A comprehensive package of reforms to encourage employment, restore people’s dignity and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from poverty has been rolled out by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
Last year, more than 450,000 people – recipients and their dependents – received assistance through Ontario Works. Delivered through municipal and First Nations governments, Ontario Works provides temporary financial assistance while helping recipients find jobs and become self-reliant.
The Auditor General of Ontario recently investigated the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ontario Works program. The findings from Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk do not paint a pretty picture:
* Since the last audit in 2009, the average monthly number of Ontario Works cases increased by almost 25 per cent from 202,000 to 250,000 by 2017/18.
*The average length of time people depended on Ontario Works doubled, going from 19 months to almost three years.
* Service managers identified 36 per cent of recipients have barriers affecting employability, such as homelessness and mental health issues.
* In each of the last five years, Ontario Works only helped 10 to 13 per cent of recipient cases to find jobs, and only one per cent re-enter the workforce in a given month.
* Costs of the Ontario Works program increased more than 55 per cent since the last audit in 2009 – an increase from $1.9 billion to almost $3 billion.
Auditor General Lysyk concluded the ministry oversight of Ontario Works and service managers is “ineffective” with much of her criticism directed at programs to find employment. She also said the ministry is not tracking whether service providers are completing financial reassessments on time, and if they are investigating fraud tips. On average, fraud investigation is a year behind.
Designed to offer a coordinated multi-ministry approach, the government’s reforms will reduce red tape and unnecessary rules, and support individual action plans to establish self-reliance. Measured and carefully implemented changes will ensure minimal disruption for those on the system.
Several priorities will guide the reforms. One priority will be moving people to employment by reducing administration and paperwork so people receiving Ontario Works, as well as frontline staff, can focus on individual action plans that set out a path to health, wellness and preparation to return to work. Local responsiveness and flexibility will help job seekers reach their potential.
Once redesigned, The Ontario Disability Support Program will provide annualized income support with fewer reporting requirements.
A simplified system will focus on improving outcomes by reducing administration, cutting unnecessary rules and restoring service accountability.
Ontario’s social assistance system has not seen significant change in over 10 years. Change will occur gradually to update the system so it can better meet the needs of those who need it the most. As a first step, the government will work closely with municipalities to develop a plan to phase in changes, giving them flexibility to meet local needs in the context of their local economies. There will be consultation with First Nations to develop a specific approach for social assistance and employment services.
The province has also launched a web site, Ontario.ca/openforbusiness to make matching job seekers with businesses easier. For the Silo, Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand Norfolk.
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