GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 2, 2023
/CNW/ - The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) has the potential
to transform the lives of working-age persons with disabilities. In
Canada, persons with disabilities
are twice as likely to live in poverty and have trouble making ends
meet. This cornerstone of the Government's Disability Inclusion
Action Plan (DIAP) is now one step closer to becoming a
reality.
Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and
Disability Inclusion, Carla
Qualtrough, announced that Bill C-22, the ground-breaking
legislation for a new Canada Disability Benefit, passed third
reading and was unanimously adopted in the House of Commons. Bill
C-22 will now move to the Senate for consideration where it will be
sponsored by Senator Brent
Cotter.
In the spirit of Nothing Without Us, Bill C-22 recognizes
the importance of engaging with the disability community. The
Government will continue working with the disability community,
stakeholders, Indigenous organizations, and the provinces and
territories to inform the design of the proposed benefit, its
regulations and to ensure it helps as many people as possible.
Quotes
"With Bill C-22, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to
create a new benefit that will lift many working-age Canadians with
disabilities out of poverty. I'm looking forward to working with my
colleagues in the Senate to keep the momentum up. In Canada, no person with a disability should
live in poverty."
– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability
Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough
"I am both proud and honoured to be the sponsor for Bill C-22 in
the Senate. The creation of a Canada Disability Benefit that will
support so many Canadians is an historic achievement that will
significantly further our country's goal to be fully inclusive to
all."
– Senator Brent Cotter
Quick Facts
- According to the most recent Canadian Survey on Disability
(2017), nearly 917,000 (23%) working-age Canadians with
disabilities live in poverty. Persons with severe disabilities
(28%) and very severe disabilities (34%) are particularly
vulnerable and experience a high rate of poverty.
- The same survey found that Canadians with
disabilities—including women, men, LGBTQ2 people, racialized people
and Indigenous people—are more likely to be financially insecure
than other Canadians:
-
- 25 percent of Canadians with disabilities spend more than
30% of their total income on shelter costs;
- Fifty-nine percent of Canadians with disabilities aged 25
to 64 have gainful employment, compared to 80% of Canadians without
disabilities; and
- Canadians with disabilities aged 25 to 64 earn less than
Canadians without disabilities (12% less for Canadians with milder
disabilities and 51% less for Canadians with more severe
disabilities).
Related products
- Backgrounder: Supporting Canadians with disabilities - Canada
Disability Benefit
Associated Links
- Disability Inclusion Action Plan
- Making an accessible Canada
for persons with disabilities
- Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability
Inclusion mandate letter
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada