Social assistance rates are way below the poverty line, and it has remained
virtually unchanged since 1995 where Mike Harris government slashed
assistant rate by almost 22%.  People on social assistance are now about 40%
to 50% worse off than those in 1995.  In addition, the McGuinty government
has decided to restrict its $250 special diet allowance to social assistance
recipients with a medically verified need for extra money for special diet.
According to the Toronto Star, those with “ineligible” aliments (such as
cardiovascular disease and impaired glucose tolerance) or hungry kids or no
cash left when the rent is paid will be cut off.  Thousands of recipients
will be affected by these changes.