8. Socio-economic status, mental health and addictions

What has allowed for my accomplishments and some semblance of a quality of life distinctly relates to supportive family and class… But take that security away and my mental health would deteriorate very fast. I could very well be homeless – there were periods of time when I couldn't organize my thoughts to eat properly. The fact that in a province like Ontario people with invisible disabilities can be penalized for being ill is in itself a poor testament to our human rights. – Survey respondent

Many individuals and organizations talked about people’s experiences with poverty. Poverty is a significant concern for people across Ontario with psychosocial disabilities. Unemployment, underemployment, discrimination and the lack of affordable housing for people with psychosocial disabilities were identified as major factors contributing to poverty. Statistics Canada data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) shows that 27% percent of people in Ontario with “emotional” disabilities[43] live with low income[44] compared to people with other types of disabilities (10%) and people who did not report having disabilities (11%).

We were told that disability-related discrimination in housing, education and employment contributes to having low socio-economic status and fewer life choices. The Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) and many individual consultees explained how living in poverty leads to further experiences of discrimination or social exclusion, and affects people’s physical and mental health. We heard how policies that affect people living with low income (for example, needing to use a telephone to contact a service provider) will often have a negative effect on people with psychiatric disabilities or addictions more than others. We heard that people living with low incomes have a much harder time accessing services, housing and employment than other people.

There are clear links between poverty, mental health, addictions and other Code grounds. In general, people identified by Code grounds are more likely to have low incomes than other people. The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) identified groups who are particularly at risk for low income, and the negative health effects associated with it: lone parents (most frequently mothers), recent immigrants, persons with a work-limiting disability, Aboriginal Peoples, women, people who do not complete high school, and racialized people.[45] Because of the close connection between low social and economic status and membership in a Code-protected group , measures that subject people with low social and economic status to inequitable treatment may raise human rights concerns. Government, policy-makers and organizations should make sure that their policies and practices do not have an adverse impact on people identified by Code grounds.

We heard concerns that Canada is not meeting its international obligations to protect the right to an adequate standard of living, one of the social rights included in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) said this failure, by the federal and provincial governments, has been well documented by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and by the UN’s Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur, who reported concerns on the state of adequate housing in Canada in 2007.

In 2004, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) identified high rates of poverty for marginalized people in Canada, including people with disabilities.[46] The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) said that Ontario and Canada should continue to invest in efforts to eliminate social disparities, which are viewed as the root of a majority of health care issues, including mental health issues and addictions.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes that people with disabilities tend to live in poverty. Article 28 outlines the right to an adequate standard of living and social protection, including food, clothing and housing, without discrimination because of disability. By ratifying the CRPD, Canada has made a commitment to safeguard these rights, including ensuring access to poverty reduction programs, retirement benefits and programs, appropriate and affordable services, and financial assistance.[47]

ACTO and the RNAO called for explicit protection for people with low income in existing human rights legislation by adding “socio-economic status” as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the Code.

In 2009, the Ontario Legislature passed the Poverty Reduction Act, 2009[48] which commits the Government of Ontario to implementing its poverty reduction strategy (launched in 2008) and measuring and reporting on its progress. The Act says the poverty reduction strategy must recognize the heightened risk of poverty for people with disabilities, among other groups, and that people with disabilities must be regularly consulted on the strategy.[49] Although the province created a primary focus on reducing child poverty, including increasing access to mental health services for children and youth, it is not yet clear if these measures have made a difference in the lives of people with mental health issues and addictions. The recent economic downturn has meant cuts and budget freezes for housing and services that assist low-income Ontarians that will likely have an impact on poverty-reduction measures.[50]

On the low income provided by social assistance you can’t get proper food. Proper nutrition is especially important for people dealing with mental health challenges. – Participant in North Bay roundtable session

We were told that that low incomes cannot keep pace with the real cost of living. ARCH pointed to the difference between the shelter allowance provided by Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program, and the actual rents charged for adequate housing around the province. CMHA Ontario said that a large number of Ontarians with mental health issues receive social assistance benefits that place them well below the poverty line.[51] Consultees told us that when receiving social assistance, people have very little left after paying for rent and other basic needs, such as food.

The social assistance system in Ontario is currently (2012) undergoing a review – one of the commitments made in the Poverty Reduction Strategy. In its 2008 report on its human rights and housing consultation, Right At Home, the OHRC recommended that the Government of Ontario review and improve funding rates, programs, laws and regulations to make sure that low-income tenants are able to afford average rents, food and other basic necessities. People with low income, including people with psychiatric disabilities and addictions, must be able to afford the necessities of life. 

Recommendations:

4. The Government of Ontario, whenever considering budget restraint measures that affect services, housing and employment for people with low income, should particularly take into account the goals identified in the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the needs  of people with psychosocial disabilities, people living in poverty, and other groups protected by the Code.

5. The Government of Ontario should enhance and improve social assistance, including reviewing and improving benefits, to make sure that people can afford the necessities of life such as food, clothing, adequate shelter and other needs.