The Ontario government has amended social assistance regulations effective immediately, excluding temporary visa holders and people living in Canada illegally from receiving Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits.
Scope and Details of the Amendments
The changes affect eligibility under the Ontario Works Act, 1997 and the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997. People who are in Canada without legal status, as well as those temporarily authorized to remain—including international students, temporary workers, visitor visa holders and tourists—are now explicitly excluded from provincial social assistance programs.
The amendments clarify that provincial financial support is reserved for individuals legally authorized to reside in Canada and
meeting all eligibility criteria.
Background of the Regulatory Change
The update follows a case involving an individual who entered Canada on a work permit in 1997, later lost legal status and lived illegally in Ontario for over two decades. The Ontario Social Benefits Tribunal permitted this person to claim Ontario Works benefits due to ambiguous wording in existing legislation that did not explicitly exclude some categories without legal status.
This decision was revealed through media reports, prompting Premier Doug Ford to commit to revising provincial rules to prevent taxpayer-funded benefits from going to those living in Canada illegally.
Government Response and Impact on Temporary Visa Holders
Ontario Minister of Children, Community and Social
Services Michael Parsa stated the government intends to support residents in need but will not provide social assistance to individuals living in the province illegally. Premier Doug Ford reaffirmed that social assistance is intended for those facing hardship legally residing in Canada and promised regulatory changes to make this policy explicit.
The changes do not affect the validity of study permits, work permits or visitor visas themselves but restrict social assistance eligibility for temporary visa holders. These groups, including international students and temporary workers, will no longer qualify for provincial financial aid under Ontario Works or ODSP programs.
