David Thomasson cut-off by ODSP, again 1

[David Thomasson]

Hi Fireside Folks My story was in the the Cornwall Standard Freeholder October 25 page 1 http://tinyurl.com/34yekv

I typed the page 4 story onto the bottom of this media update. Trevor Pritchard  was in the room with us covering the story when the public were ordered to leave.

 

Please spread the word. Please help expose and stop ODSP discrimination.

 

The bottom line is I say the ODSP Act violates the Charter, Prove Me Wrong. I am still offering a $1,000 prize to the first person anywhere who can prove the ODSP Act complies with the Charter. I am still offering to stop opposing ODSP as soon as I am proven wrong. No one can do it, not even the attorney general's office. ODSP violates the Charter and is the single largest source of discrimination against Ontario's disabled people.

 

Sincerely David Thomasson

green...@yahoo.ca

 

 

 

NEW INFO STARTS

 

Cornwall ODSP cut-off  David Thomasson's ODSP money and medication benefits retroactive to October 1, 2007.

 

Sometime back in July or August ODSP sent me a letter asking for my 2006 tax return. I was swamped with farm work and charter challenge work and sending ODSP my tax return just didn't get done.

 

On October 30 I got a letter dated October 15 from Cornwall ODSP telling me that my money and medication benefits were cut-off  retroactive to Oct 1, until I gave them my 2006 tax return.

 

The appeal deadline was October 29. I missed it by half a day. I got their letter on the 30th, I photo-copied my tax return and delivered it on the 30th. But because I missed the October 29 deadline ODSP can choose to permanently cut me off from ODSP, or they can accept my info and process it.

 

If ODSP accept the info they will then have to punish me for paying wages to a farmworker in 2006 and disallow other legitimate farm business expenses.

 

It is just more ODSP harassment. I checked my mail on October 23, the day before my hearing. There was no letter from ODSP, this is important because ODSP deems a letter received after 3 days and starts an automatic 10 day appeal deadline. So my letter is dated Oct 15, add 3 days for delivery, and my 10 day deadline starts Oct 19. However, my letter arrived late and I missed the appeal deadline. Now  Cornwall ODSP have the discretion to reject my appeal because I was late or process my appeal.

 

ODSP must give me an answer by November 9 but if they mail it I might not get it until november 12th. Until then my ODSP money and medication benefits are cut-off. If ODSP refuses to accept my appeal I won't get any money or medication benefits until late november or early december. It takes at least 20 days after the local decision to get temporary ODSP benefits.

 

I was very lucky to get the letter on October 30th. I was almost out of my medication and I rushed to pick up my new prescription before my current drug card expired on the 31st.

 

I have been through all this before, it is just more ODSP harassment. I am lucky it happened now when I am still selling vegetables.  It could have been worse. ODSP could have cut me off in January, they've done that before.

 

My cell phone and cell email are working well (at least for now). The letter is "signed" by Susan Bihun the Eastern Region Director, but she is not the person who issued the letter. Cornwall ODSP normally punish me with letters "signed" by her so I won't know who really made the decision. It's harder to appeal if you don't know who convicted you or why.

 

My lawyer has been talking to the government lawyers for months, no one told him about the deadline. The Cornwall ODSP person was there at the hearing but did not tell us about the deadline.  Cornwall ODSP did not make a direct request to us for my 2006 taxes. They sent a letter without requiring confirmation of delivery, and then silently let the deadline expire. I think that's harassment. ODSP could have asked us for my 2006 tax return at the meeting, they could have told us about the deadline,  they didn't.

 

ODSP are clearly trying to harass and intimidate me into abandoning my charter challenge, it won't work. I am determined to stop ODSP discrimination.

 

I continue to offer $1,000 to the first person anywhere who can prove the ODSP Act complies with the Charter. No one can do it. Instead the government deliberately enforces unconstitutional legislation and harasses activists who try to stop them.

 

I challenge Premier McGuinty and Minister Meilleur to immediately stop all ODSP discrimination or resign.

 

My garden is doing great, the vegetables came through the frost just fine. I'll be picking for at least another 2 weeks, probably much longer. I have  a huge crop of salad greens.

