Increase Ontario welfare rates

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This will probably get lost in a bs thread but it may make the difference to one person who reads it.

Honestly the topic of welfare is a piss off to me and makes me extremely angry. There was one point in my life 15 years ago that I probably should have just taking that option but I believed by doing so that was just taking the easy way out.

I had to drop out of school and I lived on the street working odd jobs and a part time one at a restaurant for the better part of the year. I took showers washed my clothes in community pools and high-schools (I was a teenager at the time). I couch surfed and slept in a tent or shelters which meant I was homeless with no support from my family. I refused to allow anybody to know exactly what was happening in my life for fear of having to accept help. Before you try to think I ran away or it was my choice it wasn't. My parents split up and on my 16th birthday I was told by my father I was not welcome in the house anymore. I was a good kid but my parents refused to accept responsibility for their child anymore.

If your on welfare your lazy plain and simple there is zero excuse. Disability that's another whole topic.
 
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rbjeepthing said:
This will probably get lost in a bs thread but it may make the difference to one person who reads it.

Honestly the topic of welfare is a piss off to me and makes me extremely angry. There was one point in my life 15 years ago that I probably should have just taking that option but I believed by doing so that was just taking the easy way out.

I had to drop out of school and I lived on the street working odd jobs and a part time one at a restaurant for the better part of the year. I took showers washed my clothes in community pools and high-schools (I was a teenager at the time). I couch surfed and slept in a tent or shelters which meant I was homeless with no support from my family. I refused to allow anybody to know exactly what was happening in my life for fear of having to accept help. Before you try to think I ran away or it was my choice it wasn't. My parents split up and on my 16th birthday I was told by my father I was not welcome in the house anymore. I was a good kid but my parents refused to accept responsibility for their child anymore.

If your on welfare your lazy plain and simple there is zero excuse. Disability that's another whole topic.
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Why does it piss you off? You weren't abusing the system and used it for what it was intended to be used for. You got back on your feet and now are no longer on it.

I along with others get ****** off at the people who are clearly abusing the system, and theres no shortage of that.
 
Paul1000RR said:
Why does it piss you off? You weren't abusing the system and used it for what it was intended to be used for. You got back on your feet and now are no longer on it.

I along with others get ****** off at the people who are clearly abusing the system, and theres no shortage of that.
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That's the thing I never used it. I think my situation is one of the lowest someone can be put in that you can climb out of without needing financial assistance. You just need to work hard to make it on your own. In my opinion there is little if any need for welfare as it is called.
 
… honestly I don't understand our system in Ontario when it comes to welfare. I work hard and pay by dues and God forbid I ever get laid off or loss my job and had to wait around for unemployment to kick in, when I can just stay home have 20 babies and collect welfare just like that.


My neighbor's prime example younger guy early 30's, stay at home dad has a 8 year old son and a dead beat mom who also collects welfare. He lives in his Aunts basement and pays her $250 rent. I have been there 8mnts now and he has not worked a day yet, Yes he smokes, Yes he drinks, always buying video games for his kid.......I got to talking to him over the summer and I asked him what he's trade was. He tells me he has always worked for contractors, roofing company's ect.... I had a couple Job's around the house that needed done so I offered him a quick cash job striping my front door and pillars. This was in September and its still not finished …... LAZY WELFARE PEOPLE that's the problem, they abuse the system and we pay for it.... my 2 cents....
 
Points on this thread according to most peeps:

Point 1: Welfare is needed as it provides a social net (but only for those of us deemed to be approved worthy.)
Point 2: Welfare is abused by mofos out there which is getting everyone's panties in a knot

So, this argument is no longer social consideration but a mere accounting one. Check it>

People on welfare (according to OP): 500,000
Percent that might be cheating the system (even at a low low number of): 10%
which makes the number of mofos to be: 50,000
Assuming that the annual $ paid/cheater: 7,200.00

makes it a grand total of : $360,000,000.00 paid out.

If you think that the abuse is that bad, then call up your MP or the Ministry of social services and tell them that you have a way to save them $360 Million and see what they say.
 
rbjeepthing said:
Honestly the topic of welfare is a piss off to me and makes me extremely angry. There was one point in my life 15 years ago that I probably should have just taking that option but I believed by doing so that was just taking the easy way out.

