Ontarians are outraged about Premier Doug Ford’s controversial remarks urging homeless people to get jobs.
At a press conference in Cobourg on Monday, Ford announced that his government is investing up to $25 million in the town’s water infrastructure to help enable new home construction.
Joined by Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini and Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland, he also answered questions from the media regarding his reported plans to restrict the construction of new bike lanes on city streets.
Ford was also asked about the lack of affordable housing in Northumberland, a county within Cobourg, where over 1,000 people are allegedly on waitlists for a home.
The premier insisted that his government has invested more than $2 million towards homelessness within the community, and has also contributed more than $200 million to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit. Ford then offered another suggestion to get people out of the current crisis.
“You know, the best way to get people out of encampments… get out of homeless? Get an application, drop it off at one of these companies and start working,” the premier said.
Ford stood firmly in his belief that healthy people needed to start working, and also said he would take care of unhealthy people for the rest of their lives (and his) if need be.
“But if you’re healthy, get off your A-S-S and start working like everyone else is. It’s very simple,” he said to an applauding crowd.
Many Ontarians have taken to social media to express their surprise and anger at Ford’s comments.
“You’re a cruel liar,” one user said on X towards the premier. “You don’t “take care” of “unhealthy” people… You don’t pay ODSP recipients with disabilities enough to keep a roof over their heads.”
“Doug Ford’s comments on homelessness miss the mark. Having seen a family member struggle with being unhoused, I know it’s not just about “getting to work.” Mental health, addiction, and the cost of living are key issues driving homelessness, not a lack of work ethic,” Peel District School Board Trustee Lucas Alves posted on X.
“We need compassion, affordable housing, and real support.”
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles penned a letter to Ontarians on X, scolding the premier and describing his remarks as “cruel and stupid.”
“Whether you work at a school, a mine, a grocery store or a hospital… You work hard and I know it,” Stiles wrote.
“[Ford] wants us to be thinking about whether that person who is struggling is “lazy” and not about why we can’t get struggling people the support they need, when they need it, or prevent people from losing their homes,” she added.
Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie also posted on X, condemning Ford for his economic “failures” and saying that he’s placing his faults on residents.
“After six years of Doug Ford’s greedy giveaways and failures to build new homes… he has a new person to blame for his housing crisis: you,” Crombie said.
“Ford thinks it’s your fault you can’t afford a home.”
Don Valley East MPP Dr. Adil Shamji also spoke out on X, highlighting some of the government’s economic crises.
“Doug Ford had one of his biggest A-S-S moments yesterday,” and then he highlighted in bullets that graduates can’t get hired, over one million people have visited food banks, and shelters are full.
“Shouldn’t you get to work?,” he added.
By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
