April 27, 2021
Victoria, BC – In response to the release of British Columbia’s
Budget 2021: Stronger BC for Everyone, March of Dimes Canada welcomes the BC government’s investments in vital social programs and supports that will benefit people with disabilities. Budget 2021 takes steps to address the immediate disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized communities, while also making investments that will advance equity and inclusion in the longer term.
Increasing financial security
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the gaps in social safety nets across Canada, with low-income communities most affected by both the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. With 17 per cent of BC adults with a disability living on a low income (rising to 36 per cent among those with both physical and intellectual disabilities) , measures to address financial insecurity for the disability community are much needed. March of Dimes Canada thanks Finance Minister Hon. Selina Robinson and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Hon. Nicholas Simons for investing $1.6 billion over three years to increase income supports, including:
- A $175 a month increase to income and disability assistance rates, building on two previous increases for a total monthly increase of $325 since 2017, benefitting over 240,000 people; and
- A $50 increase to the Senior’s Supplement, doubling the current amount and benefitting up to 80,000 low-income seniors.
“This increase in disability assistance rates marks significant progress in advancing financial security, empowerment, and independence for British Columbians with disabilities,” said Leonard Baker, President & CEO, March of Dimes Canada. “We encourage Premier Horgan, Minister Robinson and Minister Simons to continue strengthening supports and programs that work toward ending the cycle of poverty for people with disabilities.”
March of Dimes Canada also celebrates the investment of $80 million over three years to support BC’s housing strategy, working toward the goal of creating 114,000 affordable homes in the next decade to address the housing crisis for low-income British Columbians. We encourage Minister Responsible for Housing Hon. David Eby to prioritize accessibility in the renovation and construction of affordable homes.
Accessing care at home and support in the community
As a provider of community support services for people with disabilities in the Vancouver Island and Interior Health Authorities and across Canada, March of Dimes Canada recognized the increasing desire for people to remain independent in the community while receiving the high-quality care they need. We thank Minister Robinson and Minister of Health Hon. Adrian Dix for investments that strengthen home and community care, including:
- $68 million over three years to increase the number of care aides and other community care providers to deliver quality home care and help seniors with daily living; and
- $12 million over three years for the Home Health Monitoring Initiative, supporting patients with moderate to highly complex chronic and episodic health conditions to self-manage their health from home.
We also welcome additional investments in community supports, including $367 million over three years for Community Living BC to provide services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families, and additional investments in programs that support children with disabilities and Deaf and hard of hearing children.
Employment programs
March of Dimes Canada is the country’s leader in matching people who have disabilities with employers seeking qualified job candidates. We welcome the government’s investments in increasing access to meaningful employment, including $32 million over three years for skills training initiatives and $68 million over three years for youth employment programs.
Given the unique barriers to employment that people with disabilities face, March of Dimes Canada encourages Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Hon. Anne Kang to consider the needs of people with disabilities in the rollout of these new programs.
Accessibility legislation
March of Dimes Canada recognizes that accessibility legislation has been long-awaited by the disability community in British Columbia. We applaud the commitment in the Budget Strategic Plan to introduce accessibility legislation this spring, with the goal of removing barriers for people with disabilities. As a key stakeholder with experience in accessibility legislation development, March of Dimes Canada looks forward to participating every step of the way as this essential step toward inclusion becomes law in BC.
Supports for vulnerable communities
Budget 2021 introduces several additional investments that will positively impact low-income and marginalized communities, including:
- A historic investment in mental health, totaling $500 million over three years, expanding access to mental health and addictions supports to enhance mental well-being;
- An additional $233 million over three years to advance the ChildcareBC strategy, increasing the number of new spaces and making childcare more affordable;
- Establishing stable base funding of $40 million over three years to continue to expand access to reliable broadband in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities; and
- $47 million over three years in capital funding for BC Parks, in part to improve accessibility, working to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of BC’s beautiful parks and recreational facilities without barriers.
Through our BC leadership team and multidisciplinary workforce, March of Dimes Canada will continue to advocate for British Columbians living with disabilities, their families, friends and caregivers, and looks forward to working with the BC government as a key stakeholder to increase independence and accessibility, equity and inclusion for all.
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