QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Catherine Fife (Waterloo), NDP Finance critic, released the following statement after Ford’s politicians unveiled a fiscal update under the shadow of shocking new statistics on people experiencing homelessness in Ontario:
“Ford’s politicians seem to think that everything is fine in their world – but the numbers tell a different story. Today we learned that roughly three of every 200 people in Ontario are experiencing homelessness – nearly a quarter of a million people.
For any good government, numbers like this would be cause to take immediate action. People in Ontario deserve a government that’ll help keep a roof over their head. These numbers should be a wake-up call – but these politicians are asleep at the wheel.”
Quick Facts
- The new statistics were uncovered in documents from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, unearthed in a Freedom of Information request
- Nearly a quarter of a million people are experiencing homelessness – including 59,100 people on OW and ODSP
- The article also revealed that shelters are 97% full and supportive housing waitlists are 7 years long – something here isn’t working.
- Last year, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario urged the province to focus on housing and homelessness as a key priority area. Things have only gotten worse.