March of Dimes Canada issued an open letter to each of the federal party leaders, asking them to commit to making the Canada Disability Benefit and Disability Inclusion Action Plan a reality. You can read Len Baker’s letter as President and CEO of March of Dimes Canada to the party leaders below – and we’ll post their responses here as they’re received.

Dear federal party leaders,

For far too long, living with a disability in Canada has meant exclusion and a life in poverty for hundreds of thousands of people in one of the world’s most prosperous nations. As one of Canada’s largest non-profit organizations supporting people living with disability, March of Dimes Canada asks that you commit to prioritizing equity and inclusion for the disability community in all aspects of Canadian life should your party form the next federal government.

People with disabilities are twice as likely to live in poverty and make up 41 per cent of the low-income population in our country. In a recent survey of clients and families we serve, financial barriers were identified as the most prevalent concerns, even more than physical or social barriers. It is time to commit to ending disability poverty in Canada.

As election day draws nearer, I am asking you and your party to commit to making the Canada Disability Benefit and the broader Disability Inclusion Action Plan a reality. March of Dimes Canada’s view is that these are two key policies that have the potential to be transformational for the disability community. 

People with disabilities across the country are counting on the new federal benefit and an action plan to address the economic and systemic inequities facing them. It is crucial that the next Government of Canada continues to move these policies forward to advance equity and inclusion for people with disabilities. 

Specifically, the Canada Disability Benefit should complement existing provincial and territorial benefits to provide a basic, livable income that enables people with disabilities across the country to live dignified, empowered and independent lives. The next federal government should also work with the provinces and territories to ensure that this new federal benefit does not compromise people with disabilities’ access to existing benefits and supports, so that they can enjoy the full impact of the federal benefit. We are asking you to undertake this important work for all Canadians.

Since 1951, March of Dimes Canada has delivered a wide array of services and programs that transform the lives of people with disabilities. Based on our long history as a service provider, we have an in-depth understanding of the diverse needs of people living with disabilities. We have seen firsthand the impact that poverty has on the communities we work with and are optimistic about the potential for the Canada Disability Benefit to move people with disabilities beyond poverty.

Over the coming months, March of Dimes Canada will be releasing a new strategic plan, which was informed by the people we serve and their families, caregivers and communities. Included in our plan is a transformational initiative that prioritizes our role as a leader in the design and optimization of application and administration processes for federal disability benefits which are inclusive and accessible. March of Dimes Canada is a key national stakeholder and will participate substantially in national discourse and consultation on this file.

I would appreciate you taking the time to respond regarding your commitment to the Canada Disability Benefit and Disability Inclusion Action Plan, should you and your party form a government on September 20. We look forward to connecting with you and your team in the coming months.

Sincerely,

President & CEO

March of Dimes Canada