I had to drop out of school and I lived on the street working odd jobs and a part time one at a restaurant for the better part of the year. I took showers washed my clothes in community pools and high-schools (I was a teenager at the time). I couch surfed and slept in a tent or shelters which meant I was homeless with no support from my family. I refused to allow anybody to know exactly what was happening in my life for fear of having to accept help. Before you try to think I ran away or it was my choice it wasn't. My parents split up and on my 16th birthday I was told by my father I was not welcome in the house anymore. I was a good kid but my parents refused to accept responsibility for their child anymore.
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I have two words for you: Well done. If you can get through a situation like that, you can get through pretty much anything.
 
suzuki2000 said:
That's the social safety net we Canadians have determined is needed. Like it or not, we built it into the framework of our society
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Paul1000RR said:
I guess we can end the thread now then. Clearly a message board isn't for discussing things lol
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Please take my comment with the sarcasm intended. I agree with the majority of statements here, able bodied people should not be eligible for welfare in most cases. Our society though has decided whether we like it or not to provide a safety net that allows for abusers to reap benefits at times. This is unfortunate.

Another poster made a comment about scammer with "bad backs", the downside of this is those in real need get ripped apart with this. My step-father wrecked his back about 5 years ago, 5 ot 6 slipped discs. He went from able bodied to a cripple over night. This was a work related incident and he has been fought by WSIB ever since to the point my mother and him are essentially dirt poor and have lost about everything. He was called a liar over and over even with specialists, doctors, surgeon reports,... He was going to be cut off benefits until he was able to get his local MP involved.

A very good friend of mine tossed his back about two years ago, at 40 he became a cripple, same story WSIB has fought him the whole way. Told him he was full of crap, he could work. his first surgery was about a year ago, minimal benefits that were only short term. imagine waking up to find you could not move anything below your waist. He gets shots now to keep the inflamation down so he doesn't get pinched nerves and lose the ability to walk. He next surgery is planned, awaiting confirmation of the date where they will open him up and fuse his spine at 42. WSIB continues to tell him he is not eligible for benefits from his work related injury.


I know they are victims of people who have scammed the system before them, but it does piss me off when able bodied people can collect a cheque with no challenges. But like I said, societies has determined that it is better to let some scammers go to benefit those that are in need, it is just too bad when some people in need go through hell to get needed help.
 
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imnothng said:
AF4iK, that is exactly why I would never vote against welfare. It does need to change and I say if you accept welfare, then you accept the government into your life 100%. By that I mean, drug tests, random home inspections to search for booze, cigs, and drugs. If you need food, clothes and shelter than we'll help you out, but we should NOT be paying for your recreation.
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I was at costco in the states, 24 of heineken $24 in Ontario $48. Pack of smokes, $3.50, in Ontario, $8. Sales Tax 7%, in Ontario 13%. Gas $3.09 a gallon, in Ontario, $5 plus. Yes, they need a raise of $100.
 
Paul1000RR said:
I don't know if this is directed at me but i'll guess it is since i started the thread.
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It wasn't directed at you or anyone specifically. I wanted to provide a real example of a case where welfare was used for it's intended purpose and had a positive effect on society. No hostility intended or felt on my part.

rbjeepthing said:
If your on welfare your lazy plain and simple there is zero excuse. Disability that's another whole topic.
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Case in point. This one is directed at rbjeepthing but still sans hostility. It's this type of misconception I'd like to dispell. I admire your perseverance and can identify with it (I was kicked out of my home too by my former step-father). But being a young man and watching out for #1 is a lot different than having to take care of a family. Even as a single person, not everyone has your strength. Some people can accept that they need help to stand up again.
 
Just let the immigrants do the hard work like me. I'd kill myself if I was in welfare. Nothing to look forward to in life.
 
rbjeepthing said:
This will probably get lost in a bs thread but it may make the difference to one person who reads it.

Honestly the topic of welfare is a piss off to me and makes me extremely angry. There was one point in my life 15 years ago that I probably should have just taking that option but I believed by doing so that was just taking the easy way out.

I had to drop out of school and I lived on the street working odd jobs and a part time one at a restaurant for the better part of the year. I took showers washed my clothes in community pools and high-schools (I was a teenager at the time). I couch surfed and slept in a tent or shelters which meant I was homeless with no support from my family. I refused to allow anybody to know exactly what was happening in my life for fear of having to accept help. Before you try to think I ran away or it was my choice it wasn't. My parents split up and on my 16th birthday I was told by my father I was not welcome in the house anymore. I was a good kid but my parents refused to accept responsibility for their child anymore.