 

Sincerely

Dave Thomasson

green...@yahoo.ca

 

 

Cornwall Standard-Freeholder Thursday October 25, 2007 p4

 

' Crazy Dave' balances politics and work by Trevor Pritchard

 

Dave Thomasson is rattling off the reasons why he feels Ontario's disability payment program in unconstitutional when he gets a call on his cell phone.

 

On the other end is one of Thomasson's potential customers - the owner of a swanky restaurant in Ottawa's Rideau Market,  just across from the U.S. embassy.

 

Thomasson, an organic vegetable farmer from the Bonville area, apologizes: he can't talk now, he says, as he's in the middle of a political protest.

 

A small group of activists showed up with Thomasson at the Civic Complex Wednesday morning to try and gain access to his hearing with the Ontario Disability Support Program's (ODSP) Social Benefits Tribunal.

 

The six activists, who carried large signs criticizing the support program, were told by tribunal adjudicator Brian Brown that Thomasson's hearing was "private and confidential" and that they would have to leave.

 

It's the second time Thomasson's been told that in the past few months and the decision has left him mystified both times.

 

"I have he constitutional right to a public hearing," he says. "And ODSP denies me that right."

 

Thomasson, who suffers from bipolar disorder, has never been shy about his mental illness. It's right up there in the name of his business, Crazy Dave's Organic Greens - which also happens to be the source of his complaints against the province.

 

He has argued that the way the province administers ODSP contravenes Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While Revenue Canada allows self-employed to claim their workers' wages as business expenses, ODSP garnishes the benefit cheques of disabled Canadians who do the same thing, he says.

 

Thomasson went before the Ontario Superior Court in September to argue that point, but before making any headway, the hearing was adjourned to give government lawyers more time to prepare.

 

Over that time, Thomasson's also become a crusader for a related cause: improving public access to ODSP hearings. On Wednesday, his lawyer Terrance Green told the tribunal the public had every right to witness the hearing, especially since they would be arguing a constitutional matter.

 

His arguments, however, carried little weight with the tribunal adjudicator or the ODSP representative, who aruges that she wasn't aware members of the public would be trying to attend the meeting.

 

Green called that argument "preposterous."

 

"The public does have a right to come in and hear (the tribunal's) arguments and come in and make up their own minds," said Green after the three-hour tribunal concluded late Wednesday afternoon.

 

Denise Vernier, the chair of the SD&G Action Coalition, was one of the protestors who was denied access to the meeting.

 

"I feel that they're hiding something when the public...can't be there," said Vernier, who also suffers from bipolar disorder.

 

Thomasson says after his last ODSP hearing, he paid about $700 to get a full trascript of what was said - something he's willing to do this time as well.

 

An undocumented, privately-held meeting makes it too easy for the province to abuse its power over disabled people, he argues.

 

"A (closed-door meeting) makes it very easy to throw your weight around," says Thomasson.

 

 

---

Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers.

[Frank]

Hi,

I sent an email about this to Sue-Ann Levy at the Toronto Sun. if I do not hear from her, I will contact other reporters.

I think evry member of this group should be encouraged to send an email to their local newspaper reporter. The more this gets out, the better.

It's worth a shot...and prayer wouldn't hurt either.


Charity looks at the need and not at the cause, Frank

[shelly75]

Im really sorry but in this case I cant feel much pity for him, he was
told in july or august that he had to provide his return and didnt
they didnt contact him till october to cut him off. I know when I got
told to mail my returns to them I had 2 weeks to do it or supply a
good reason it would be late if not done Im off then not almost 2
months later.
being busy with farm work is not an exuse to me I have a special needs
kid who takes up more work than 12 kids put together yet I can manage
to keep all stuff update and handed in as requested.

quote Sometime back in July or August ODSP sent me a letter asking for

my 2006 tax return. I was swamped with farm work and charter challenge

work and sending ODSP my tax return just didn't get done.end quote

[Janice Cerra]

Dear Shelly75

With all due respect, how dare you be so judgemental?? You have a 'child'
with a disability - YOU are NOT the one with the disability.

Farm work has to be one of the most gruelling jobs on earth, and to do it
with any type of disability deserves to be commended and treated with
compassion. The act of fighting ODSP is a mental and emotional strain and
becomes much worse for someone living with a mental illness such as
bipolar.

