July 9, 2007
Cornwall Standard Freeholder

January 2007
Access Now - Ottawa
Reprinted with Permission

Our “Crazy Dave”
Challenges the Premier and puts $1,000 on the line.

Many of our readers remember and have been enquiring as to how our “Crazy Dave” was doing. Well Dave is fine and more determined than ever to get the Ontario Government to do the right thing and “Stop the Discrimination” that the current ODSP program does every time there is a decision to be made.

Dave Thomasson says “I believe that ODSP violates human rights and contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

Dave is betting the Ontario Premier $1,000 that Dalton McGuinty can’t prove the Ontario disability Support Program (ODSP) is not discriminatory.If he is proven wrong, Thomasson said he will donate $1,000 to an organization.

Dave already has given the Premier and Minister months to respond already and with a deadline to respond by Jan 15th, 2007, they have not done so. Therefore Dave is making this an all out reward to anyone who can prove him wrong. Prove that ODSP does respect the human rights code and does not discriminate against disabled people. You too can claim this reward of One thousand Dollars

Dave Thomasson, or as he likes to be called “Crazy Dave” has been in a dispute with the province over ODSP regulations which pertain to self-employed farmers.

One regulation does not allow him to claim deductions on his income for farm employee wages.

"McGuinty's government via the ODSP Act and the Ministry of Community and Social Services, is the single largest source of discrimination against Ontario's disabled people," Thomasson said, adding his challenge slogan: "Prove me wrong. Dalton McGuinty can't."

“ I want to provide for myself, without relying on ODSP benefits.But my farm doesn't earn enough without hired help.” Dave says with lost hope in his voice.

In mid January, Thomasson was notified by ODSP that he was overpaid $1,889 during 2005 and the last two months of 2006. As a result, he expects his monthly income of $843 will be clawed back by about $40 to repay the overpayment.

"ODSP disallowed my business expenses, which is the standard approved by Revenue Canada," he said, which brings up another issue he has disputed in the past.

Dave’s MPP, Jim Brownell has sided with Thomasson and has asked McGuinty and the community and social services ministry to address Thomasson's concerns. Brownell said the minister is preparing a response to his and Thomasson's concerns soon.

Here is what you, our readers, can do.

Ideally we want many voices to embrace the argument and speak it as their own by writing to their MPP.

Ideally we will so strongly convince people we are right

Dave is integrating a few websites to highlight his project and we will let you know where in the next edition of Access Now.

This column ends with one final request for our readers who are on ODSP. We have heard that someone didn't get their internal review on time. If this happens to more people it could be a clue that ODSP prosecutions have been stalled. Talk to anyone waiting for a internal review and find out if it arrives. If it does please let us know at Access Now and will pass this Information onto “Crazy Dave”.

Let all of us stand up and back Dave on his initiative that he has been fighting for years on all our behalf.

January 18, 2007

Cornwall Standard Freeholder Newspaper - Page 4
Reprinted with permission

Poor farmer weighs in on ODSP debate

By Greg Peerenboom

A poor farmer is betting the Ontario premier $1,000 that Dalton McGuinty can't prove the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is not discriminatory.

Dave Thomasson believes the ODSP violates human rights and contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Thomasson has been locked in a dispute with the province over ODSP regulations which pertain to self-employed farmers.

One regulation does not allow him to claim deductions on his income for farm employee wages.

"McGuinty's government via the ODSP Act and the Ministry of Community and Social Services, is the single largest source of discrimination against Ontario's disabled people," Thomasson said, adding his challenge slogan: "Prove me wrong. Dalton McGuinty can't."

Thomasson is asking McGuinty or Minister Meilleur to endorse the ODSP Act, otherwise the ministry should not be enforcing its policies.

If he is proven wrong, Thomasson said he will donate $1,000 to a charitable organization.

Thomasson wants to provide for himself, without relying on ODSP benefits.

B ut his farm doesn't earn enough without hired help.

Last week, Thomasson was notified by ODSP that he was overpaid $1,889 during 2005 and the last two months of 2006.

As a result, he expects his monthly income o $843 will be clawed back by about $40 to repay the overpayment.

"ODSP disallowed my business expenses, which is the standard approved by Revenue Canada," he said, which brings up another issue he has disputed in the past.

ODSP is not allowed to comment on individual cases, citing privacy regulations.

Local MPP Jim Brownell has sided with Thomasson and has asked McGuinty and the community and social services ministry to address Thomasson's concerns.

Brownell said the minister is preparing a response to his and Thomasson's concerns today.