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Ontario will completely redesign its social assistance system to move away from the current “cookie cutter” approach, says Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod.

The Minister did not provide many details but said the program will not be like Workfare, the initiative introduced by the former PC government of Mike Harris.

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The new multi-ministry initiative will ensure frontline staff help those on assistance able to work to become “employment ready,” while providing “additional wrap around” support for those who cannot enter the workforce, she said.

She described the current system as patchwork and ineffective.

“(The new system will) make sure that we empower people, and provide a lot more dignity and compassion in the system,” MacLeod said Wednesday.

“Right now in the province of Ontario, one-in-seven people are living in poverty. We have almost a million people on social assistance … ODSP or Ontario Works.”