At a rally held on July 21 to protest the elimination of the Special Diet Allowance, eleven people entered Liberal Party Headquarters “to deliver an invoice (for $600 million dollars) to the Liberal Party demanding full re-payment of benefits taken from people living on social assistance.”

“The police immediately came in and handcuffed us,” said Marque Brill, of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty. “They didn’t ask us at all, as would be normal, to leave or we will be arrested.”

Two protesters were released immediately. The other nine were charged with trespassing, mischief to interfere with property and forcible entry and held at College Park for 30 hours. They were granted bail the following day.

A single person on Ontario Works receives $585 per month and $1042 per month on the Ontario Disability Support Plan.

The Special Diet Allowance provided an additional payment of up to $250 per month.