A large group of Windsor area residents have come together to let Premier Doug Ford know that they are not going to sit idly by while he cuts services and programs.
About 100 people, including local MPPs and community activists, attended a town hall at the University of Windsor downtown campus Thursday night to share stories about how the provincial budget cuts will affect them. The group is also developing recommendations and strategies to pass along to the premier.
Marion Overholt of Legal Assistance of Windsor, who co-hosted the town hall, said there are a wide variety of concerns, including a 30 per cent cut to legal aid.
"Last year alone we provide over 2,000 residents with assistance at landlord/tenant court to help them fight evictions. So, if we have to cut back on that service people are going to be evicted and we're likely to end up with more people on the street," Overholt said.
Overholt said the province is also changing the definition of disability support, which will mean fewer people getting benefits.
"That new definition is going to be more restrictive and less people will be able to qualify for a disability pension," she added.
Overholt said other cuts to health units, education and children's aid societies will greatly affect the Windsor area.
"All these issues are going to affect people and we're especially concerned about low-income residents because they are most dependent on public services and they will likely feel the greatest impact of these cuts," said Overholt.
Other co-hosts were the Unemployed Help Centre, the Downtown Windsor Community Collaborative, and the Windsor Worker's Education Centre.
