QUESTION PERIOD — Employment and Social Development
Canada Disability Benefit
May 29, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, as Senator Moncion pointed out, we’re in the middle of National AccessAbility Week, a special time of year to celebrate our progress and take stock of our challenges.
As you know, many of us, both inside and outside Parliament, are still reeling from seeing the modest amount announced in the budget for the Canada Disability Benefit.
Senator Gold, your government has been pressured on this issue for weeks now, and rightly so, as we recall that the stated objective of that benefit was to lift people living with disabilities out of poverty.
This is what we’ve been told dozens of times:
“To lift persons with disability out of poverty.”
We cannot do that with $200 a month. Knowing that, can you assure us that your government will be proposing other measures in the near future to help us to achieve our objective?
Thank you for your question, senator. I want to once again sincerely reiterate that the government understands people’s disappointment with the amount allocated for this first step.
However, it’s important to remember that this a first step, and it’s accompanied by all of the other measures that the government has put in place or is in the process of putting in place to help people who are living in poverty.
As you said, it is entirely fair and legitimate to focus on the Canada disability benefit, but I would invite you look at it in the context of all of the investments that Canada has made and continues to make to help those who are struggling with problems related to the cost of living and poverty.
Senator Gold, you should take advantage of this wonderful National AccessAbility Week to visit the government’s website, which is peppered with messages about inclusiveness and accessibility. Do you agree that, when it comes to accessibility, what we need is less talk and more action?
Of course, I agree. We need to roll up our sleeves and get the job done.
That being said, words, like intentions, are important because they give us a vision and a glimpse of what is to come. The government continues to work on this issue.
