Read Our Submissions on Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act
DiPo has prepared two submissions for the federal government containing our recommendations for Bill C-22.
DiPo, in partnership with Kids Brain Health Network, submitted policy briefs to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (House of Commons) and the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Senate) containing our recommendations for Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act.
The purpose of Bill C-22 is to “reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit.” You can learn more about Bill C-22 here.
The recommendations in our submission were informed by our research and aim to ensure that the Canada disability benefit (CDB) is as accessible as possible to Canadians with disabilities.
In summary, our submission proposes the following six recommendations:
Recommendation #1: Use of appropriate metrics to determine CDB amounts
Recommendation #2: Adopt a needs-based approach to eligibility
Recommendation #3: Simplify the application process
Recommendation #4: Consider and plan ahead for emergencies
Recommendation #5: Clarify how the CDB will interact with other federal/provincial supports to avoid clawbacks
Recommendation #6: Co-design the CDB with the disability community to ensure individuals with lived experience have a seat at the table
Preparing submissions for bills in committee stage is an important way that DiPo contributes to policy change that promotes full participation for all Canadians with disabilities.
June 2023 Update: Bill C-22 received royal assent on June 22, 2023. A number of our recommendations from our submission were implemented. The following excerpts are pulled from the Senate committee report, and relate to information provided in our submissions:
Your committee heard that the official poverty line, currently defined using the Market Basket Measure, is not a representative indicator of disability-related living costs and would not achieve the objective of reducing poverty among Canadians with disabilities. Your committee therefore encourages the Governor in Council to consider these additional costs, which vary depending on a number of factors, in any regulation made regarding the amount of the Canada Disability Benefit and the method of determining said amount.
Your committee is concerned that an unanticipated consequence to limiting disability benefits to “working-age” persons might be to perpetuate poverty amongst persons with disabilities over the age of 65, particularly women. Your committee therefore suggests that within five years of the Act coming into force, the Government of Canada specifically evaluate its impact on elderly persons with disabilities.
Your committee heard a strong consensus that the disability community expects to play a role that goes beyond mere consultation in the development and design of the regulations. Your committee therefore recommends that, in addition to a dynamic involvement based on the “Nothing Without Us” model, the disability community should be represented in all its diversity, with space made for the most marginalized voices to be equally involved in all stages of the decision-making process.