Ontario Government Ends Social Assistance For People Living In Canada Illegally
/The Ontario Government is strengthening the rules for Ontario’s social assistance programs to ensure that only people living legally in Canada can receive financial assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, announced on Thursday.
Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawrtha MPP. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Effective immediately, the Provincial government says these regulations will protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that Ontario’s social assistance programs focus on supporting only families and individuals facing financial hardship who are legally authorized to live in Canada.
“Our government will always be there for those that need it most, but taxpayer-funded social assistance should not go to people living in Canada illegally,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “These changes will protect taxpayer dollars and ensure these programs are there for the people who they were intended to support.”
The province has amended regulations under the Ontario Works Act, 1997, and the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, to clarify who is eligible for social assistance.
Under the updated rules, the following individuals are not eligible for social assistance:
Individuals who are in Canada illegally; and
Individuals authorized to remain in Canada on a temporary basis, for example, those here with student visas, work permits or as visitors and tourists.