Please be more compassionate to the people on this site who ARE disabled and
find it difficult to constantly deal with the intrusions of ODSP. And,
congratulations to you for being "ABLE" to " manage to keep all stuff update

and handed in as requested."

Janice

-----Original Message-----
From: odspfi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:odspfi...@googlegroups.com]
On Behalf Of shelly75
Sent: 01 November 2007 19:36
To: ODSP Fireside
Subject: [odspfireside: 14685 ] Re: David Thomasson cut-off by ODSP, again 1

" being busy with farm work is not an exuse to me I have a special needs
kid who takes up more work than 12 kids put together yet I can manage
to keep all stuff update and handed in as requested."

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[shelly75]

janice with all due respect I too am disabled I actualy have bipolar,
aniexty and PTSD my child also has bipolar
I dont care if farm work is hard so is life when you put your name on
the dotted line for ODSP you agree to give them your info when they
ask ask not when you get around to it

[Malcolm53]

There are a couple of points that need to be made here for others who
find themselves in a similar position.

Check the Postmark Date on the envelope! We have found ODSP to be lax
(one wonders if this is lax or deliberate some times) on sending out
mail. There have been a number of times where there has been a date
difference of 4 to 5 days between the letter creation date and the
postmark date. It is a good idea to always keep the envelope with the
letter for any correspondence that may contain directions, requests or
appealable material.

Contrary to what one may be told the date of receipt of a notice is 3
days from the Date Of MAILING not the date printed on the letter!!!!
See Section 50 of the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997
S.O. 1997, CHAPTER 25 Schedule B
50. If notice is given by ordinary mail, it shall be deemed to be
received on the third day following the date of mailing. 1997, c. 25,
Sched. B, s. 50.

If a member becomes non-compliant, as David did, the regulations are
very plain on how this matter is to be delt with. The suspension is
only to apply as long as the non-compliance exists and only to the
member that is non-compliant. Non-Compliance is completely different
from becomming financially or medicaly ineligibile and is to be
treated as such.

Ontario Regulation 222/98
Non-Compliance with Conditions of Eligibility

23. (1) The Director shall refuse to provide income support to an
applicant or cancel or reduce the income support provided to a
recipient if a member of the benefit unit fails to comply with a
condition of eligibility for income support under the Act or this
Regulation other than a matter referred to in section 24. O. Reg.
222/98, s. 23 (1); O. Reg. 457/03, s. 1.

(2) If the recipient is a single person, the income support shall be
cancelled; if the recipient's benefit unit includes a dependant, the
income support shall be reduced by an amount equal to the budgetary
requirements and benefits for the person to whom subsection (1)
applies. O. Reg. 222/98, s. 23 (2).

(3) Income support shall be refused, cancelled or reduced under
subsection (1) as long as the member of the benefit unit fails to
comply with the condition of eligibility. O. Reg. 222/98, s. 23 (3).

ODSP agents are great at making up their own interpertations of rules
and regulations reguardless of the accuracy. This is one of the
biggest problems with ODSP, instability between offices and agents.
We must stand on guard to protect ourselves as it is painfully evident
that ODSP agents are incapable of doing this. I just love how they
feel that they can manipulate the law to suit themselves but become
indignant when we attempt to right a wrong.

Malcolm

[bjr]

I would not have wanted my meeting with the SBT open to the public,
though I do think they should respect the recipients right to have an
advocate(s) of their choice present.

[abrowne]

Janice/ Shelley,

I agree.  I think the nature of this board calls upon its writers to be

patient and tolerant of others; not everybody has the same level of

ability and capacity to deal with certain matters.  For example, I

have a legal background and I am able to navigate through piles of

bureaucracy, but I don't assume other people can unless they also

have that ability.  Many people are simply too exhausted after

dealing with their issues to then deal with ODSP; for some offices,

this can be an almost punitive experience.

ANGELA

Janice Cerra <jce...@shaw.ca> wrote:

Please be more compassionate to the people on this site who ARE disabled and
find it difficult to constantly deal with the intrusions of ODSP. And,
congratulations to you for being "ABLE" to " manage to keep all stuff update
and handed in as requested."

