Anthony Frisina, 42, was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and touches on the contributions of ODSP since the age of 18.
He moves around in a wheelchair. He is also an author and director of media relations for theOntario Disability Coalition [Coalition ontarienne des personnes handicapées, traduction libre].
Mr Frisina was involved in organizing a rally held last Thursday at Queen’s Park which aimed to ensure that the ODSP is well on the party agenda ahead of the June 2 provincial elections.
On Tuesday, he spoke with Amanda Pfeffer, of Ontario Today on CBC radio.
When you hear about people who are having difficulty living with ODSPwhat’s your reaction?
It is absolutely heartbreaking. For someone like me who works part-time, the [montants récupérés par le gouvernement] are absolutely ridiculous. Those [montants récupérés parce que je travaille m’empêchent de] live […] with respect, honor, integrity and dignity.
$1,100 per month (the maximum amount of ODSP, Editor’s note), it is far too little. The federal government set a precedent by declaring that people who could not work during the pandemic received $2,000 [par mois pour] the ECP. [Le POSPH] should at least be doubled, but equal the ECP would also work.
What are the members of the coalition telling you about this?
The cost of living is rising. Inflation is rising. The latest increase in ODSP took place in 2018, increase of 1.5%. We were promised 3% for 2018 and the following three years, and still nothing.
It is absolutely atrocious. This speaks to the gaps in the treatment of people with disabilities in our communities. Even during the pandemic, [l’intérêt des] people with disabilities has been lost sight of. The increase [des besoins en] mental health has been astronomical. People with disabilities do what they can. They don’t know what to do. They have to choose between food, shelter and clothing every month.
How much is the rent portion of the ODSP for a single person?
It is $497. There is [aucun logement] available at this rate. […] There is not enough subsidized housing, accessible housing, access to [médecins]access to medicines, access to quality of life.
Let’s talk about the amounts recovered if you work. Can you explain how it works?
[Lorsque je travaille et que je gagne plus de 200 $ par mois]the government claws back 50 cents per dollar earned [après ces premiers 200 $ de mes montants de POSPH]. It’s a deterrent [gens qui touchent la POSPH] reluctant to work because of recuperation. [La société] wants to take advantage of what people with disabilities can do and we want to be able to live as best we can and do the things we are able to do. It’s about providing jobs for people with disabilities that meet our abilities and giving us the autonomy to work within those means.
A final thought?
We need to eradicate ableism and the assumption that people with disabilities cannot work. We have the opportunity to live with a good quality of life and not be governed by the government.
What are the parties doing?
This week, The Canadian News asked the four major parties if they plan to increase ODSP.
The latest Ontario budget, which serves as the election platform for the Progressive Conservative Party, does not include any increase in ODSP or Ontario Works (OW).
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said the government invest more in social services
but did not respond directly to questions about the rate increase of the ODSP orTO.
A spokesperson for NDP said that if the party is elected, it would immediately raise rates by 20% and legislate to keep them, at a minimum, with inflation.
The Ontario Greens called the current rates legalized poverty
and committed to doubling the rates of the ODSP for the adoption of a basic income.
The Ontario Liberals did not provide exact figures, but a spokesperson said their full package, to be released soon, will include a rate hike ODSPincluding allow people benefiting from ODSP keep more of the money they earn working
.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca