Ontario Budget 2025: Resources for the DS Sector
Government of Ontario Launches 2025 Pre-Budget Consultations
The Government of Ontario has launched consultations on what Ontarians believe should be prioritized in next year’s provincial budget. As part of the #WaitingtoBelong campaign, Community Living Ontario will be calling on the province to:
- Commit to sustainable annual increases to developmental service agency base funding.
- Provide full Passport allocations to all people eligible for the program.
- Following recent increases to the ODSP basic needs and shelter amounts, tie all ODSP benefits, including the Personal Needs Allowance and Special Diet Allowance, to inflation.
- Commit to zero clawbacks of the Canada Disability Benefit from people receiving ODSP.
There are more than 50,000 people waiting to access funding for developmental services in Ontario. Providing access to needed services, including supportive housing, caregiver respite, and Adult Protective Service Workers, is crucial to supporting the health, well-being, and safety of people who have a developmental disability and their families. Likewise, addressing the deep poverty experienced by people with disabilities across the province must be a key priority for the provincial government.
Pre-budget consultations will be open until February 3rd, 2025. More information can be found on the Government of Ontario website.
The #WaitingToBelong campaign by Community Living Ontario and OASIS highlights the struggles and barriers faced by people with intellectual disabilities as they wait for critical support services, such as housing, employment, and community programs. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the long wait times that impact peoples’ abilities to live fully inclusive lives, stressing the urgent need for government action and community support. Through stories and statistics, #WaitingToBelong advocates for a system where everyone has timely access to the resources needed to belong and thrive in their communities.
Get involved in #WaitingToBelong campaign! Use the resources below to raise awareness and help us amplify real experiences.
