FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More Than 150 Angry Social Assistance Recipients Storm and Occupy Municipal Welfare Offices
OCCUPATION HAPPENING NOW: Metro Hall 55 John Street South-east corner of King and John (two blocks east of Spadina)
COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE ONGOING OCCUPATION. DEMAND THE CITY RELEASE MONEY PEOPLE NEED TO SURVIVE.
December 8th, 2009 - Members of the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) and more than 150 people struggling to survive on Ontario Works and ODSP are presently occupying the 12th floor of Toronto's Metro Hall.
The group is refusing to leave until they receive the Special Diet Benefit that they are entitled to.
The City is responsible for administering social assistance in Toronto, and people are currently being denied their right to the Special Diet Benefit. More people than ever are being forced to live on welfare in Ontario. They face two major problems. First of all, the income they receive does not let them pay their rent and feed their families properly.
Secondly, welfare offices do all they can to deny even the small benefits people are supposed to get. When they apply for Special Diet, Community Start Up and other benefits, they are denied their rights. This must stop.
COME OUT AND SUPPORT THE ONGOING OCCUPATION. DEMAND THE CITY RELEASE MONEY PEOPLE NEED TO SURVIVE.
OCCUPATION HAPPENING NOW: Metro Hall 55 John Street South-east corner of King and John (two blocks east of Spadina)
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Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
10 Britain St. Toronto, ON
M5A 1R6 416-925-6939
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