District councilors received the latest breakdown on Ontario Works numbers during their latest meeting.

Cheryl Faber, the community services director of program told councillors that the goal of Ontario Works is to support people who want to achieve two goals. Number one is employment and number two is earnings and helping people achieve financial independence.

Faber said there are currently 1,654 OW or ODSP recipients on their caseload in Muskoka. Of those, just under 18 percent reported employment earnings. The average monthly net income for those in the system in Muskoka was $870.

The 2019 OW budget at the District of Muskoka is $2.2 million.