Where’s welfare reform?
June 27 | Editorial The Toronto Star Three months ago, Premier Dalton McGuinty acknowledged that our welfare rules “stomp” people into the ground, hurting them and Ontario’s economy. He was right. So where is the government’s promised review of our outdated and mean-spirited social assistance system? Queen’s Park has been so silent on this matter – refusing to say how broad the review will be or even commit to a start date – that anti-poverty advocates held a forum earlier this week to try to breathe life into the government’s pledge. Provincial officials are well aware of the problems with our welfare system, which forces people to strip their assets before they can receive assistance and then provides insufficient benefits for them to live with any dignity, let alone put their lives back together. Children’s Minister Deb Matthews, who heads the province’s anti-poverty efforts, heard all about the inadequacy of welfare and income supports for the disabled during consultations last yea