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[abrowne]

Shelley,

Of course, but just try to be patient with people who's abilities may

be different than yours.  ODSP really needs to be a bit more patient

when it comes to individuals that may have trouble managing these

things.  I come across this all the time.  I have no trouble managing

these things either, but many people I know have significant trouble.

Angela

shelly75 <shellyst...@yahoo.ca> wrote:

janice with all due respect I too am disabled I actualy have bipolar,

anxiety and PTSD my child also has bipolar

I dont care if farm work is hard so is life when you put your name on
the dotted line for ODSP you agree to give them your info when they
ask ask not when you get around to it

__________________________________________________

[Michael Bird]

Angela... my disability is such that among other effects I break down under stress... I have had so many  problems in the past so sometimes I give up too easily.... sometimes I could have kicked myself for not seeking the proper help and guidance when dealing with FBA and now ODSP... I could have fought the $2, 700.00 overpayment with my records ... instead I just chucked everything in the garbage... I was not well enough to seek help.  This site and members have helped me so much... it's like I know you're always there for me.... cheers,   Mike

[abrowne]

Thanks, Michael ... I appreciate your comments.

A

Michael Bird <michae...@gmail.com> wrote:

Angela...   This site and members have helped me so much... it's like I know you're always there for me.... cheers,   Mike

[Janice Cerra]

Your comments, are all the more reason for US to stand together and be supportive to each other and not share the same attitudes of the punishers.

 

I got a lump in my throat reading this last paragraph of yours, Bette, because that has been my experience for over twenty years. It’s sad and depressing to realize that ‘hope’ is pretty much futile in my lifetime.

 

Thanks for the confirmation, Bette, and I mean that positively J

 

Janice

 

More Power to you, Dave!!!

 

---

From: odspfi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:odspfi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bette Hawley
Sent: 02 November 2007 10:44
To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [odspfireside: 14698 ] Re: David Thomasson cut-off by ODSP, again 1

 

In any case, it's all bullying tactics and perhaps David Thomasson was trying to stand his ground, trying to fight the system as we did.  Unfortunately Goliath has a great big club and no matter how much we protest we are beaten down.  It's not a compassionate system at all - it's an antiquated sadistic system and needs to be overhauled from the top down.  We are treated like criminals and after ODSP's applied punishments we're thrown back into what feels like a detention centre.  It has no bars, but we cower, because we've just experienced the brutality of their guards.   It's a very nasty piece of legislation.  - Bette.

 

[bjr]

me too...but still I keep bashing my head against a brick wall
refusing to accept that I am disabled and welfare is my last
resort...recently I answered an ad for public speakers with learning
disabilities...went for the interview and was told that my name was
going to be on a document declaration for International Human Rights
put out by the U.N. in the year 2025...so at least my children will
understand, Brenda Sword from ATN told me, ...I doubt I'll be invited
to the gala celebration they are already planning ... heck I'll
probably be dead by then....after my interview they wrote me a letter
saying blah, blah, blah, thank you for your interest and advocacy for
those with learning disabilities but we don't need you at this
time. ... leaching brainpickers that's what they are...they get a
paycheque to check us out and see how freakish we are, or aren't.

[Louise Bark]

Another advocate with a disability being closed out by the non-disabled world... welcome to the club - pretty sad isn't it?

We have a disability, but that does not mean we are useless and unable to contribute to society. It really bugs me when we are closed out because of our disability and perceived differences.  I used to think that people with invisible disabilities had it worse because people would judge them and say, "you look fine," but I'm quickly learning that employers expect perfection - good looks and no physical flaws - before they will hire us.  My desire to work and inability to get a job makes it that much harder to accept my disability and the fact that I have to live on ODSP.  I hate the constant scrutiny and/or mistakes they are making.  I have a disability. I am not a criminal.

Louise

[Janice Cerra]

 

 

.  I used to think that people with invisible disabilities had it worse because people would judge them and say, "you look fine," but I'm quickly learning that employers expect perfection  My desire to work and inability to get a job makes it that much harder to accept my disability and the fact that I have to live on ODSP.  I hate the constant scrutiny and/or mistakes they are making.  I have a disability. I am not a criminal.

