NDP Increases ODSP Campaign Engagement, Promises to Double Current Rate in Second Year

BRAMPTON — Ontario’s New Democrats say they will push through their planned increases to the province’s disability support program.

The change follows criticism that the initial 20 percent increase the party promised to implement immediately would keep those who depend on ODSP for their income below the poverty line.

Now NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the party would increase the ODSP by 20 percent immediately and raise it to double the current rate in the party’s second year in power, if elected.

Horwath said ODSP payments would be indexed so that “no Ontario ever lives in statutory poverty again.”

The Liberals have said they would increase the ODSP by 20 percent over two years, while the Progressive Conservatives added a five percent increase to their platform last week.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has promised to double ODSP payments.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on May 14, 2022.