A Plan for Care and Opportunity
2018 Ontario Budget
March 28, 2018
At the release of today's provincial budget Government representatives, when asked by ODEN, said they are very happy with the Income Security Reforms, Passport funding increases, and improvements to the Employment & Training Systems, especially the provisions for better access to programs and services for people with disabilities. ODEN is also encouraged by the investments in this budget. While there are always areas that require more attention, there are solid investments being made in Developmental Services, Income Security, Educational reforms, and the Good Jobs & Growth Plan.
Highlights from the 2018 Provincial Budget:
- Removing Barriers & Providing Better Care
- Investing $1.8 Billion over 3 years to expand services for people with developmental disabilities
- Expanding direct funding to Passport to ensure over 40,000 people will receive at least$5K each year
- Resources for planning supports that will help transition aged youth access relevant services including pathways to PSE and Employment
- $200million in funding increases to over 350 community based agencies
- Expanding Access to Mental Health and Addictions Services
- In this budget the government is making an ‘historic’ investment of $2.1Billion over the next 4 years to support a more integrated, high-quality Mental Health and Addictions system for people of all ages. We will watch closely to determine the impact this will have on the Employment Service agencies across the province.
- Implementing Income Security Reform -
- Guided by the “Income Security: A Roadmap for Change” the government is moving forward with reforms that will improve benefits and services and positively affect those who want to be or are employed
- Limits on cash and other liquid assists will be fully eliminated in 2019-20 for people receiving ODSP
- Increase of 3% per year for the next 3 years for ODSP and other social assistance benefits starting in fall 2018
- Increasing the amount of employment income that can be earned without impacting ODSP from $200 per month to $400 per month
- Raising the amount that can be earned to $6000 per year without impacting social assistance benefits starting in 2019-20
- Working collaboratively with First Nations and urban indigenous groups to improve access to culturally safe ODSP services in communities across Ontario
- Modernizing Ontario’s Employment & Training System
- This budget highlights that it will continue to modernize Employment Ontario services which will build on the Access Talent Strategy, and will provide better access to programs and information for people with disabilities. ODEN is looking forward to working with government on these efforts.
- Education Reforms
- In Education, new initiatives will include developing an Education Accessibility Standard to help address barriers that prevent students with disabilities from reaching their full potential, and further support their ability to participate in society and the job market
For more information please see the full 2018 Ontario Budget “A Plan for Care and Opportunity”
https://news.ontario.ca/mof/en/2018/03/delivering-a-plan-for-care-and-opportunity.html