'Stop social assistance poverty,' Ottawa ACORN urges province
Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Kristy Wallace
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EMC news - Vivian Joynt wasn't always living off social assistance. But after her brother died of severe burns he received in a gruesome trucking accident, she was laid off from her job and her father diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she had a breakdown.
Kristy Wallace, Metroland
Ottawa ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) took part in a campaign asking for the provincial government to increase social assistance benefits. The rally was held in Westboro at Richmond Road and Roosevelt Avenue.
"I didn't always live off everybody. I had a job, and I had a life," Joynt said. "Now I exist. But it's really tough just existing."
Joynt was part of a group of ACORN members that rallied in Westboro on Feb. 2, asking the provincial government to improve social assistance benefits.
She wore her used coat she bought 10 years ago and her 15-year-old used winter boots, sat in her scooter and talked about her day-to-day life living on social assistance.
"Someday, I'd like to be able to get a new coat and new boots, but who knows when and if that will ever happen," she said. "I'm tired of being cold and I'm tired of going to the food bank and coming home with very little food."
Some of the issues raised at the rally were asking the provincial government to increase social assistance rates, improving medical coverage and supporting the housing benefit.
Ernie Smith, another member who came out to the rally, said one of the benefits he needs is those related to medical care.
"They're cutting back on eyeglasses," said Smith, who lives in a psychiatric care group boarding home and relies on social assistance. "We didn't ask for what happened to us."
Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, said he appreciates ACORN's activism in raising the issue of social assistance.
He said the social assistance rates have been raised seven times since 2003 and the government is currently conducting a social assistance review.
"As part of our poverty reduction strategy, we've undertaken one of the largest reviews of social assistance in 20 years," Naqvi said.
Led by experts in the field, Naqvi said there will be a comprehensive review coming forward with specific recommendations on how to renew the social assistance system.
The final report with recommendations will be coming back in June of this year.
"Obviously the government is willing to review and transform the social assistance system," said Naqvi. "Reform and transformation is something we're serious about."
Joynt hopes that social assistance benefits will change and that her friends who also need help will be able to live a better life.
"It's really, really tough to get by on what we're given," she said. "I'm here because I'm tired of being poor."
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