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Chiefs of Ontario - Social Services Bulletin December 1997 |
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| Ontario Works On December 10 the Planning and Priorities Committee (PPC) and First Nations leaders met with Janet Ecker, Minister of Community and Social Services to discuss Ontario Works. Bill 142, the Social Assistance Reform Act was passed November 24 and given Royal Assent November 26. The province is planning to proclaim Ontario Works for province-wide implementation on April 1, 1998. The Minister stated that regulations to be released in the next few weeks will change cost-sharing for municipalities, but this will not affect First Nations. |
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First Nations Exemption to Ontario Works Act: First Nations leaders advised the Minister that we are seeking exemption from the Social Assistance Reform Act in whole or in part. The decision of whether to implement Ontario Works should rest with each First Nation community. However, the Minister gave no response on this issue. |
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Roundtable: The Minister did commit to a tripartite roundtable with First Nations and INAC, and possibly other provincial ministries, to look at OW in relation to First Nations, and to consider how to address First Nations job creation and economic development. An initial meeting involving MCSS Assistant Deputy Minister Kevin Costante, INAC Regional Director General John Donnelly and the PPC occurred on Wednesday, December 17 at the Chiefs of Ontario office in Toronto. A follow-up Roundtable discussion is now being planned for January 15, 1998. This office has now received written confirmation that the Ministry has agreed to extend transition funding for First Nations until March 31, 1998 to facilitate the transition and joint planning process. |
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