Introduction
March of Dimes Canada (MODC) is pleased to present its Pre-Budget Submission to the Minister of Finance for Newfoundland and Labrador’s fiscal year 2026-27. As a transfer payment agency and key stakeholder delivering a wide variety of services for people with disabilities and their families, caregivers, and communities, MODC welcomes the opportunity to deliver insights and recommendations into how we can build a more equitable and inclusive Newfoundland and Labrador. In developing this submission, MODC has listened to the priorities of our community of service users and stakeholders.
Summary of Recommendations
Recommendation 1: That the government of Newfoundland and Labrador prioritize funding care at home and in the community to enable Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with disabilities and seniors to have independence, dignity, and choice. This can be achieved by:
Establishing a supportive housing pilot specifically designed to address the alternative level of care (ALC) crisis in the upcoming budget.
Modernizing and reducing barriers to application to the Home Modification Program (HMP).
Investing an additional $88,000 per year ($320,000 total) to enable MODC to expand the After Stroke program, and a government commitment to a three-year, multi-year agreement to maximize public investment.
Investing $112,000 in a Brain Injury Navigator Program.
Recommendation 2: That the Honourable Lin Paddock determine the appropriate funding and resources needed to support people with disabilities in accessing digital skills programs, employment and vocational rehabilitation, and clinical assessments to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities employment in the upcoming budget.
Recommendation 1: Investing in Care at Home and in the Community
Making critical investments in supportive housing services
MODC is honoured to provide supportive housing/assisted living services to people with disabilities and brain injury across the country. We offer these services to seniors, people with physical disabilities, and those with brain injury by assisting with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, supports with medications along with ventilation care and bowel and bladder routines), and more. Many of these clients are referred to us because they are in hospital and designated as alternate level of care (ALC), meaning they do not require acute care or long-term care services, but do need support in their own homes. These services facilitate a higher level of independence, while reducing the demand for more complex and expensive care services.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately 30 per cent of acute care beds are occupied by people who require an alternate level of care. By funding supportive housing services, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has an opportunity to make these acute care beds available for those who truly need them, and enable people are waiting for supportive housing services return home from hospital and remain in their homes and communities longer.
The need for dedicated funding for supportive housing/assisted living services will continue to grow as the population ages and as the federal government implements the new Build Canada Homes strategy.1 Build Canada Homes have committed to “grow the supply of affordable and community housing led by mission-driven organizations whose core purpose is to advance social, community, or equity-focussed goals. These include, but are not limited to, non-profits, co-operatives, Indigenous housing providers, and organizations supporting women, people with disabilities, newcomers, and those in need of supportive and transitional housing”. Without operational funding from provinces and territories, these initiatives will not be successful, and we run the risk of accessible, affordable units meant for those who require supportive housing supports sitting vacant.
To meet the growing needs of Newfoundland and Labrador seniors and people with disabilities to be supported to remain in their own homes and communities, reducing costs and demands on long term care and the health care system, we urge that that the Honourable Lela Evans, and the Honourable Craig Purdy collaborate on determining the appropriate funding to establish a supportive housing pilot specifically designed to address the ALC crisis in the upcoming budget.
Enabling people with disabilities and seniors to remain in community and age at home
According to Statistics Canada’s most recent Canadian Survey on Disability (2022), 27 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and older identified with having at least one disability – an increase of 4.7 percent from 2017. This trend is likely to continue as Canada’s population ages.1 In Newfoundland and Labrador, 31 per cent of residents aged 15+ have a disability—the highest rate in Canada. In 2017 at least 13 percent of those with physical disabilities were unable to obtain the accessibility features and aids that they needed in their homes.2 As you are aware, the number of Newfoundland and Labrador seniors is growing, with 24.6 per cent of the province aged 65 and older, the highest percentages in Canada, and 4.9 per cent aged 80 and older.2
Currently, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador offers two programs to support people with disabilities and seniors to make their homes more accessible, the Special Assistance Program (through the Department of Health and Community Services), and the Home Modification Program (HMP) (Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation). We welcome the government’s recent announcement that the income threshold for HMP has been raised to $51,500.
In consultation with community, we have learned that some applicants face barriers to accessing the HMP in the form of long wait times and complex application processes. MODC would be pleased to provide our expertise to modernize the program and remove these barriers.
MODC has been delivering home and vehicle modification programs for over twenty years on behalf of provincial governments. Our Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP) embodies the home first approach and is delivered on behalf of the province of Ontario. HVMP grants enable lower income people with disabilities of all ages to complete activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, toileting and mobility, allowing them to remain in their homes and age-in-place longer. In 2023, we partnered with the Government of Manitoba to deliver Manitoba Safe and Healthy Home for Seniors (MSHHS), which provides financial assistance to lower income seniors 65 and older for eligible home modifications that allow them to age in place and live with dignity.
We have implemented process improvements to ensure both programs are accessible as possible, including:
Making the health care provider referral process easier.
Shortened the application process time so most successful applicants receive their funding and the adaptations they need within 30 days of applying.
Conducting targeted outreach to rural and First Nations communities to ensure these communities are aware of and can access the program.
