Excerpt from abstract:
Despite the Ontario government's claim that "families are better off," many people in Ontario are worse off and struggling to get by, says a report released today by the Caledon Institute... "Booming for Whom" is the fifth and final in a series of reports that describe Ontarians' experiences and feelings of general insecurity from overwhelming and hasty policy changes, including education, health and jobs.
The study revealed:
- People want to work, but many work for wages that can not meet their expenses.
- Good jobs have been replaced by temporary, contract, self-employed and part-time jobs.
- Employment Insurance is harder to get and social assistance is under attack.
- Housing, child care, education and health care cost more because of cuts and changes to government programs.
- In response, people spend less on food and personal care and they take on more debt, strategies which are unsustainable.
- Many regularly receive money from family or have moved in with family or others manage housing costs: This can damage important relationships.
- None of those interviewed said tax cuts had provided them with any net benefit