Canadians back the Disability Benefit, questioning government's commitment to deliver it
A survey by the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) in partnership with Daily Bread Food Bank and Disability Without Poverty unveils widespread support among Canadians for the Canada Disability Benefit despite concerns over the government's execution pace and reliability.
The survey reveals a staggering 91 percent endorsement of the proposed Canada Disability Benefit, cutting across political affiliations, with support from at least 83 percent of past Conservative voters, and nearly all past Liberal (98 percent), NDP (99 percent), and Bloc Québécois (98 percent) voters.
Yet, 61 percent of Canadians consider the current financial support for those living with disabilities as either ‘inadequate’ (38 percent) or ‘far too little’ (23 percent).
Furthermore, 60 percent of Canadians with health issues that severely limit day-to-day activities find themselves often (35 percent) or always (25 percent) stressed about money.
Confidence in the federal government's commitment to deliver on this benefit is notably low, with only 5 percent expressing confidence, 45 percent doubting, and 13 percent certain the benefit will never be distributed.
The urgency for action is underscored by the unprecedented 32 percent year-over-year increase in food bank usage in Canada, with Toronto seeing a doubling in reliance on food banks.
People with disabilities, who face additional financial burdens like medical costs and special transportation, are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
“One in seven people who access food banks nationally rely on provincial disability income supports – in many provinces, this means living more than $800 below the poverty line each month,” the survey notes.
The Canada Disability Benefit is touted as a significant measure to mitigate food insecurity, enabling people to live with dignity. "Our country is in a pivotal moment," states Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank.
“The Canada Disability Benefit has the potential to be one of Canada's most important programs and could lift nearly one million Canadians out of poverty if fully funded.”
Over 60 Liberal Members of Parliament recently co-signed a letter urging Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Minister Freeland to fully fund Bill C-22, The Canada Disability Benefit Act, underscoring the benefit's importance in social policy.
“The results of this poll are a testament of Canadian values,” adds Rabia Khedr, national director of Disability Without Poverty. “We are the 27 percent, and we matter to all Canadians regardless of political affiliations.”
The call for a fully funded Canada Disability Benefit centers on bringing recipients to at least the Market Basket Measure, Canada's Official Poverty Line, and ideally 30 percent above it to cover disability-related costs.
It also advocates for an efficient, seamless benefit that doesn't claw back provincial supports and demands an equitable, barrier-free approach, inclusive of all disabilities.
Given the estimated annual cost of poverty in Ontario alone is between $27-33bn, a fully funded benefit could significantly reduce these societal costs.
"For Canadians concerned about government debt, a fully funded benefit will reduce these downstream costs, all while helping Canadians with disabilities live a life of dignity,” the advocacy groups argue, making a compelling case for the economic and moral necessity of the Canada Disability Benefit.
