The social assistance program is an important element of social policy and achieving the goal of poverty reduction in Ontario. In 2014–15, the program is expected to cost about $8.5 billion. It currently provides assistance to about 900,000 beneficiaries. In view of this importance, the Ontario government established the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario in November 2010. The terms of reference required the review to “recommend ways to improve work-related outcomes, while providing appropriate income supports and access to opportunities that will enable participation in and attachment to the labour market, and guarantee security for those who cannot work.” The commission put out two discussion papers and a final report was submitted to the Government of Ontario in October 2012. The report contained 108 recommendations, largely focused on the benefit structure and employment supports under the program. In addition, the commission also focused on the important question of accountability for results. Two years later, it is helpful to take stock of the recommendations of the commission and determine the extent to which they have been implemented or not.