 

 

      I have an incomplete spinal cord injury and because it is “invisible” (I am not in a wheelchair or don’t always use my cane) it is frustrating when I do have to use my cane or I am out somewhere and I ‘get sick’ – people who ‘know’ me, will say “what happened to you?” or “what’s wrong?” – WELL . . . It’s 20 years of the same thing!!!

 

      Trying to get a job – people don’t know what to do with me!!  I can’t afford decent clothing and footwear to make a decent first impression with; so I notice that I’ve been isolating myself a whole lot – which is only worse. I get tired of trying to educate people.

 

      Also, people who don’t understand an incomplete SCI don’t understand when I need extra help because I ‘look fine’; or when I can’t walk my dogs all the time. It’s hard ‘being invisible’ – you can’t win no matter what. 

 

      Criminals have it far better in many ways than we do!! That is a FACT.

 

[Louise Bark]

I hear you, boy do I hear you.

I keep up my hope with laughter; I laugh at the people who think they know more than we do and try to judge our abilities as they try to control our world.

I know I have more skills than they do in many cases and I know my skills would be of benefit to some through working, so I poke fun at the mistakes. Note I said poke fun at, not criticize, their mistakes. I say this because many were not given the opportunity to learn either.  An example of my poking fun to fix a real problem is shown in the picture below.

If you can laugh and stay positive by reminding yourself that you are not the problem, you will get work.  That's how I keep going, anyway.

Louise



BTW The hinges are still n backwards even though more attempts have been made to fix them so I can open the door wide enough to wheel through... and we're the unemployed... LB

Janice Cerra wrote:

 
  Trying to get a job – people don’t know what to do with me!!  .... I get tired of trying to educate people.

[Frank]

Those who desire jobs and can do it should contact the March of Dimes.

They have an employment office to help the disabled find work.

[abrowne]

Frank,

I have been to EVERY employment office in this area, but none of

them are able to assist me, including OMOD.  Employment offices

are not geared to assisting people in getting work that is above

entry-level, low paying jobs ... something I cannot afford to do at

my age and with my expenses.

A

Frank <fhad...@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Those who desire jobs and can do it should contact the March of Dimes.

They have an employment office to help the disabled find work.

__________________________________________________

[Ugly Person]

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Frank

To: odspfi...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 12:00 AM

Subject: [Bulk] [odspfireside: 14746 ] Re: refusing to accept disability and having to collect welfare

Those who desire jobs and can do it should contact the March of Dimes.

They have an employment office to help the disabled find work.

You don't say.  There's an independent group here in Barrie that I was hoping would help me.

Last I heard they were going to set me up with a work placement but that was back around... July.  Any time I check back there are no further details except that it would have been at Winners in the Bayfield Mall (Barrie).  I do attend a social group periodically on Thursdays run by the March of Dimes. I guess I could try asking Lori, the co-ordinator if she has any insight to that.

Thanks.

 

Not having much paid work in the past few years has been a bummer. It's worse at the occasional job interview where they ask me about the "missing" years not accounted for on my resumé.

Because I am fully mobile and my disability is "hidden", I don't readily bring it up. I don't know if I should or not, especially during an interview.

 

[Jan]

Hello all;

Definitely can relate to all the those that posted replies on this
site. My SBT hearing was Oct 24 with Brian Brown as
well.............that same day I faxed a request to ODSP for my files
have still received nothing was the same with a letter requesting info
from my file December 3rd 2006 they never sent that info either. Are
they not supposed to answer our requests in a prompt timely fashion as
we are to do theirs??

Micheal; I feel for you I too shut down when I received a form letter
telling me I was overpaid by over $30,000 and missed the appeal
deadline but did meet the deadline on the secondary overpayment
$11,900 (want more money back than I got) but this one wasn't heard by
the SBT as requested because they saw the 2 over payments as one. I
did provide financial info that should bring down the amount but still
haven't heard anything about that either. Then was told I should go
back on ODSP but not to forget that though I may qualify (rapid
reinstatement) I would have to undergo a medical review!! Never once
since I was grandfathered in June 98 was one ever mentioned before.
They are saying it is because I withdrew 2 years ago, work related
mind you (tired of being constantly overpaid cause they were behind in
their paperwork) and they have closed my file..................so what
does no time limit for rapid reinstatement really mean??

