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e-4777 (Social affairs and equality)

E-petition
Initiated by Mary-Jean Belanger from Chilliwack, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • People with disabilities often face barriers to employment along with higher costs associated with health care and housing;
  • The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) was delayed for over two years as the first attempt to pass the law establishing the benefit, known as Bill C-35, was postponed due to the 2021 election;
  • The CDB will provide much-needed financial support for people with disabilities, many of whom live in poverty;
  • The minister responsible has told Canadians that implementing the CDB is expected to take a minimum of 18 months following Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act, achieving Royal Assent on June 22, 2023;
  • Insufficient supports on current disability programs federally and provincially present a significant risk to life and health for people with disabilities across the country living in legislated poverty;
  • The federal government has refused to provide people with disabilities with an interim Disability Emergency Response Benefit; and
  • The government has yet to bring the CDB into force which is not starting the 12-month regulation time clock, which is delaying delivering the CDB.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to bring the Canada Disability Benefit into force within two weeks from the date this petition is presented to the House.

Response by the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Sameer Zuberi

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.

 

Open for signature
January 30, 2024, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
February 29, 2024, at 3:16 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre)
April 18, 2024 (Petition No. 441-02384)
Government response tabled
May 28, 2024
Photo - Mike Morrice
Kitchener Centre
Green Party Caucus
Ontario