Party Platforms concerning Social Programs and Social Justice

Diocese of Algoma Social Justice Committee

ONTARIO ELECTION 2025 – PARTY PLATFORMS ANNOUNCED CONCERNING SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Compiled from announcements, party sites and 3^rd party tracking sites by committee member Rev Ann Camber

Please Note: this is an informational document. It makes no attempt to suggest how to vote. The Social Justice committee asks only that you consider these social justice issues as you decide whom to support. We do urge participation in this very important civic duty of voting and recognition that the biggest factor involved in helping the vulnerable is social policy and funding. Thank you.

We also ask that our Algoma Diocese Parishes pray for wisdom and discernment as we vote and choose our governmental leaders in the province of Ontario at this critical time.

“Lord, keep this nation under your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth. Help us elect trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve you faithfully in our generation to the honour of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.” (Page 678 BAS)

“Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: guide and direct, we humbly beseech thee, the minds of all who those who are called at this time to elect persons to serve in the Province of Ontario. Grant that in the exercise of their choice they may promote thy glory, and the welfare of this Province. And this we beg for the sake of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.” (BCP page 50)

POLICY	PC’S	LIBERAL	Green Party	NDP

HOUSING	No new plans continuing the focus of creating conditions to build new homes which includes the 5 billion Ontario fund for housing, long term care and energy . 1.2 Billion of this is allotted to Social Relief fund	Build more affordable housing Remove HST from home heating and hydro	Add 4 plexes in all areas of the province, 6 plexes in cities, mid height apartments on travel corridors Add 310,000 rental homes (includes the supportive housing)	Expand rent controls to all apartment buildings, crack down on renovictions, Limit Air B&Bs, allow 4 plexes in all neighbourhoods, allow mid height apartments along transit corridors, build 300,000 rental homes
HOMELESSNESS	Allotted 75 million for municipalities to clear homeless encampments and build housing	Responsibility for supportive housing, addictions and mental health away from municipalities to province	Add 60, 000 supportive housing units	Build 60,000 supportive housing units and have province take over cost of shelters from municipalities
INCOME SUPPORTS FOR DISABLED (ODSP)	Increase ODSP rates with the rate of inflation each July	Permanently Double disability support programs pegged to cost in inflation	Double disability payments ODSP	Double ODSP payments
INCOME SUPPORTS FOR THE POOR (OW)	OW unchanged, administration being switched from local social services board to Ontario Employment department.	Not listed	Double Income Supports for the poor OW	Double OW social assistance rates
FOOD INSECURITY, COST OF GROCERIES AFFORDABILITY	Reduce cost to taxpayers by fighting carbon tax Continuing 5.7 cent reduction on Gas	Cut income tax by 2% for middle class families,	Cut income taxes for those earning below 65,000 Minimum wage $20.00 an hour	Monthly Rebates on Groceries for low to middle income Ontarians based on income
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS	Previously tabled bill: More powers given to police to apprehend people for public drug use. Trespassing. Shutting down reduced harm sites near schools	Not listed	Cover mental health and addictions under OHIP Include these services in rural areas and connect to family heath teams Reopen supervised injection sites	Wants supportive housing initiatives to include special emphasis on mental health and addictions and reducing need for encampments
ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE	1.4 Billion new funding in addition to present funding to connect Ontarians with primary health care providers, 300 primary health care teams	3.1 Billion to attract and retain new doctors 3,100 new doctors Expand family health teams and have financial incentives for Canadian health professional to in US to return to Canada.	1 Billion funding 3500 new doctors Reduce paperwork Speed up training to allow international doctors to practice Focus on health care teams	Recruit and support 3,500 new doctors, Introduce more family health teams
SENIOR AND ELDER CARE	Not listed	Pay all PSW’s a living wage	Promise to build 48,000 non profit long term care homes	Begin strict Nurse to patient ratios, hire 15,000 nurses, Monthly Caregiver Benefit, make it less expensive for seniors to renovate their home to enable to age in place.