April 17, 2024
Canada Disability Benefit funding fails to “renew Canada’s promise” for people with disabilities
[OTTAWA, April 17, 2024] — March of Dimes Canada, one of Canada’s largest organizations for people with disabilities is discouraged that funding for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) announced in yesterday’s federal Budget will fail to meet disability poverty reduction goals in the government’s own legislation despite sustained input and guidance from the disability community since the plan for the benefit was first introduced in 2020.
“This Budget doesn’t begin to fulfill the government’s promise to lift people with disabilities out of poverty, let alone the ‘promise of Canada’ – a fair shot at a prosperous future,” said Len Baker, March of Dimes Canada’s President and CEO. “The spirit of ‘nothing about us without us’ was not visible in today’s Budget. There was nothing for many and too little for most.”
With a proposed maximum benefit of only $200 per month – just $6.66 per day – the funding envelope won’t raise the income of any person receiving disability income support in any jurisdiction to or above the poverty line. With the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) as the single gateway for access, it’s expected only 600,000 people with disabilities in Canada will receive the benefit – fewer than half those currently receiving disability income support.
“Using the DTC as the only access point for the Canada Disability Benefit is concerning when there are other valid ways to verify disability,” Baker added. “Our
Benefit Without Barriers report made it crystal clear: asking people with disabilities to jump through additional hoops to access financial security benefits they’re entitled to is harmful and traumatizing.”
Over the course of the last four years, the federal government has heard time and time again directly from people with disabilities through extensive consultations that, without financial security, life is a day-to-day struggle to survive.
Baker concluded, “The federal government must now clarify how they intend to renew the promise of Canada for people with disabilities, by building upon this announcement with additional substantial investments and fulfilling the commitment to co-creation.”
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Media Inquiries:
Amanda MacKenzie
National Director, External Affairs
437-881-0108
About March of Dimes Canada
March of Dimes Canada is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a society inclusive to people of all abilities. Their mission is to provide a wide range of services to individuals with physical disabilities throughout the country. They are committed to enabling people to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
Quotes from People with Disabilities, Family, Caregivers, and Allies
- “We are the experts…. We need to be at the table when [these applications] are being designed, to tell where the issues are. We should not be afterthoughts.” – Person with disabilities
- “For the Disability Tax Credit, they ask very personal questions… And it's so impersonal when the government worker gets this, it's just a number on a page to them. They're making a decision with no human connectedness behind it. And I think that's a real big barrier.” – Person with disabilities
- “People feel that dealing with government offices… that their dignity is being brought into question because a lot of people have experienced so much disappointment and frustration… Fear of applying in the first place causes a lot of anxiety.” – Family member and advocate for people with disabilities
- “These people who evaluate our applications don't live like we do.” – Person with disabilities
- “Having talked to so many people for so many years… people don't realize what they could qualify for if they had the proper doctor to support them [or] if they had the proper advocate to help them in the process.” – Family member and advocate for people with disabilities
- “There are some people like my son who are already on PWD [income support benefits] here in BC… the outstanding worry amongst those of us parents is we don't want our adult [child], or any child, to lose the benefits that they already have, so that would include here in BC, a bus pass and dental coverage, eyeglasses for a small amount, and prescription drugs.” – Family member
