Ontario Works change a bad idea: doctor

By W. Brice McVicar
BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER - Monday, November 14, 2005 @ 10:00

Photo: Deborah Young of Marmora answers questions as Dr. Sara Wiesenberg fills out her form for the special diet allowance. Photo by W. Brice McVicar

A Trenton-based doctor is concerned the Ontario government is threatening the ability of local families to eat healthy, nutritious meals.

Dr. Sara Wiesenberg assessed people Saturday afternoon for the special diet allowance on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability cheques. Those on social assistance need a doctor’s recommendation for the special dietary allowance, which can mean up to $250 more on their monthly cheque.

Last week, anti-poverty activists accused the Ontario government of making it harder for individuals to access the funds. Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello said the groups were incorrect as all the province had done was change the form for the allowance so doctors must state a medical condition which requires a special diet.

Regardless, the Tenant Action Group (TAG) held a "Hunger Clinic" in Belleville on Saturday. The event had roughly 40 people attend and be assessed by Wiesenberg so they can receive the payment on their cheques.

Wiesenberg said her concern is simply to ensure these people get healthy food.

"I do a number of different things and one of the things I do is I’m in public health," she said. “I see good nutrition as a preventative measure and, of course, there are the people who actually need, as a part of their chronic disease management, certain special diets."

Last month, when Pupatello was the guest speaker at a Liberal fundraiser, she told reporters the issue with the program and the changes which have occurred have been prompted by people who "take advantage" of the program.

"It is not my place to judge what they do with it," Wiesenberg said regarding the recipients. “If the government wants to do some sort of feasibility study or an evaluation ... Okay. They should have thought of that before they implemented it. It’s not my role to judge."

The controversy surrounding the program is a mystery to Wiesenberg.

"What part is controversial? Good nutrition?"

One local resident who was there to be assessed was Deborah Young of Marmora. Young said she needs the money to ensure she, her husband and their eight-year-old daughter can eat properly.

Young and her husband — who recently broke his back — are both on disability. With their current cheque of just over $1,200 per month the family is often left "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, Young said she is in need of the funds due to complications from the disease which causes inflammation in the small intestine. Nutritional complications are common with the disease and certain foods cannot be eaten.

"Fibre is a big no-no for me. A lot of things average people can eat are things I’m not supposed to have," she said.