One Million Hungry: Ontario's Food Bank Crisis
Over 1 million unique Ontarians used a food bank in 2024-25 — a 165% increase since Ford took office. Ontario Works has been frozen at $733/month since 2018 despite 23%+ inflation, pushing record numbers to food banks the province doesn't adequately fund.
👷 An in effect Labour policy from November 2018 · Well sourced
Updated · Created
"Supporting Vulnerable Ontarians"
The government provides social assistance through Ontario Works and ODSP to help those in need while encouraging pathways to employment.
"Record Food Bank Use While ODSP Sits at Poverty Level"
Food bank visits in Ontario hit a record 800,000+ per month — a 40% increase in two years — while the government kept ODSP rates at $1,308/month, 40% below the poverty line. Rather than raise rates, the government pointed to federal programs and inflation as the cause.
- Feed Ontario reported 800,000+ food bank visits per month — 40% increase since 2021source
- ODSP rates remain at $1,308/month — $14,000 below the poverty linesource
- 1 in 3 food bank users are childrensource
- Government committed to only 5% ODSP increase tied to inflation — not catching up to poverty linesource
This section represents editorial interpretation of documented evidence.
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