If your on welfare your lazy plain and simple there is zero excuse. Disability that's another whole topic.
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You pretty much rock, but you can't take your situation as a worst-case scenario.

Be fair now, you had zero responsibilities (kids, elderly, property) and some support systems (high school, community centres). Adults, or people with family and/or belongings, they can't get away from welfare like you could, especially in rural areas. Not only that, but if all million (or whatever) welfare recipients lived like you did, there would be a whole host of other problems to deal with.

So no, there are plenty of valid 'excuses' even if there are a lot of people who are just plain lazy on welfare.
 
Even if u can't get a job to support your big ass family that you created and responsible for, that's fine I get that. $Hit happens. But at least work and not stay at home 24/7 then maybe you deserve some extra money to help you out.
 
Paul1000RR said:
No doubt. Better question is why does it cost so much? People in prison should be forced to work if they want a meal.
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Who's jobs would they be taking? What services would they provide and how would it effect currently employed people doing those jobs or small businesses trying to make a buck in those industries. Just look at Shawshank Redemption. Undercutting labour prices of us non prison folk would be the end game. We all know how business works. You can't compete against subsidized labour.
 
im not gonna get into odsp because for some people just because one day there good and you see them doing something that would be bad for there disability doesnt mean they dont have the problem it just means there trying to enjoy a pain free day by doing something they enjoy, but for welfare they should have a cut off on their income amount to single moms after so many kids they will not give you anymore money then what your already gettin because 15 kids is ****in retarded even if you started on welfare with 1 kid and now you have 4 or 5 you couldnt afford one so why should welfare pay for you to continue opening your legs and by that time welfare should just pay for you to get you tubes tied it would be cheaper for them, the other problem besides welfare moms is immigrants come to canada and demand welfare and welfare housing and play the raciest card until they get it but never intend to get off of it because its free money i believe if your an immigrant you can go on welfare if you really need it but only for a short period of time like 1 year maximum. sorry for the long story
 
A few years ago, I would've been right with everyone else in this thread. I've been steadily employed since age 14, have a good job now, and have worked my tail off to be where I am.

However, it does seem a lot tougher these days. A family friend is 20 and has had a heck of a time gaining ANY employment - not just plum jobs. She's stuck unable to go back to school after a year of university, and is applying to college instead. Maybe the problems/opportunities are regional but I know she has tried and not been able to find work. (There might be something to the story I'm not aware of.) The 19-25 unemployment demographic is pretty staggering in this country.

I'll also say that the mental health demographic is much wider than you'd ever suspect. There are many undiagnosed cases and instances of issues.

I couldn't even think of what I'd do on $600/mo. Would sure need subsidized housing.
 
The situation with youth unemployment is a precursor of a larger problem and that is a growing amount of unemployment in all age groups. Simply put, we in Canada, and in many other countries are not investing in companies that can provide products and services that people want to buy. Unlike Germany, which is the manufacturing heart of Europe, countries like Portugal, Greece, and Spain are languishing and unemployment is rising. For now, in Canada, we have a rich resource base that we can sell, and if we can remain competitive so that we can sell our goods and services to the US and other countries, we have a chance but it is not going to be easy.

This discussion of welfare is a discussion about the symptoms and not the core problem. In essence, what we are facing is a race to the bottom as we face mounting competition for jobs from many other countries where goods and increasingly more services can be provided more cheaply. And I am referring to many types of jobs: law, accounting, and IT amongst others.

Collectively, we need to push our politicians to be careful as to how they spend OUR MONEY and to find ways to support the development of those industries where it makes sense for us to invest.

honduhmatic said:
A few years ago, I would've been right with everyone else in this thread. I've been steadily employed since age 14, have a good job now, and have worked my tail off to be where I am.

However, it does seem a lot tougher these days. A family friend is 20 and has had a heck of a time gaining ANY employment - not just plum jobs. She's stuck unable to go back to school after a year of university, and is applying to college instead. Maybe the problems/opportunities are regional but I know she has tried and not been able to find work. (There might be something to the story I'm not aware of.) The 19-25 unemployment demographic is pretty staggering in this country.

I'll also say that the mental health demographic is much wider than you'd ever suspect. There are many undiagnosed cases and instances of issues.

I couldn't even think of what I'd do on $600/mo. Would sure need subsidized housing.
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