Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath says more help is needed to assist those impacted by COVID-19, stressing her party will continue to push for better.
Horwath says she wants the government to catch people who fall through the cracks with a $2,000 monthly benefit, plus help for students, and top-up payments for low-wage essential workers and those struggling to make ends meet.
She has also proposed a $2,500 a month rent supplement and other supports for people with reduced income.
Horwath is calling on the government to provide supplementary grants for students who are unable to find summer jobs and eliminate assumed student earnings and parental contributions for any student affected by income loss in their households for the purpose of calculating OSAP.
She also wants full drug coverage through Trillium or the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan for anyone receiving emergency benefits.
Horwath notes “Provinces across the country have provided direct funds to fill the gaps, but Ontario has not and the urgent economic crisis people are facing is causing suffering that will only get worse if the province doesn’t do its part.”
WATCH LIVE — Official Opposition NDP Leader @AndreaHorwath calls for supports for students, top-ups for social assistance and low-wage workers https://t.co/iyrzVnc83e #COVID19 #COVID19Ontario
— Ontario NDP (@OntarioNDP) April 14, 2020
