Nipigon Red-Rock Gazette, 19 Feb 2008, p. 4
I want to talk about the statistical changes here over time, because people have been pointing out the subhumanizing and carceral nature of Ontario Works (welfare system) since it came into being under Mike Harris.
The LICO (Low-Income Cut Off) in 2025, for 1 person with no dependants in Thunder Bay is $26,290/year before tax (Source) The LICO in 2008, when this was published, was $19,094/year before tax. (Source)
The LICO is lower for rural communities, however, and the LICO in 1992 for someone in a rural area (not technically in a town, maybe a random farm off the highway) was $8,848 per year.
Ontario Works, in 2025, maxes out at $8,796/year.
This does not take into account inflation at all.