HVMP and MSHHS have proven outcomes that illustrate how even simple modifications can make a life-changing impact in the lives of people with disabilities, and reduce costs to the health care system, including:
Reducing visits to the Emergency Department by 85 per cent.
Reducing reliance on Emergency Medical Services by 80 per cent.
Enabling 80 per cent of grant recipients to remain in their homes and facilitating early hospital discharge for many others.
To meet the growing needs of Newfoundland and Labrador seniors and people with disabilities to be supported to remain in their own homes and communities, reducing costs and demands on long term care and the health care system, MODC recommends that the government issue an RFP to modernize and reduce barriers to application to the HMP in 2026-27, to which MODC would be thrilled to respond.
Supporting stroke survivors
As a community support organization, MODC is a major provider of brain injury services across the country, providing assisted living, case management, day programs, and outreach services to people living with the effects of a brain injury.
People impacted by stroke represent a growing proportion of brain injury survivors. More than 1500 people in Newfoundland and Labrador experience a stroke each year, with thousands more living with the effects of stroke.3 With advancements in medical care, the survival rate for stroke has increased dramatically, and more people are surviving stroke than ever before. As more people survive a stroke, it has become one of the leading causes of adult disability in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability, such as mobility and cognitive disabilities, aphasia and communication disabilities, and/or debilitating fatigue. Stroke impacts every aspect of a person’s life, from physical health to mental health, family life, financial, and social and community participation.4
It is crucial that community-based support is prioritized for stroke survivors transitioning back to their homes and communities while navigating the path forward after a stroke. When stroke survivors have access to this support, they experience improved quality of life and less need for further medical support/hospital re-admission.
MODC has been pleased to partner with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to deliver our After Stroke program over the past few years. In 2025, the After Stroke program proudly served hundreds of stroke survivors, family members and caregivers across Newfoundland and Labrador. Through personalized support, peer connections, and access to vital resources, the program has become a lifeline for individuals navigating the challenges of recovery. Survivors have benefited from one‑on‑one guidance, group sessions, and community‑based activities that foster resilience and independence, while caregivers have found encouragement and practical tools to sustain their loved ones and themselves.
The program’s reach extends beyond direct services — it has helped build a stronger, more inclusive community where stroke survivors and their families feel seen, supported, and empowered. By offering both virtual and in‑person opportunities, After Stroke ensures that people in urban centers and rural communities alike can access care. This commitment reflects the program’s core mission: to restore hope, improve quality of life, and ensure that no one faces the journey of recovery alone.
Recent outcomes from After Stroke has revealed that:
Program participants had their sense of general well-being increase by 80 per cent after joining the program.
Prior to taking part in After Stroke, over half of participants reported that they rarely felt comfortable with their personal relationships. Following their participation in After Stroke, this changed drastically, with all stroke survivors reporting they felt comfortable in their personal relationships all or some of the time. This goes far beyond individual relationships. It means that these After Stroke participants are re-integrating into their lives and communities.
Prior to taking part in After Stroke, over half of participants stated that they did not have the knowledge to manage their condition and prevent another stroke. Afterwards, all participants reported they had all gained the knowledge to manage their condition and prevent another stroke all or some of the time.
Currently, we receive $232,000 in funding from the provincial government on a year-to-year basis to support this program. A multi-year commitment would provide the stability needed to maximize public investment and achieve long-term health and social benefits. Our goal is to bring the invaluable support of the After Stroke program to stroke survivors and their families, in every region across the province, and to do so, we require an increased investment from the government.
An essential community program for stroke survivors and their families and caregivers, the After Stroke program can, with continued public funding, be a sustainable and long-term support service for the growing population of stroke survivors in Newfoundland and Labrador, reducing the pressure on existing funded brain injury services by providing investment focused on this specific population.
With the goal of closing gaps for stroke survivors and their families across the province, MODC recommends that the government of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Invest an additional $88,000 per year ($320,000 total) to enable MODC to expand the After Stroke program.
Commit to a three-year, multi-year agreement to maximize public investment.
Addressing the critical gap in brain injury support through a dedicated navigator program
Each year, thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians experience life-altering brain injuries due to trauma, stroke or other non-traumatic causes. Brain injuries are often invisible but profoundly impact every aspect of life-cognition, emotions, employment and relationships.
In addition to supportive housing services and after stroke specific support, there is a critical need in the province for comprehensive case management for people with brain injuries. Brain injuries often result in long-term challenges that require coordinated, ongoing support. Furthermore, establishing integrated care pathways will reduce hospital readmissions, improve recovery and independence, lower caregiver burden, and optimize use of health and social resources.
To address these critical needs, MODC proposes the establishment of a Brain Injury Navigator program. Such a program would:
Connect survivors and their families with a dedicated Brain Injury System Navigator (SN)—a trusted guide through the complex recovery journey. This connection would occur within 48 hours of referral.
Provide community integration by inking individuals to relevant programs and services based on their unique goals.
Help clients and caregivers navigate applications, waitlists and service gaps.
Provide seamless coordination through better communication between service providers.
Create pathways to independence and reduce reliance on social and healthcare systems.
