Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

The HUMA study recommends:
The Roadmap recommends:
The federal government work
with provinces and territories to
strengthen income support program
policies so people do not have all
of their income “clawed back” by
provincial social assistance programs
Exempting a portion of federal
Canada Pension Plan - Disability and
Employment Insurance income (plus
provincial Workplace Safety and
Insurance income)
Amending the Working Income Tax
Benefit (WITB) to expand eligibility,
increase the level of benefits and
reduce claw backs so that low-wage,
low-income workers are lifted out
of poverty
Enhancing the WITB so that it
better reflects the realities faced
by low-income workers in Ontario,
including eligibility, the rate at which
the benefit is withdrawn and the
amounts provided
That Indigenous and Northern Affairs
Canada review social assistance rates
for First Nations peoples on-reserve in
light of higher cost of living and limited
employment opportunities so people
are ensured an adequate income
Rates should reflect the additional
costs of living in First Nations
communities, including remote
and isolated communities (eg,
purchasing nutritious food,
transportation costs)
That Employment and Social
Development Canada and the Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation
create a portable housing benefit, in
consultation and collaboration with
provinces and territories
Introducing a housing benefit to
assist all low-income people with the
high cost of housing so people do not
have to choose between a home and
other necessities
Income Security: A Roadmap for Change 145