General Design

    General Beliefs:

•	More positive, long term progress is achieved when powerful, well designed, positive actions are patiently used to build public awareness of bad government policies, legislation and execution
•	The Legislature of Ontario is only an entity and therefor cannot really care about Ontario’s less fortunate, we must gain the support of MPPs before we can attain any real level of success
•	Change will only happen when Ontarians get on board with challenging the validity of ODSP
•	Municipalities must be brought on board with our actions as they have a large financial stake in the support payed to ODSP Recipients
•	ODSP treats Recipients with disregard for their Human Rights and the Law
•	The assistance given by ODSP is punitive
•	Much more money is wasted by ODSP agents forcing frivolous internal reviews and SBT appeals due to the intentional design of their computer system, inept CSR’s, vague legislation and misguided policy procedures than by Recipient fraud attempts
•	Legislative ‘Bad Faith Acts’ by ODSP and the agents of ODSP is ignored by the province while government and the press are ready to pounce on Recipients if there is only a perceived misuse of the ODSP Legislation
	ODSP Agents frequently abuse their legislative power
•	There would be a great reduction in attempted or contemplated recipient fraud if:
	•	the existing legislation was replaced with a fair legislation that addresses the real needs of ODSP Recipient’s as dictated by current and ongoing Living Standards experienced by the mean level of the average Ontarian
	•	recipients are treated in a manner consistent with the Human Rights Act and their relating preambles
	•	the issue of fear that ravages most recipients when they must have contact and dealings with an ODSP office is removed
	•	consideration and accommodation for the psychological challenges faced by ODSP Recipients when dealing with ODSP personnel was included in everyday practice

    Goals:

•	Reformation of existing ODSP legislation into a program that will actually provide protection, care, support, dignity and worth to disabled Ontarians who are unable to provide for themselves		•
•	Advance the social status of ODSP Recipients
•	To provide an avenue for spreading awareness of problems and solutions faced by recipients in dealing with ODSP on an office level and a provincial level
•	To build awareness by the general population of Ontario of the Human Rights violations that are imposed on ODSP recipients
•	To build awareness by the general population of Ontario of the Legislative violations that are imposed on ODSP recipients by ODSP Agents
•	To provide a means of distributing information to ODSP recipients and applicants of their benefit entitlements and assist them in receiving all of the benefit and assistance allowed and owing by Ontario Law
•	To make direct contact with at least 50% of ODSP Recipients and ensure that at least 70% are aware of our existence and services offered
•	To gather support of Ontarians in providing adequate assistance to ODSP recipients that will enable them to live with dignity and receive the guarantees offered them under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Human Rights Act of Canada
•	To develop, co-ordinate and execute ‘Two Day Province Wide Petition Drives' focusing on ODSP Legislation changes. To further co-ordinate the collection of the completed petitions for simultanious presentation to the Ontario Legislature.
•	Create a log of ‘Acts of Bad Faith’ by ODSP agents when dealing with ODSP recipients and release the initial list to the Ministry of Social Services, ODSP Directors and the Ontario Media and continued with monthly update releases:
	•	Information that should be available to Recipients being with held
	•	Benefits owed under the current legislation or regulations denied or otherwise withheld - may be proved by decisions by SBT against ODSP
	•	Instances of belligerence by ODSP Agents
	•	Failure to provide accurate information to Recipients
	•	Withholding of services unjustly - may be proved by decisions by SBT against ODSP
	•	Violations of Recipient’s Human Rights

    Mandate:

The ODSP Recipients Advocacy Group will be a province wide group (entity) whose sole purpose will be to complete their goals as set out above. The working name will be ODSP RAG’s and be represented by either ‘ODSP RAG’s’ or 'RAG’s’. This mandate will be for a term of six (6) years at which time it is our aim that the above-mentioned goals will be attained or on track for completion. If the goals are not achieved within this time frame a new mandate may be created to carry on the work initiated by ODSP RAG’s.

The general operations of the ODSP Recipients Advocacy Group will be governed by a Board comprised of members of ODSP RAG’s. General Operational decisions will be made by a 2/3 majority vote of the members of ODSP RAG’s Board. Changes that affect the structure, mandate or function of the ODSP Recipients Advocacy Group will require approval by receiving a 2/3 majority vote of the full ODSP Recipients Advocacy Group Membership.

The ODSP Recipients Advocacy Group will be deemed an official entity at the call to order of the first designated official meeting of ODSP RAG’s Board. No changes may be made to the structure, mandate or function of the ODSP Recipients Advocacy Group within 6 months of ODSP RAG’s’s existence.

Base Operational Design:

ODSP Recipient’s Advocacy Group will actively pursue financial and physical support from members of the Ontario Business Community who may be in support of ending poverty and injustice in Ontario. ODSP RAG’s will also actively pursue endorsements from Ontario public figures who support the ending of poverty and injustice in Ontario. ODSP RAG’s will also seek start-up funds from service and community groups located in the province.

Advocacy members will be invited to make donations of time, energy and / or financially as they are able to. At no time will any form of membership dues or fees be made mandatory part of membership requirements for ODSP Recipients!

This page last updated on April 15, 2008