Lisa Gretzky MPP, for Windsor West

Government of Ontario

Ford's massive cuts to Social Services cause anxiety for those battling illness, disability: NDP

Published on May 13, 2019

QUEEN’S PARK — In question period Monday, Windsor West NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky, critic for Community and Social Services, blasted Doug Ford’s government for cutting $900 million in supports for people with disabilities, vulnerable women and children, and those living in poverty.  

“The Ford government’s own estimates, released Thursday, revealed a lot in terms of what this government values, and what they don’t,” Gretzky said. “The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is being cut by $900 million; that includes a $222-million cut to the Ontario Disability Support Program, $300 million from Ontario Works, and $3.3 million from the Family Responsibility Office. 

“This means people with disabilities — like those off work while they’re battling cancer, Multiple Sclerosis or other conditions – will suffer the most. The Ford Conservatives clearly don’t believe it’s their job to help people.

“Ontarians deserve a government that doesn’t put peoples’ livelihoods in jeopardy by cutting the programs that keep struggling families afloat. When someone is battling a disease, they deserve a government that has their back — not one that turns its back on them.”