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

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.

It has been almost 3 years since the federal government promised to create a monthly Canada Disability Benefit for people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64. This Benefit, when combined with other income supports, aims to lift people with disabilities out of poverty.

Take action to ensure Bill C-22 is passed into law swiftly by joining the #BudgetTheBenefit campaign, led by Disability Without Poverty!

Send a digital postcard to your MP here:
https://www.disabilitywithoutpoverty.ca/ask-your-mp/?swcfpc=1

Disability Without Poverty‘s demands are:

• Bill C-22 for a Canada Disability Benefit needs to be passed into law this Spring 2023
• People with disabilities must be engaged in designing the benefit and implementing it in their province
• Fund and rollout the Canada Disability Benefit in 2023. Funding must be adequate enough to lift people with disabilities out of poverty