News (Media Awareness Project) - CN ON: Ont Wants Drug Tests For People On Welfare |
| Title: | CN ON: Ont Wants Drug Tests For People On Welfare |
| Published On: | 2000-11-15 |
| Source: | Province, The (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 02:23:36 |
ONT. WANTS DRUG TESTS FOR PEOPLE ON WELFARE
TORONTO (CP) - The Ontario government has unveiled a controversial plan
which would make it the first province in Canada to force welfare recipients
to undergo drug testing before giving them their cheques.
The move has raised the ire of activists who say such a move would violate
human rights, and harm children and single mothers.
Under the proposal, released Tuesday by Social Services Minister John Baird,
individuals who tested positive and then refused treatment would be
ineligible for assistance.
Baird insisted the plan is designed to help drug addicts rather than punish
them.
"Our government is not prepared to simply turn its back and write anyone
off," Baird said. "It's tough to get a job and hold a job if you're addicted
to drugs."
The proposal is subject to a six-week consultation process in which the
province will meet with municipalities and legal experts.
Critics were immediately skeptical of the plan, denouncing it as a ploy to
pare down Ontario's welfare rolls.
Andrea Calver of the Ontario Coalition for Social Justice said mandatory
testing would have a serious impact on single mothers and children, who make
up a large segment of the 450,000 Ontarians currently on welfare.
"Half of the people on welfare are children, and they're going to be
impacted by this legislation because the government wants to kick more
people off welfare," said Calver. "It's wrong."
When asked what form of testing and what types of "treatment" were being
proposed, the minister's press secretary said Baird plans to travel the
province to consult with experts and "the general public" before deciding.
Ontario cites several American jurisdictions, including Oregon, Maryland,
Nevada and North Carolina who have already integrated substance abuse
treatment into their welfare reforms.
The proposal has already been questioned by Ontario's Human Rights
commissioner Keith Norton.
Norton warned drug users cannot be denied welfare because addictions are
considered a handicap under the province's Human Rights Code.
TORONTO (CP) - The Ontario government has unveiled a controversial plan
which would make it the first province in Canada to force welfare recipients
to undergo drug testing before giving them their cheques.
The move has raised the ire of activists who say such a move would violate
human rights, and harm children and single mothers.
Under the proposal, released Tuesday by Social Services Minister John Baird,
individuals who tested positive and then refused treatment would be
ineligible for assistance.
Baird insisted the plan is designed to help drug addicts rather than punish
them.
"Our government is not prepared to simply turn its back and write anyone
off," Baird said. "It's tough to get a job and hold a job if you're addicted
to drugs."
The proposal is subject to a six-week consultation process in which the
province will meet with municipalities and legal experts.
Critics were immediately skeptical of the plan, denouncing it as a ploy to
pare down Ontario's welfare rolls.
Andrea Calver of the Ontario Coalition for Social Justice said mandatory
testing would have a serious impact on single mothers and children, who make
up a large segment of the 450,000 Ontarians currently on welfare.
"Half of the people on welfare are children, and they're going to be
impacted by this legislation because the government wants to kick more
people off welfare," said Calver. "It's wrong."
When asked what form of testing and what types of "treatment" were being
proposed, the minister's press secretary said Baird plans to travel the
province to consult with experts and "the general public" before deciding.
Ontario cites several American jurisdictions, including Oregon, Maryland,
Nevada and North Carolina who have already integrated substance abuse
treatment into their welfare reforms.
The proposal has already been questioned by Ontario's Human Rights
commissioner Keith Norton.
Norton warned drug users cannot be denied welfare because addictions are
considered a handicap under the province's Human Rights Code.
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