MPP accuses government of refusing to raise social assistance rates
Niagara Falls' MPP says people are dying on the streets because of the affordability crisis.
Wayne Gates told the Ontario legislature yesterday there is historic use of food banks.
"In Niagara Falls, Project Share food bank served more than 11,000 people, that's one in every eight residents... think about that. And it represents a 71% increase from the year before."
But, Minister of Social Services Michael Parsa listed a number of tax relief incentives, and rebutted NDP claims about social assistance, saying another $1.2-billion has been spent. "The member referenced social assistance... we increased ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) rates highest in the history of the program by 5%, indexed it to inflation, which as a result is now nearly 12% in less than one year."
Gates accused the government of spending $650-million on a private spa, referencing work done on Ontario Place.
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