Been there done that with the invisible disabilities............park
in a Handicap spot (with a valid permit) and get yelled at by a senior
and accused of having a bogus permit. To be fair, I only use that
parking when having difficulty breathing ( extreme cold or humidity)
or if my Arthritis makes it unbearable to walk comfortably. I even
let my Handicap Permit expire as I don't use any assisted devices for
walking just my puffers when needed so didn't think I qualified for it
anymore.

I work now and I love my job it is seasonal work so we will be laying
off for the winter, did one winter on EI after I went off ODSP scared
about another winter on EI since I can't even have my Income tax as
ODSP have garnished it. Income tax refund was how I survived the first
year.

Oh well, anyway Dave keep up the good work best of luck to everyone.
Jan

On Nov 1, 9:26 am, David Thomasson <greendav...@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> Hi Fireside Folks My story was in the the Cornwall Standard Freeholder October 25 page 1http://tinyurl.com/34yekv

> I typed the page 4 story onto the bottom of this media update. Trevor Pritchard was in the room with us covering the story when the public were ordered to leave.
>
> Please spread the word. Please help expose and stop ODSP discrimination.
>
> The bottom line is I say the ODSP Act violates the Charter, Prove Me Wrong. I am still offering a $1,000 prize to the first person anywhere who can prove the ODSP Act complies with the Charter. I am still offering to stop opposing ODSP as soon as I am proven wrong. No one can do it, not even the attorney general's office. ODSP violates the Charter and is the single largest source of discrimination against Ontario's disabled people.
>
> Sincerely David Thomasson

> greendav...@yahoo.ca

>
> NEW INFO STARTS
>
> Cornwall ODSP cut-off David Thomasson's ODSP money and medication benefits retroactive to October 1, 2007.
>
> Sometime back in July or August ODSP sent me a letter asking for my 2006 tax return. I was swamped with farm work and charter challenge work and sending ODSP my tax return just didn't get done.
>
> On October 30 I got a letter dated October 15 from Cornwall ODSP telling me that my money and medication benefits were cut-off retroactive to Oct 1, until I gave them my 2006 tax return.
>
> The appeal deadline was October 29. I missed it by half a day. I got their letter on the 30th, I photo-copied my tax return and delivered it on the 30th. But because I missed the October 29 deadline ODSP can choose to permanently cut me off from ODSP, or they can accept my info and process it.
>
> If ODSP accept the info they will then have to punish me for paying wages to a farmworker in 2006 and disallow other legitimate farm business expenses.
>
> It is just more ODSP harassment. I checked my mail on October 23, the day before my hearing. There was no letter from ODSP, this is important because ODSP deems a letter received after 3 days and starts an automatic 10 day appeal deadline. So my letter is dated Oct 15, add 3 days for delivery, and my 10 day deadline starts Oct 19. However, my letter arrived late and I missed the appeal deadline. Now Cornwall ODSP have the discretion to reject my appeal because I was late or process my appeal.
>
> ODSP must give me an answer by November 9 but if they mail it I might not get it until november 12th. Until then my ODSP money and medication benefits are cut-off. If ODSP refuses to accept my appeal I won't get any money or medication benefits until late november or early december. It takes at least 20 days after the local decision to get temporary ODSP benefits.
>
> I was very lucky to get the letter on October 30th. I was almost out of my medication and I rushed to pick up my new prescription before my current drug card expired on the 31st.
>
> I have been through all this before, it is just more ODSP harassment. I am lucky it happened now when I am still selling vegetables. It could have been worse. ODSP could have cut me off in January, they've done that before.
>
> My cell phone and cell email are working well (at least for now). The letter is "signed" by Susan Bihun the Eastern Region Director, but she is not the person who issued the letter. Cornwall ODSP normally punish me with letters "signed" by her so I won't know who really made the decision. It's harder to appeal if you don't know who convicted you or why.
>
> My lawyer has been talking to the government lawyers for months, no one told him about the deadline. The Cornwall ODSP person was there at the hearing but did not tell us about the deadline. Cornwall ODSP did not make a direct request to us for my 2006 taxes. They sent a letter without requiring confirmation of delivery, and then silently let the deadline expire. I think that's harassment. ODSP could have asked us for my 2006 tax return at the meeting, they could have told us about the deadline, they didn't.
>
> ODSP are clearly trying to harass and intimidate me into abandoning my charter challenge, it won't work. I am determined to stop ODSP discrimination.
>
> I continue to offer $1,000 to the first person anywhere who can prove the ODSP Act complies with the Charter. No one can do it. Instead the government deliberately enforces unconstitutional legislation and harasses activists who try to stop them.
>
> I challenge Premier McGuinty and Minister Meilleur to immediately stop all ODSP discrimination or resign.
>
> My garden is doing great, the vegetables came through the frost just fine. I'll be picking for at least another 2 weeks, probably much longer. I have a huge crop of salad greens.
>
> Sincerely
> Dave Thomasson

