Advocate for fair Ontario Works rates toolkit
Ontario Works provides financial assistance to those needing help to pay for basic needs. This toolkit was created to help spread the word and raise awareness about the urgent need to increase Ontario Works (OW) rates.
How to use the toolkit
The PPRC has developed a webpage using the voices of residents with lived and living experience of being Ontario Works recipients. Through a series of questions, we hear from residents about their experience through images, videos and voiced descriptions.
- Partners and advocates can download the materials in the zip file provided to reshare on their social media platforms.
- Images are sized for Instagram, X and LinkedIn.
- Each question asked of participants has a corresponding series of social cards with images and quotes that reflect the responses received.
- The short videos can be shared to stories or as clips to redirect viewers to the information and links.
- The long videos can also be downloaded and shared from the Peel Poverty Reduction Committee’s YouTube channel.
All stories and quotes shared in this campaign come from real residents. All names have been omitted to respect the privacy of participants who courageously shared their experiences.
Section 1: Long videos
These videos are real testimonials from people living on Ontario Works.
Section 2: Short videos
These videos are short-form testimonials from people living on Ontario Works
Download zip file of 6 short videos
Section 3: LinkedIn posts and X/Twitter
Drafted and curated LinkedIn and X/Twitter posts and captions to share with your network
Download zip file of LinkedIn/X posts
Section 4: Instagram posts
Drafted and curated Instagram posts and captions to share on your personal and professional accounts
Download zip file of Instagram posts
Sample social media captions
The following are captions that can be used when sharing the social card series of questions and quotes as a carousel series. Captions can also be used when sharing short or long videos.
The Peel Poverty Reduction Committee asked Peel residents: What is it like to live on Ontario Works?
Swipe to hear their experiences.
In 2024, a single person received $10,455 per year on social assistance (Ontario Works) and other benefits, putting them 64% below the poverty line of $29,329.
To learn more, visit povertyinpeel.ca
The Peel Poverty Reduction Committee asked Peel residents: How do you manage with what you receive from Ontario Works?
Swipe to see what Peel residents shared on how they stretch limited support for food, rent, and daily life.
Feed Ontario reported that nearly 32% of 2025 food bank visitors in the province relied primarily on Ontario Works for income.
To learn more, visit povertyinpeel.ca
The Peel Poverty Reduction Committee asked Peel residents: How did you manage before Ontario Works?
Peel residents reflect on life before needing support.
Swipe to read their stories.
Did you know that: The number of people on OW in 2025 has increased by 12% from the previous year.
To learn more, visit povertyinpeel.ca
The Peel Poverty Reduction Committee asked Peel residents: How do you support your family while on
Ontario Works?Real voices. Real stories from Peel residents. Their answers speak volumes.
Swipe to learn more.
In 2024, a single parent with one child received $24,130 per year on social assistance (Ontario Works) and other benefits, putting them 42% below the poverty line of $41,478.
To learn more, visit povertyinpeel.ca
The Peel Poverty Reduction Committee asked Peel residents: How does it feel being on Ontario Works?
Residents shared honest reflections on seeking stability and the stress of living well below the poverty line.
Swipe to read their voices.
Peel residents on Ontario Works live well below the poverty line, with rates frozen since 2018 despite rising living costs.
To learn more, visit povertyinpeel.ca
PPRC social media platforms
Please remember to either tag the PPRC or provide a link to povertyinpeel.ca to encourage viewers to find out more.
- Instagram: @peelpoverty
- LinkedIn: Peel Poverty Reduction Committee
- X: @peel_poverty
- YouTube: @Peel Poverty Reduction Committee
How to contact us
If you have any questions about the campaign or the content, please reach out to poverty@peelregion.ca