Members of the Ontario Association Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS) visited Queen’s Park on Oct. 19 to deliver the message that investments in developmental services are urgently needed.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, who serves as Progressive Conservative critic for community and social services, questioned social services minister Helena Jaczek in the legislature.
“OASIS tells me there are 20,000 families stuck on waiting lists. That’s outrageous. It’s totally unacceptable,” said Pettapiece.
“Community agencies want to help, but this government has been nickel-and-diming them for years.”
In response, the minister said the government is dedicated to their care and noted the government has doubled the funding to the sector to $2 billion.
She added, “We recognize there is more to do. In fact, in this year’s budget, a budget the opposition voted against, we committed a further $677 million over four years.”
Yet Pettapiece pointed out there are 710 requests for community agency services in Perth-Wellington alone.
Later in the afternoon, Pettapiece met with members from OASIS and discussed budget pressures community agencies are facing, including a nine-year freeze in core operating funds and pay equity obligations.
“The [developmental services] system is badly broken, and I think the minister understands that,” said Pettapiece in his question.
