upcoming actions

PROTEST THE CUT OF THE SPECIAL DIET

THURSDAY MAY 20th 1pm

MEET AT CORNER OF MONTREAL ROAD AND BEGIN ST, IN VANIER

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In this year’s provincial budget the Ontario Liberals cut the Special Diet Allowance, while raising the welfare rates by LESS that the inflation rate. This adds up to a 3% CUT in welfare spending in Ontario. This is only the third time a government has cut welfare spending.

The special diet allowance was money accessible to some OW and ODSP recipients who needed it for specific health related dietary needs, allergies, etc. The maximum amount of money a person could receive from the SDA was 250$. For people receiving SDA money, the cut represents as much as 30% less on their welfare cheques.

Although the Liberals have done nothing to reverse the rate cuts imposed by the Conservatives, the SDA was one of the few options available for poor people in Ontario who were tired of having to make the decision between paying the rent and buying groceries.

In recent years a groundswell of activity led to a sharp increase in people finding out about the SDA and signing up. This meant that the Ontario Government was now spending an extra $194 million a year on welfare.Due to the SDA’s recent growth in cost and popularity, the government has decided to cut it.

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FIGHT BACK

Across the province anti-poverty organizations are gearing up to fight these cuts. In Toronto, almost 1000 people gathered on April 15th to voice their opposition to these cuts.

In Ottawa, Under Pressure, an anti-poverty and anti-capitalist organization, is planning this protest in Vanier at MPP Madelaine Meilleur’s office. Meilleur is the Minister of Community Services, responsible for the loss of the SDA.

we won’t be quiet – we need the Special Diet

Email for more info: raisetherates@gmail.com