Income Security: A Roadmap for Change

Jump-starting a positive culture of trust, collaboration and problemsolving
can happen by amending regulations that create additional
barriers and reinforce the negative idea that people needing help
must be closely monitored so they do not “take advantage” of
programs. Three examples are:
• The rule that gives front-line workers the authority to count any
resources that may become available to a person to reduce or
disqualify them from assistance if they are not satisfied the right
efforts are being made.
• The rule that prevents a single person attending post-secondary
school from receiving Ontario Works even if they do not qualify
for student assistance.
• The rule that says the Director “shall” cancel benefits for noncompliance
with a condition of eligibility.
A CULTURE OF TRUST, COLLABORATION
AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
Recommendation 8: Introduce an approach to serving people receiving
Ontario Works and ODSP that promotes a culture of trust, collaboration
and problem-solving as a priority—one that uses a trauma-informed lens
and supports good quality of life outcomes for people in all communities,
including Indigenous people.
Income Security: A Roadmap for Change 93