regional Municipality of Durham, all Municipalities in the Province of Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for their endorsement and advocacy.