Toronto, ON, April 29, 2024. According to a 2021 StatsCan report, the poverty rate of people with disabilities is almost double the rate of Canadians without disabilities. This underscores the urgent need to implement legislation that addresses the unique needs of Canadians living with disabilities and the various economic challenges that they face.

The forthcoming Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), first announced in 2020, represents a potentially transformational step from the federal government towards fostering lasting change for persons living with disabilities – and supporting them with soaring living expenses. While nine-in-ten Canadians support the CDB, for the benefit to be effective, it will need to include important features that successfully reduce poverty among Canadians living with disabilities.

Budget 2024 announced details regarding CDB funding and eligibility criteria that are seen to be inadequate by many in the disability community. A new report from the CSA Public Policy Centre, Dignity by Design: the Canada Disability Benefit, provides 10 recommendations for the CDB related to eligibility, adequacy, and administrative procedure to enhance the new benefit. This includes measures to streamline application processes, guaranteed income thresholds for lower-income Canadians, and the establishment of an advisory committee made up of people with lived experience to address the diverse needs of people living with disabilities.

“The CDB has the potential to be a transformative tool in the fight against poverty and inequality for Canadians living with disabilities,” said Sunil Johal, Vice President of Public Policy at CSA Group. “Implementing the recommendations outlined in the CSA Public Policy Centre’s new report will help policymakers ensure that this vital program serves its intended purpose of providing meaningful and lasting support.”

The CDB has the potential to significantly impact disability rights in Canada. As policymakers consider the design of the new benefit, the insights offered in the CSA Public Policy Centre’s new report serve as a guiding light towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

“Greater action is needed towards policymaking that is proactive and disability inclusive,” added Sherri Torjman, the report’s author and former VP of the Caledon Institute of Social Policy. “By prioritizing the needs of Canadians living with disabilities, we can create a more equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.”

To learn more and download Dignity by Design: the Canada Disability Benefit, visit CSA Group’s website. 

About CSA Group

CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. We are a leader in North American standards development and in product testing, inspection and certification around the world. Our mandate is to hold the future to a higher standard.

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Claire Brassard
CSA Group
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