On June 20^th, 2023 Bill C-22 was passed by the Senate! The Bill proposes to create a federal income supplement for low-income, working-age people with disabilities, modelled after the Guaranteed Income Supplement. As of June 22^nd, Bill C-22 has now received Royal Assent and becomes law by “written declaration” by the Governor General.

We applaud everyone—from the disability community (individuals and organizations) to those in Government—who tirelessly advocated for the passage of this Bill.

Prior to its passing of the Bill, the Senate had recommended 4 amendments[1], and the Bill was sent back to the House of Commons for re-consideration. The House approved 3 of the 4 amendments. The amendment the House rejected would have protected the Benefit from potential private insurance claw backs; the reason given for the rejection was due to “concerns over provincial jurisdiction over the regulation of the insurance industry.”[2] DABC has concerns over the omission of this amendment and will continue to advocate for a Canada Disability Benefit that safeguards against any clawbacks to a disabled person’s income.

We know that this work isn’t done. There is a 12 month deadline to develop the new Act’s regulations. DABC looks forward to working collaboratively to help develop these regulations over the next months. We will continue to provide updates through social media, email and our newsletter when possible. 

[1] https://archdisabilitylaw.ca/tell-the-senate-to-pass-a-stronger-bill-c-22/

[2] https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canada-disability-benefit-bill-passes-parliament-1.6448999

June 21^st marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, which recognizes and celebrates the rich and diverse history, heritage and culture of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across the country.  

In BC and looking to celebrate? Check out this list of events: 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/national-indigenous-peoples-day-bc-1.6881920 

We encourage settlers to visit https://native-land.ca/ to learn more about the traditional territories on which you live.  

DABC would also like to highlight our community and Access RDSP program partner Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC)/the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS). Indigenous people have higher rates of disability and poverty and the work they do to support Indigenous people with disabilities is so important. Visit their website to learn more: http://www.bcands.bc.ca/.  

Big news: Bill C-22 has just been passed! Soon the Bill will receive Royal Assent as the Canada Disability Benefit Act.

We applaud everyone—from the disability community (individuals and organizations) to those in Government—who tirelessly advocated for the passage of this Bill.

This work isn’t done, and DABC looks forward to working collaboratively to help develop the new Act’s regulations over the next months.