A local group wants the province to raise the rates when it comes to social assistance.
Poverty Free Thunder Bay was outside of the Italian Cultural Centre Tuesday afternoon for a rally and a chance to meet with Premier Kathleen Wynne. The group wants the provincial government to raise minimum wage, disability rates and Ontario works. Chair Terri Carter said a person on Ontario works in Thunder Bay receives just under $600 a month. That's not even enough to cover rent she said.
"It's time to have a conversation and have some changes there," she said before the rally, which was expecting around 15 people, began.
The evidence that social assistance payments are too low is all around Thunder Bay Carter said, from full shelters in the summertime to empty cupboards at local food banks.
"Our food banks are running out of food," she said. "Something is going on."
All parties need to work together to make the changes Carter said.
"The will has to be there."
Wynne was not available for comment Tuesday night.