> greendav...@yahoo.ca

>
> Cornwall Standard-Freeholder Thursday October 25, 2007 p4
>
> ' Crazy Dave' balances politics and work by Trevor Pritchard
>
> Dave Thomasson is rattling off the reasons why he feels Ontario's disability payment program in unconstitutional when he gets a call on his cell phone.
>
> On the other end is one of Thomasson's potential customers - the owner of a swanky restaurant in Ottawa's Rideau Market, just across from the U.S. embassy.
>
> Thomasson, an organic vegetable farmer from the Bonville area, apologizes: he can't talk now, he says, as he's in the middle of a political protest.
>
> A small group of activists showed up with Thomasson at the Civic Complex Wednesday morning to try and gain access to his hearing with the Ontario Disability Support Program's (ODSP) Social Benefits Tribunal.
>
> The six activists, who carried large signs criticizing the support program, were told by tribunal adjudicator Brian Brown that Thomasson's hearing was "private and confidential" and that they would have to leave.
>
> It's the second time Thomasson's been told that in the past few months and the decision has left him mystified both times.
>
> "I have he constitutional right to a public hearing," he says. "And ODSP denies me that right."
>
> Thomasson, who suffers from bipolar disorder, has never been shy about his mental illness. It's right up there in the name of his business, Crazy Dave's Organic Greens - which also happens to be the source of his complaints against the province.
>
> He has argued that the way the province administers ODSP contravenes Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While Revenue Canada allows self-employed to claim their workers' wages as business expenses, ODSP garnishes the benefit cheques of disabled Canadians who do the same thing, he says.
>
> Thomasson went before the Ontario Superior Court in September to argue that point, but before making any headway, the hearing was adjourned to give government lawyers more time to prepare.
>
> Over that time, Thomasson's also become a crusader for a related cause: improving public access to ODSP hearings. On Wednesday, his lawyer Terrance Green told the tribunal the public had every right to witness the hearing, especially since they would be arguing a constitutional matter.
>
> His arguments, however, carried little weight with the tribunal adjudicator or the ODSP representative, who aruges that she wasn't aware members of the public would be trying to attend the meeting.
>
> Green called that argument "preposterous."
>
> "The public does have a right to come in and hear (the tribunal's) arguments and come in and make up their own minds," said Green after the three-hour tribunal concluded late Wednesday afternoon.
>
> Denise Vernier, the chair of the SD&G Action Coalition, was one of the protestors who was denied access to the meeting.
>
> "I feel that they're hiding something when the public...can't be there," said Vernier, who also suffers from bipolar disorder.
>
> Thomasson says after his last ODSP hearing, he paid about $700 to get a full trascript of what was said - something he's willing to do this time as well.
>
> An undocumented, privately-held meeting makes it too easy for the province to abuse its power over disabled people, he argues.
>
> "A (closed-door meeting) makes it very easy to throw your weight around," says Thomasson.
>

> ---------------------------------

[Janice Cerra]

Even OMOD doesn’t have any special techniques to finding jobs for people – they use the YELLOW PAGES and go through every listing to find ANYTHING. That came straight from the Manager to me – face to face -  last week. I have a College Diploma and a University Degree along with a LOT of other formal education and all he could offer me was telemarketing. I left and will never turn back.

 

I am still waiting for you to stop sending me these emails.

 

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