Responsive Menu
Logo for SelfAdvocateNet featuring a drawing of the Earth surrounded by people holding hands. Text reads, SelfAdvocateNet and Our Voice, Our Strength in bold letters.
Red text on a transparent background reads A BIG Thanks to our Sponsors! in a bold, cursive font.
A top-view of a wooden desk with a coffee cup, notepad, pen, smartphone, and sticky notes. In the center, a world map with the text Whats your story? is written in a cursive font.

PRESS RELEASE: BUDGET 2023 – PROGRESS IN DISABILITY INCLUSION, YET SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES REMAIN

Logo with the words Inclusion Canada in the center. The word Inclusion is in purple, and Canada is in teal. Both words are framed by bracket-like shapes in a gradient from purple to teal.

 

Logo with the text Inclusion Canada. The word Inclusion is in purple and Canada is in aqua, framed by gradient corner brackets transitioning from purple to aqua.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2023 

OTTAWA, ON – Inclusion Canada is encouraged to see the federal government prioritize disability inclusion throughout Budget 2023. Some victories are obvious, and others are a bit more nuanced.

“While some elements of the budget are promising, far too many people with intellectual disabilities are living in dire poverty,” says Robin Acton, President of Inclusion Canada. “As parents, our constant worry is the financial security of our children.  We urge the swift passing of Bill C22, the Canada Disability Benefits Act, our family members cannot wait”.

Yesterday’s budget committed $21.5 million to the groundwork for the development of the Canada Disability Benefit. We are encouraged by this commitment, however, we will be looking for a more substantial commitment to the actual funding of the benefit in the fall economic statement after the Bill receives royal assent.

Buried within Budget 2023 was an important nod to people with intellectual disabilities’ right to decide. Budget 2023 extends the “qualifying family member provision” until December 2026 and has extended this provision further to allow siblings to also become plan holders where the decision-making capacity of the individual with the intellectual disability is called into question. Most importantly, the federal government has issued a call to action to the provincial and territorial governments to address issues around guardianship for people with intellectual disabilities. We call on all levels of government to respect Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and enact, without delay, supported decision-making legislation.

“The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is clear – all people have the right to exercise their right to decide,” says Executive Vice President of Inclusion Canada, Krista Carr,. “Inclusion Canada will continue to demand that the Federal Government take the lead in abolishing legislation that violates the decision-making rights of persons with disabilities.”

Another subtle victory for people with intellectual disabilities in Canada: the government intends to pilot a new automatic tax filing system for vulnerable Canadians. This has the potential to remove roadblocks and improve access to government benefits and programs for people with disabilities.

While Budget 2023 is encouraging, it is missing crucial commitments to the disability community such as inclusive childcare, housing, and mental health support. We will work with our disability partners and community to ensure the full inclusion of people with a disability is a top priority in all government spending.

For more information, please contact:

Marc Muschler, Inclusion Canada
416-661-9611 ext. 232
mmuschler@inclusioncanada.ca

This is on Inclusion Canada Website go to the link here

Share:

More Posts

Logo featuring four abstract human figures in alternating blue and green, forming a circle. Below the figures, the text reads Community Living British Columbia.

A New Five Year Blueprint for Change on Home Sharing

Self Advocates Attention on Home Share Changes  Highlighting  this for Self Advocates  that basing it on in the plan  Throughout this work, self-advocates consistently described what matters most: • “People make sure I’m okay and that my home is safe.” • “People notice what’s not working and fix it so I can do well.” • “If something goes wrong, someone will look into it quickly and it gets fixed.” • “The people who work with me have the skills to

Community Living Month Oct 2026

October 2026 has been proclaimed Community Inclusion Month in British Columbia, recognizing the importance of building communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong, participate, and thrive. The proclamation is an important statement of what an inclusive province should look like: a place where everyone has opportunity, choice and control in their own lives, and where people with disabilities are welcomed as full and valued members of their communities. But a proclamation is only the beginning. The real work of

National Disability AI and Enabling Technology Virtual Summit 2026

1. Smart Homes for Independence Alexa Brill & Kathy Brill Self-Advocacy Ever wonder how people with significant disabilities can live independently? Hear from Alexa Brill and her Mom, Kathy Brill, on how Alexa uses smart home and other assistive technology to help her live independently in her own home. Also, learn how problems and barriers discovered along the way can be solved, and how her parents helped her achieve this independence. Alexa Brill Bio: Alexa Brill graduated with a Bachelor’s

Send Us A Message

Logo for SelfAdvocateNet featuring a drawing of the Earth surrounded by people holding hands. Text reads, SelfAdvocateNet and Our Voice, Our Strength in bold letters.
Red text on a transparent background reads A BIG Thanks to our Sponsors! in a bold, cursive font.
A top-view of a wooden desk with a coffee cup, notepad, pen, smartphone, and sticky notes. In the center, a world map with the text Whats your story? is written in a cursive font.
Scroll to Top