MODC recommends that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador invest $112,000 in a Brain Injury Navigator Program. MODC would be pleased to respond to an RFP to administer and deliver such a program.
Recommendation 2: Supporting People with Disabilities to Access Employment
Currently, more than 1.5 million people with disabilities in Canada are living below the poverty line. About one-third of people with disabilities looking for work are unable to find it, and in Newfoundland and Labrador the unemployment rate for people with disabilities sits at 8.1 per cent, higher than the national average.v These unacceptable conditions are a direct result of insufficient income support, and accessible employment opportunities in the province and across the country.
We thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for committing to not clawing back provincial disability benefits when the federal Canada Disability Benefit was rolled out last year. This commitment will better ensure financial security for low-income Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with disabilities.
In addition to ensuring sufficient income, the government must support employment inclusion for people with disabilities. The financial security and empowerment that such programs provide for people with disabilities is invaluable.
March of Dimes Canada offers a suite of employment programs that support the diverse needs of people with disabilities. By partnering with and funding these programs, provincial governments can achieve both fiscal benefits and positive social impacts, fostering a more inclusive and resilient society.
1. Clinical Assessments
Clinical assessments provided by MODC involve comprehensive evaluations conducted by a qualified national network of professionals. Our network continues to grow in order to ensure availability in all regions where services are required. These assessments help determine an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities, as well as the barriers they may face. The results inform personalized rehabilitation plans and guide recommendations for accommodations, assistive devices, and support services. Such assessments are crucial for ensuring effective interventions and optimizing outcomes for people with disabilities. Services can be provided at the school level in order to alleviate wait lists and reduce costs for in-house professionals, in rehabilitation environments to determine capacity to live independently, work, or within benefit programs to determine disability related needs and/or qualification thresholds.
2. Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation
MODC offers employment and vocational rehabilitation services to help individuals living with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain meaningful employment. Services may include career counselling, job readiness training, workplace accommodation support, on-the-job coaching, and job placement assistance. These supports foster independence and economic participation, while also helping employers build inclusive workplaces.
3. Skills Training
MODC delivers skills training programs through the SkillingUp platform tailored to the needs of people with disabilities. Training encompasses both hard and soft skills, such as computer literacy, assistive technology support, communication, time management, and technical competencies relevant to various industries. These programs empower participants to build confidence, improve employability, and succeed in a competitive labour market.
The success of the program resulted in attracting funding through corporate and government partnerships to provide more than 2,000 people with disabilities with in-demand digital skills. There is certainly room to grow and expand programs that offer digital skills for people with disabilities and increase their opportunities to obtain future-proof employment – like SkillingUp.
In addition to better supporting people with disabilities who are able to work to find the employment they want and need, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador can realize significant cost savings by supporting and funding March of Dimes Canada’s programs. By investing in clinical assessments, employment and vocational rehabilitation, and skills training, governments can reduce long-term dependency on social assistance, lower healthcare costs through preventative and rehabilitative care, and increase tax revenues through higher employment rates. Moreover, these initiatives promote social inclusion and improve overall community well-being, reducing the demand on other public services.
We recommend that the Honourable Lin Paddock determine the appropriate funding and resources needed to support people with disabilities in accessing digital skills programs, employment and vocational rehabilitation, and clinical assessments to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities employment in the upcoming budget.
About March of Dimes Canada
March of Dimes Canada (MODC) is a leading national charity committed to championing equity, empowering ability, and creating real change that will help people with disabilities across the country unlock the richness of their lives.
Together with our partners, we serve, connect, and empower people with disabilities to participate fully in life and in their communities on their own terms. Our work is grounded in the voices of the people we serve, built on a foundation of service, and backed by more than 75 years of success.
We’ve proven time and again our dedication to serving the needs of people with disabilities. Born in one of the 20th century’s greatest public health crises, we know that seemingly impossible goals can be achieved, and barriers can be broken. In the 1950s, MODC helped fund a vaccine for polio. Now, we are working on creating communities in which people with disabilities can live and thrive nationwide.
We’re proud to support people with disabilities across Canada, from the early years to seniors. Our services extend beyond the individual to families who feel the impact of disability in different ways. Their collective experiences play a critical role in shaping our work as a service provider, resource, and advocate, which is focused in four areas:
The best start for children, youth, and families.
Independence at home and in the community.
Active, healthy, connected lives.
Financial security.
These are the things people with disabilities told us they need, want, and expect out of life.
Our staff and volunteers are allies, supporters, and champions committed to making a difference for people with disabilities. With the guidance of our community, and working together with our donors and partners, we provide the tools and support our service users need to live independently, improve their health and wellness, and thrive in all they aspire to do.
1 Government of Canada. “About Build Canada Homes".
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/bch-mc/about-apropos-eng.html. Accessed December 8, 2025.
2 Office of the Seniors' Advocate. Seniors Report 2025.
https://www.seniorsadvocatenl.ca/pdfs/SeniorsReport2025.pdf Accessed February 9, 2026.
3 Government of Canada,
Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, January 27, 2023,
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/ccdss/data-tool/Comp?G=00&V=11&M=5
4 ibid
5 www150.statcan.gc.ca
