e-4777 (Social affairs and equality)

Framework legislation for the Canada Disability Benefit, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023, after being passed unanimously by the House of Commons and subsequently passed by the Senate. As amended by Parliament, the Act will come into force no later than one year following Royal Assent, on June 22, 2024.

As proof of the Government’s commitment to the benefit, Budget 2024 proposed an investment of $6.1 billion over six years, beginning in 2024-25, and $1.4 billion per year ongoing, for the benefit. Following successful completion of the regulatory process and consultations with persons with disabilities, the Government has committed to begin providing payments to eligible Canadians starting in July 2025.

As the Government is very aware that many Canadians with disabilities are in desperate need of the additional financial support that the Canada Disability Benefit will provide, it is moving as quickly as possible to the next steps, while ensuring that persons with disabilities have opportunities to provide input.  Work has already begun on drafting regulations under the Canada Disability Benefit Act, setting out important benefit details such as the application process, how individual benefit entitlements will be calculated, payment frequency, and the mechanism for Canadians to appeal decisions. The Government aims to publish the draft regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette in the coming months, which will enable persons with disabilities and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed approach in the spirit of «Nothing Without Us». Input received through this consultation process will be considered in revising the regulations for final publication in Part 2 of the Canada Gazette.