Doug Ford's cuts to social services hurt Londoners: NDP MPP

LONDON — Terence Kernaghan, NDP MPP for London North Centre, will host a community town hall this evening to discuss the impact Doug Ford’s cuts to social services is having on London families. Lisa Gretzky, Ontario NDP Social Services critic, will join Kernaghan.

The community town hall comes after Doug Ford cut $900 million in supports for people with disabilities, those living in poverty, and for vulnerable women and children across the province.

“Doug Ford’s cuts are hurting Londoners by making it harder for them to access social services when they need them,” said Kernaghan. “People battling cancer or living with MS shouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet because of claw backs to ODSP. Families caring for children with disabilities shouldn’t have to face the anxiety and stress of having respite support ripped away. And adults with developmental disabilities shouldn’t be deprived of the opportunity to participate in their communities.”

Kernaghan and Gretzky will address changes to ODSP, Passport funding, Special Services at Home, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and concerns about a lack of affordable supportive housing options. The NDP MPPs will be joined by community members concerned about how Ford’s cuts will affect funding for programs and services for Londoners.

“Londoners — and all Ontario families — deserve so much better than a government that makes cuts to the social services that serve as a lifeline for so many,” said Gretzky. “We should be doing more to support people with disabilities, people living in poverty, and vulnerable women and children, not less. The social safety net should be there to protect us all, and we can’t afford to let Doug Ford take it away.”