Here are resources recommended for and by ESC members which may be helpful in preparing and planning for anticipated changes to social assistance and other provincial service reforms.
We will add resources to this list as recommended, so please send us your suggestions for other documents and resources that you are reviewing, so that we can share as a network: carol@esc.network. Please check back here for updates and additions.
April 2019
Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Protect What Matters Most
Budget Analysis and Response:
Thoughts on the Ontario Budget (ONESTEP): Ontario Network of Employment Skills Training Projects
Budget Message to OCASI Members: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
New: What Changing the ODSP Definition of Disability Would Mean (Income Security Advocacy Centre, Dec. 2018)
New: 2018 Annual Report – Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. The chapter on Ontario Works can be found here …
New: Changes to social assistance: What Was Announced, What It Means, and What’s Next. (Webinar: Income Security Advocacy Centre)
Link to the Ontario Social Assistance announcement by both the Minister for Children, Community and Social Services and the Minister for Training Colleges and Universities
CBC Live Stream: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-social-assistance-plan-1.4915315
Sector Responses to the Fall Economic Statement:
- Ontario Workers Deserve Respect and Dignity: OCASI Statement on Bill 47
- Canadian Environmental Law Association
- Canadian Paediatric Society
- CCPA Ontario
- Community Mental Health Ontario
- Environmental Defence
- $15 & Fairness
- Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
- Ontario Municipal Social Services Association
- Ontario Nonprofit Network
Editorials, Opinions, etc:
- There’s No ‘Dignity’ In Ford Government’s Welfare Reform
- Why the Progressive Conservatives should think twice about blaming cuts on the Liberals
- Lisa MacLeod proposes ‘compassionate’ changes to welfare in Ontario. Opposition says her plan will make things worse
- MacLeod’s welfare reforms good start on a tough job
- Making sense of Ontario’s social assistance reforms
- Uncertain future for social assistance in Ontario
Fall Economic Statement and its implementation bill, Bill 57 (Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability Act. (2018): Ontario Minister of Finance
Ontario Workers Deserve Respect and Dignity: OCASI Statement on Bill 47 (November 20, 2018)
A plan for the people: Ontario Releases the Government’s Fiscal Roadmap — Restoring Trust and Putting Money Back in the Pockets of Taxpayers. (Nov. 15, 2018 1:38 P.M.) Ministry of Finance News Release
Statement by Minister MacLeod on Social Assistance Plan. (Nov. 7, 2018)
Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act vs. Open for Business Act: What’s Really Changed?(November 01, 2018): The London Chamber of Commerce provides an overview of recent changes to Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 as well as what will be remaining the same.
Assessing Active Labour-Market Programs: How Effective is Ontario Works? (Oct. 31, 2018): C.D. Howe Institute
What Ontario can learn from the UK on reforming social assistance. (Oct. 29, 2018): Maytree
Ontario’s Government for the People Cutting Red Tape in Order to Help Create and Protect Jobs. (Oct. 23, 2018): News Release, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Open for Business: Modernizing Ontario’s Apprenticeship System. (Oct. 23, 2018): Backgrounder, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
“Managing Transformation: A Modernization Action Plan for Ontario.” (Sept. 21, 2018): Line-by-line Review of Ontario Government Expenditures 2002/03 -2017/18 by Ernst & Young LLP Report for Treasury Board Secretariat
100 Days: Take Action Before November 8! (Sept. 19, 2018): Income Security Advocacy Centre (ISAC) + more backgrounders and info on Social Assistance and advocacy
Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills Mismatch in Ontario. (2017): Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Auditor General of Ontario’s Annual Report (2017): includes Settlement and Integration Services for Newcomers
Auditor General of Ontario’s Annual Report (2016): includes Employment Ontario Report on Employment and Training Programs, Apprenticeship, Data to demonstrate EO programs are meeting labour demands, Funding, Second Career, Labour Market Planning, Compliance and monitoring of programs and services, Public Reporting of Outcomes, Duplication of Employment and Training Services.
“Paths to Prosperity: Welfare to Work.” (2013): Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus White Paper
Response to the Welfare to Work White Paper. (2013): Association of Municipalities Ontario
“Brighter Prospects: Transforming Social Assistance in Ontario.” (2012): Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario
“Public Services for Ontarians: A Path to Sustainability and Excellence [The Drummond Report]” (2012): Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services