As Ontario looks to give out $200 cheques, advocate says ODSP rates need to double

As the provincial government gears up to give $200 cheques to nearly all residents, an advocacy group says the government needs to double the support it provides to Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients.

The Ontario government says it will send a $200 rebate cheque to roughly 15 million people in the province, for every taxpayer, as well as $200 for each child in eligible family.

Trevor Manson, the co-chair of ODSP Action Coalition — a grassroots volunteer advocacy group led by people with disabilities on ODSP, is calling for the government to double ODSP rates.

"Right now, every political party in Ontario is calling for rates to be doubled, except for the government....  Except for the party that's in power," said Manson.

Manson says $200 is not sufficient for those on ODSP.

"You might be able to stack up on a little bit of groceries, but really it's not going to provide any sort of long-term relief, which is what people need."

Although he says an increase is needed, Manson believes even a 50 per cent increase wouldn't fully help those on ODSP.

"You're looking at about $1,800 a month for a studio apartment. That's the average in Ontario. Even if you increase rates by 50 per cent, sure it would help, but it's still not going to be bringing people to the poverty line, which in Ontario is up against. It's above $25,000 a year."

When asked by CBC to respond to the call to double ODSP, Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy referenced the steps his government has already taken steps to boost the benefit.

He said there's "always more to do" but said the Progressive Conservatives have made more progress than previous governments.

"Let's remember the previous government, the Liberals and the NDP, they had a chance to index it to inflation, they didn't. Then we increased it one time by five per cent. Actually, we went further, we increased the earnings exemption so people who can and are willing to work on ODSP, that they'll be able to put more money back in their pockets."

Bethlenfalvy says the $200 should help bridge the gap in taxpayers' finances. 

"Taxpayers worked hard to earn that money and this going to impact many households who are feeling the pinch on the cost of groceries, cost of gas. The cost of housing that has impacted many Ontarians," he said.

"When those revenues have gone up, we're fiscally very sound to give money back now. Timely relief for families, rather than down the road."