Ontario Regulation 341/24, enacted under the Ontario Works Act of 1997, introduces amendments to Ontario Regulation 135/98, particularly concerning the administration and cost-sharing of assistance programs. This regulation outlines revised frameworks for the distribution of assistance costs and clarifies the responsibilities of delivery agents.

Delivery agents are typically non-profit organizations or other designated agencies that implement assistance programs and manage the distribution of benefits to eligible individuals and families.

A key amendment involves the removal of the previous heading “Application and Interpretation” from Ontario Regulation 135/98, leading to a restructuring of the interpretation sections. The regulation also introduces several essential definitions, including “assistance costs,” which refers to the total costs of assistance provided under the Act, excluding employment assistance that Ontario reimburses or cost-shares. A “cost-sharing agreement” is defined as an agreement delineating how costs are distributed among municipalities in a geographic area.

Delivery agents are now explicitly accountable for assistance costs and administrative expenses within their designated geographic areas. Ontario will subsidize these costs according to specific guidelines. The regulation delineates a clear structure for subsidies based on whether the geographic area includes territory without municipal organization. In areas without such territory, Ontario will cover 100% of the assistance costs and 50% of reasonable administrative costs. Conversely, in regions that include unorganized territory, Ontario will still cover 100% of assistance costs but will provide varying percentages for administrative costs based on the locale.

Furthermore, Regulation 341/24 establishes limits on the amount delivery agents can receive monthly in subsidies for discretionary benefits. For each geographic area, the maximum is determined by a fixed amount multiplied by the number of recipients receiving basic financial assistance and income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act. This limit is set at $10 per recipient, with a minimum threshold of $2,500 for low-distribution months.

Regarding recovery and payments, delivery agents that recover assistance payments are required to return the recovered amounts to Ontario. Additionally, if a delivery agent, previously identified as a delivery partner, owes amounts from its time as a delivery agent, these can be deducted from future subsidies.

The regulation also allows municipalities within geographic areas to enter into cost-sharing agreements, enabling them to collaboratively manage their financial responsibilities. If disputes arise regarding the apportionment of costs, the regulation outlines mechanisms for arbitration, including procedures for initiating arbitration, appointing arbitrators, and finalizing awards, which must be completed within three months.

Ontario (341/24) September 21, 2024