Ontario cuts social assistance to those in Canada on temporary visa

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, has announced a drastic change in its social assistance policies. The province will no longer provide financial support to individuals who are not legally authorized to reside in Canada. This includes those on temporary visas, illegal immigrants, and even international students. The decision was made by Michael Parsa, Ontario's Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

The Ontario government's announcement came in a statement released on Thursday. In the statement, Parsa emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that only those living in Canada legally can receive financial assistance from two key programs: Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. The new regulations, which come into effect immediately, aim to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that these programs are strictly for those genuinely in need.

The changes were prompted by a National Post report that revealed the Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal had previously granted benefits to an individual who had been living in Canada illegally for over two decades. This person had entered the country on a work permit in 1997 and never left, despite falling out of status. The tribunal initially ruled that the relevant act only barred benefits for visitors, tourists, and those with a deportation order.

However, the Ontario government disagreed, stating that the regulations should be clear about excluding those in the country illegally.

The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, reacted to this change, reiterating the government's stance that it will always support people in financial difficulties, but this support should not extend to those living in Canada illegally. If regulations need to be amended to make this clear, the government is ready to do so. The changes in Ontario's regulations stem from amendments to two acts covering these benefits.

These new regulations have a broader scope, not just restricting benefits to those in the country illegally. They also exclude individuals authorized to remain in Canada on a temporary basis, such as those with student visas, work permits, or as visitors and tourists. The changes are designed to ensure that Ontario's government-funded social assistance programs are reserved for those who meet the province's eligibility requirements.