CCD Seeks Parties' Position on Disability Benefit

For Immediate Release | September 7, 2021

Poverty is the reality for too many Canadians who live with disability.  6.2 million Canadians live with a disability.  Nearly 30% live in poverty.[1]

The disability community has been calling for a disability benefit for Canadians with disabilities.  For the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national human rights organization working for an accessible and inclusive Canada, this election is the time for political parties to explain how they plan to address disability poverty.

As a non-partisan organization, CCD is calling upon all Federal Parties to provide a clear explanation how they will support a disability benefit for Canadians with disabilities and if they do:

• How would eligibility be determined? 
• How would the benefit be structured?
• When would these benefits start?

“The time for ending the soul-crushing disability poverty is long overdue,” states Heather Walkus, CCD 1stVice Chair. “People with disabilities are struggling in very difficult situations – having to choose between food or prescription medication, trying to make do without necessary disability-related supports, living with the stress of not having any financial cushion in case of an emergency.  Canada can – and must – do better.”

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For More Information Contact:

Jewelles Smith, Communications and Government Relations Coordinator, jewelles@ccdonline.ca

Heather Walkus, 1st Vice Chair, heather@ccdonline.ca

About CCD

CCD is a non-partisan, national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada.

Mission

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is a social justice organization of people with all disabilities that champions the voices of people with disabilities, advocating an inclusive and accessible Canada, where people with disabilities have full realization of their human rights, as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mandate

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) unites advocacy organizations of people with disabilities to defend and extend human rights for persons with disabilities through public education, advocacy, intervention in litigation, research, consultation and partnerships.  CCD amplifies the expertise of our partners by acting as a convening body and consensus builder.

^[1] Canadians with disabilities face an uncertain financial future: U of T expert (utoronto.ca)