Ulli Diemer — Radical Digressions

In the wake of massive cutbacks to social assistance rates implemented by the Harris government in the 1990s, cutbacks which were not reversed by the Liberal government that replaced it in 2003, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) informed social assistance recipients on Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) that they might be eligible for the little known Special Diet Allowance - an additional payment of up to $250 per month.

Over 100 healthcare professionals and experts signed a letter saying that all OW and ODSP recipients should be entitled to the full $250 per month supplement on a permanent and ongoing basis due to the inadequate welfare rates.

In 2005, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) announced a Special Diet signup clinic on the front lawn at Queen's Park to be held on October 3rd. Over 1,000 people signed up for the clinic. Miriam was one of the health providers from Regent Park who participated in the signup clinic.