April 21, 2021 – Toronto – In response to the federal government’s Budget 2021, A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience¹ , March of Dimes Canada applauds the Trudeau government’s investments to support people with disabilities and marginalized communities across Canada. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have inequitable impacts on the most vulnerable Canadians, this Budget marks an important step toward a just recovery for all. With over $101 billion in spending, Budget 2021 makes a long-awaited investment in a National Childcare Program, creates a $15 federal minimum wage, increases support for low wage workers, increases Old Age Security for Canadians age 75 and older, introduces new spending for housing development and expands Employment Insurance and other pandemic-related financial supports. 

Many people with disabilities face barriers to employment, which have been further exacerbated during the pandemic. As a leader in providing comprehensive employment support to people with disabilities, March of Dimes Canada celebrates Budget 2021’s significant investments in employment programs, as well as supports for students with disabilities. We thank Finance Minister Hon. Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Hon. Carla Qualtrough for:

“This considerable investment in employment and workplace supports will help to create more equitable and accessible employment opportunities for Canadians with disabilities, increasing their financial security and independence. We look forward to continuing to work with the federal government as a valued partner in employment services,” said Leonard Baker, President & CEO, March of Dimes Canada.

March of Dimes Canada is looking forward to the launch of the Employment Equity Act review. We will participate fully and encourage Minister of Labour Hon. Filomena Tassi to undertake the planned review as quickly as possible to ensure Canadians with disabilities and other marginalized communities have access to the employment protections and services they need.

As was expected, March of Dimes Canada is pleased to see the federal government invest in advancing the development of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). The investment of $11.9 million over three years to undertake broad stakeholder and community consultations is an important first step in developing the new benefit and to reform the eligibility process for federal disability programs. 

This work will lay the foundation for the much-needed new federal disability income support program. We thank Minister Qualtrough for her leadership on this initiative and warmly anticipate acting as a trusted stakeholder in the development and implementation of the CDB. March of Dimes Canada’s advocacy activities will engage government, stakeholders and all Canadians to ensure the CDB delivers on the government’s commitment to provide financial security with no provincial/territorial claw backs, and ensures employment is not disincentivized for recipients through an optimized, rational application process for all federal disability benefits. 

“The Canada Disability Benefit has the potential to lift Canadians with disabilities out of poverty,” said Mr. Baker. “We are eager to partner with the federal government and our stakeholder community to design both this essential benefit and an application process which serve the unique and diverse needs of Canadians living with a disability.”

March of Dimes Canada also welcomes the commitment to increase access to the Disability Tax Credit, expanding access to an estimated additional 45,000 people with disabilities.

Recognizing the desire of all Canadians to stay independent in their homes as long as possible, March of Dimes Canada welcomes the federal government’s investment of $90 million over three years for the new Age Well at Home initiative, to fund projects that support low-income and vulnerable seniors to age in place. 

March of Dimes Canada has developed creative, innovative and proven solutions to ensure Canadians with disabilities and seniors can remain at home safely. Our Home and Vehicle Modification Program, currently funded by the government of Ontario, is an example of a solution which helps seniors and people with disabilities remain independent at home. We look forward to working with Minister Qualtrough to determine how this unique program can work for the millions of Canadians looking for practical ways to make their homes work best for them.

March of Dimes Canada welcomes the federal government’s investment of $30 billion over five years to create a national early learning and childcare system in partnership with the provinces. The federal government’s goal to reduce average regulated child care fees to an average of $10 per day by the end of 2026 is laudable and will help support Canadian women who have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 recession, while also ensuring the best start for kids.

Budget 2021 introduces several additional investments to address the inequitable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized and racialized communities, including Canadians living with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Highlights of new investments are:

March of Dimes Canada congratulates Minister Freeland for delivering her first, historic federal budget, and thanks Prime Minister Trudeau and the federal government for investing to build a more inclusive and supportive post-pandemic Canada.