(Queen's Park) – Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop announced today that Simcoe County has experienced a 70.7 percent decrease in the number of cases on welfare since the government was first elected. As of December 2002, there were 3,428 cases on welfare, compared to about 11,700 cases in June 1995.

"Our government has continued to help people get the tools they need to move from welfare to work," said Dunlop. "Through programs like Ontario Works and the Learning, Earning and Parenting program, we are helping people on welfare overcome barriers to getting a job."

Ontario Works helps welfare recipients upgrade their education, take advantage of job training programs, and gain valuable work experience through community and private sector placements. The Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) program provides supports to young parents to help them complete their high school education, learn to be good parents, and enter the work force.

"Our government has changed welfare from a hand-out to a hand-up," said Dunlop. "We are helping welfare recipients in Simcoe County and across Ontario realize the dignity that comes with a job and the pride of being independent."

In June 1995, more than one million people were receiving welfare in Ontario. On March 7, the Eves government announced that in 2002 alone, more than 22,000 people left Ontario"s welfare rolls. A total of more than 620,000 people have stopped relying on welfare since June 1995, saving taxpayers more than $13 billion.

Contact:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)