4. Know what activities you shouldn’t have to do
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released their latest take on mandatory vaccines, passports and testing, here: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-policy-statement-covid-19-vaccine-mandates-and-proof-vaccine-certificates. In light of this update, and the new directives that the Province released a few weeks ago, we are in the process of updating our covid testing content. Please re-visit the site to access the updated content when it is available.
Question & Answer
What can Ontario Works say that I have to do to find a job?It’s important to make sure that your Participation Agreement does not include any activities that you should not have to do.
Activities you should not have to do
Activities you should not have to do include ones that:
- are dangerous to your health or safety or could make a medical condition worse
- go against your personal or religious beliefs
- go against the membership rules of a union or professional association that you belong to
- you’re not able to do because you have a learning disorder
- stop you from looking after a family member if you’re their caregiver
And if you and your spouse have children who live with you, you may not have to do activities at the same time. But this does not apply when:
- your children are at school
- you have child care for them
Giving proof to OW
Ontario Works (OW) will ask you to prove why you should not have to do an activity. For example, you might need:
- a letter from a doctor
- a letter from your religious leader
- proof that you belong to a union or professional association, along with a document that shows the rules that members must follow
Reporting changes to OW
You need to tell OW when there are changes in your life because this might mean that you have to start doing activities that you’ve been excused from doing.
OW also reviews Agreements on a regular basis. So they could decide during a review that you have to start doing other activities.
If you have a problem with OW
If you don’t do the activities in your Agreement, OW can cut off or reduce your assistance.
But you may be able to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
For help dealing with OW or appealing a decision, contact a community legal clinic.
