If the Ontario budget passes at Queen's Park later on Wednesday, there will be reductions to some funds available to people on social assistance.

Those changes could have a big impact on reserves, Manitoulin Island resident Audrey Mcgraw said. She was part of a rally that marched to the front of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines office in downtown Sudbury on Tuesday. The protesters wanted to bring attention to planned changes to social assistance.

“Off reserve, the municipalities have other areas like the soup kitchen and different things like that that they can fall back on,” Mcgraw said.

She is worried about the roughly 50 families in Aundeck Omni Kaning on Manitoulin Island, who receive Ontario Works.

“We don't have a whole lot of employment in that area. It's just seasonal,” Mcgraw said. “There is more employment in municipalities and towns like this here.”

The pending changes involve reductions to what are known as discretionary funds, which help with unexpected expenses.

Also affected will be a program that helps people do things like move for employment or leave a violent situation or get back on their feet after being released from prison.

The province said the changes are necessary to balance the books — and to keep social assistance sustainable.