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13 · Wednesday, May 26, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com NDP and MPP square off over meal policies Continued from page 12 tolerate is fraud." Flynn mentioned that some applicants used doctors not near their own residence, such as a Hamilton doctor signing up a Mississauga applicant. He also mentioned that 99 per cent of the applicants cited celiac disease (which limits what people can eat) as the reason for needing the allowance. However, Flynn said celiac disease has a very low occurrence of about one per cent of the population. But Ede believes the allowance is needed because of the low assistance rates. He said Ontario Works benefit levels have gone down 45 per cent since 1995 under the Mike Harris government and continued to fall under the current McGuinty government. He noted the current Ontario Works rates, which are: $572 per month for a single person and $1,089 for a family with two children. The disability program offers $1,020 for a single person and $1,680 for a family with two children. He noted that those rates are only enough for people to either pay rent or eat, but not both, and people choose to pay rent and get food at a food bank. "I'm not trying to criticize food banks, but they have to serve non-perishable foods such as canned goods," he said. He added people need fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, which are generally not available at a food bank. Flynn said the McGuinty government has taken several actions to support, who he calls, the vulnerable. Since taking office in 2003, the McGuinty Liberals have raised social assistance rates by 12 per cent and raised the ODSP levels for families by 33 per cent. The government also raised minimum wage to $10.25, created property tax credits for families and seniors and created affordable child care spaces and new affordable housing units. "I think that's pretty reasonable under the circumstances," Flynn said. The MPP also mentioned each time the government raised minimum wage, and when it created the tax credits and increased the number of affordable housing units, the NDP has voted against it. Flynn added he isn't surprised when the Progressive Conservative Party votes against these issues, because it's not its platform issue, but he expects the NDP to support the government on those issues. Ede, however, noted the 12-per--cent increase in social assistance is minimal due to inflation. He also noted the government raised social assistance rates by one per cent in the current budget, but the rate of inflation this year was 1.9 per cent. "That's actually not an increase, it's a cut," Ede said. At the protest Ede presented a box of canned goods, pasta and similar items to Flynn's office as a demonstration of what people eat when they are on social assistance programs. "The $200 million that was spent on the special diet allowance, the $200 million that was spent on feeding poor people was unacceptable (to the government)," Ede said. "But just in this past budget, the McGuinty government announced, they will be giving away $4.5 billion in corporate tax cuts. But we do not have $200 million to make sure hungry people have enough food." A Carrier system for your budget COMPLETE INFINITY SERIES SYSTEM on Cash Promoti The Cool on until is Get up to a July 15, 201 0! $ 3,280 rebate* + A1 Air Conditioning & Heating (905) 844-2949 A 10-year parts­limited warranty 58MVC, 24ANA1 AC, Infinity TM Control & Infinity TM Air Purifier Call your Carrier dealer to SAVE BIG TODAY! Broom's Heating & Air Conditioning (905) 634-7701 Maintemp Heating & Air Conditioning (905) 681-3440 * Cool cash rebates paid on qualifying products and systems ranging from $50-$1,100. When an InfinityTM Air Purifier is added to qualifying product(s), rebate then ranges from $150-$1,200. 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Surroundings Gallery presents AN EXHIBITION AND SALE OF ORIGINAL ART BY CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN ARTISTS (including Matthew Coles, Fiona Hoop, Robert McAffee, Judith Christine Mills, Alex Sheriff, Brandon Titaro, Kyle Tonkens) (Opening Reception: Saturday, May 29th 1:00pm to 6:pm) images: top left: Robert McAfee "French River Current" 19"x24" oil on canvas; bottom left: Matthew Coles "Acclamation" 30"x60" enamel on canvas; centre: Fiona Hoop "Metro-Crimson 34"x26" acrylic on board; right: Judith Christine Mills "Voyageurs" 36"x48" acrylic on canvas. MAY 29TH - JUNE 13, 2010 Surroundings Gallery 125 Cross Avenue, Oakville (Trafalgar Village Mall - opposite Home Depot) 905-842-0610 · email: surroundingsgallery @ bellnet.ca