What would you do if you lost your job tomorrow?
If you lost your job tomorrow, would you land on your feet?
No one expects or wants to need the help of a food bank, but many families in Ontario are just one pay cheque or unfortunate circumstance away from needing a food bank.
When faced with unexpected challenges, we hope that our government can provide a safety net to catch us. But after years of neglect our system is no longer able to keep people on their feet during challenging times, and today's affordability crisis is only making yesterday's problems worse.
The unfortunate reality is that many people fall through the cracks, and often Ontario’s social support programs leave people living in poverty.
Could you live on $733 per month?
Would EI support you?
When most people think about what they would do if they lost their job, they think about Employment Insurance (EI). But what many people do not realize is that most Ontarians do not qualify for EI. Read more about why EI isn't covering many people in the province in our Hunger Report.
Could you rely on OW?
Without the support of EI, many have no choice but to turn to programs like Ontario Works (OW). Ontario Works provides a maximum of just $733 a month, making it impossible for recipients to afford the cost of living. Applicants also need to meet a number of restrictive requirements to qualify, making the program difficult to access.
A better future is possible.
Feed Ontario is calling on all candidates to commit to building a strong social safety net. Improving Ontario Works is just one solution that we have at our fingertips to address the root causes of poverty. Together, we can work toward a future where all Ontarians can stay on their feet during times of crisis.
Confront the Reality
Fork in the Road
Food bank visitors are often faced with having to make devastating decisions every day just to make ends meet. Learn about what it’s like to need to turn to a food bank for support, and make choices to see if you’re able to get by until the end of the month with our interactive Fork in The Road tool.
Food bank use is already at a record high
Over 1 million people in Ontario turned to a food bank last year, the highest number of people on record. This surge in demand is tied to decades of underinvestment in our social safety net. Unaffordable housing, a lack of quality jobs, and inadequate social support programs that legislate people into poverty are longstanding issues in Ontario. On top of these challenges, more people than ever before are being driven to need the help of a food bank because of the pressures of the affordability crisis.
of visitors cited employment as their main source of income.
people accessed a food bank last year.
had never visited a food bank before
Food banks are at a breaking point
Food banks are working hard to meet this unprecedented need, but they are being pushed to their breaking point. The provincial food bank network cannot shoulder another spike in demand.
It is time for governments to prioritize solutions that address poverty, not just emergency relief. All parties can plan to make key investments that support the health and wellbeing of Ontarians.
It's time to prioritize people
Things in Ontario have already gone from bad to worse, and for many people in the province, it could get even harder. Right now, Ontario is facing unaffordable housing, a high cost of living, and the possibility of significant job losses. This leaves many families just one pay cheque away from needing the help of a food bank. Even though there are social supports to help people navigate many of these challenges, these programs are broken and often result in those who need them falling into poverty.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Ontarians need programs that make sure they can stay on their feet when the unexpected happens.
Our recommendations for change
One million Ontarians accessing a food bank should be seen as a high-water mark that we strive to never reach again, not something to accept or look away from. The growth in economic precarity in our province is not sustainable. It is crucial for our next government to create a bold plan to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity.
The following recommendations are actions that can be taken today and that will provide an immediate benefit to low-income Ontarians in the province.