Supporting Canadians with Disabilities
In Canada, diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice—and there is still work to be done to make Canada a country that is truly equal for everyone.
The past two years, in particular, have reminded us of the systemic barriers and vulnerabilities faced by Canadians with disabilities. Here are a few of the ways we’re supporting Canadians with disabilities and breaking down systemic barriers that impede their success:
Establishing the Canada Disability Benefit
Since 2015, we’ve taken historic steps towards building a disability inclusive Canada. We have learned that the lives of persons with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. That’s why our government will re-introduce legislation to establish a new Canada Disability Benefit that will address the longstanding financial hardship felt by persons with disabilities and create a more disability-inclusive economy and society.
In the 2020 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada committed to creating a Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), including the proposed Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) as its cornerstone. In Budget 2021, we invested $11.9 million over three years to reform the eligibility processes for federal disability programs and benefits. This important work is underway and will directly inform the Canada Disability Benefit.
We are also working with the provinces and territories to ensure that the Canada Disability Benefit will increase the monthly income of Canadians with disabilities living below the poverty line and not negatively impact entitlement to other programs and services. The aim of the proposed CDB will be to supplement, not replace, existing federal and provincial/territorial supports with a goal of improving financial security for persons with disabilities and reducing poverty.
Disability Inclusion Highlights on the Budget 2022:
$272.6 million over five years to Employment and Social Development Canada to support the implementation of an employment strategy for persons with disabilities through the Opportunities Fund. This will help to address labour market shortages through increased participation by persons with disabilities and make workplaces more inclusive and accessible.
Of this funding, $20 million will be allocated to the Ready, Willing and Able program to help persons with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities find employment. This measure will also form an important part of the government’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which will aim to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities and build on more than $1.1 billion in funding that the federal government has committed to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities since 2015.In Budget 2022, the government proposes to make technical changes to the Canada Pension Plan legislation to ensure the correct calculation of eligibility and benefits for a small number of individuals qualifying for the Post-Retirement Disability Benefit and the child-rearing and disability drop-ins. These changes will ensure that the eligibility and calculation of these benefits is consistently applied for all individuals.
$5.3 billion to provide dental care for Canadians with family incomes of less than $90,000 annually, starting with under 12 years-olds in 2022, expanding to under 18 years-olds, seniors and persons living with a disability in 2023, with full implementation by 2025
Budget 2022 proposes to provide $140 million over two years, starting in 2022-23, to Health Canada for the Wellness Together Canada portal so it can continue to provide Canadians with tools and services to support their mental health and well-being.
In Budget 2022, the government proposes $25 million over 5 years on Funding for Access to Reading and Published Works for Canadians with Print Disabilities.
Funding proposed for Employment and Social Development Canada to support the production and distribution of alternative format materials by the Centre for Equitable Library Access and the National Network for Equitable Library Service; conduct research to better understand gaps in availability of accessible reading materials; and launch a new Equitable Access to Reading Program to boost the production of accessible format reading materials through innovative partnerships. This will promote the economic and social inclusion of persons with print disabilities and help to create a barrier-free Canada.Many Canadians have traditions of living together in multigenerational homes, with grandparents, parents, and children under one roof. For some families across the country, having different generations living together—an elderly grandparent with their daughter’s family or a son with a disability with their parents—can be an important way for them to care for each other.
To support these families, Budget 2022 proposes to introduce a Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit, which would provide up to $7,500 in support for constructing a secondary suite for a senior or an adult with a disability.
Doubling the Home Accessibility Tax Credit
Seniors and persons with disabilities deserve the opportunity to live and age at home, but renovations and upgrades that make homes safe and accessible can be costly.
The Home Accessibility Tax Credit provides support to offset some of these costs. But with the increased costs of home renovations, many seniors and persons with disabilities are often finding it hard to afford the home improvements that would allow them to continue living safely at home.
Budget 2022 proposes to double the qualifying expense limit of the Home Accessibility Tax Credit to $20,000 for the 2022 and subsequent tax years. This will mean a tax credit of up to $3,000—an increase from the previous tax credit of up to $1,500—for important accessibility renovations or alterations.
Doubling the credit’s annual limit will help make more significant alterations and renovations more affordable, including:
The purchase and installation of wheelchair ramps, walk-in bathtubs, and wheel-in showers,
Widening doorways and hallways to allow for the passage of a wheelchair or walker,
Building a bedroom or a bathroom to permit first-floor occupancy, and
Installing non-slip flooring to help avoid falls.
Disability Tax Credit
Apply for the Disability Tax Credit
The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. An individual may claim the disability amount once they are eligible for the DTC. This amount includes a supplement for persons under 18 years of age at the end of the year. The purpose of the DTC is to provide for greater tax equity by allowing some relief for disability costs, since these are unavoidable additional expenses that other taxpayers don’t have to face.
Being eligible for the DTC can open the door to other federal, provincial, or territorial programs such as the registered disability savings plan, the Canada workers benefit, and the child disability benefit.
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
Apply for the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
A strong and prosperous economy requires a diverse, talented, and constantly growing workforce. And yet too many Canadians with disabilities are facing barriers to finding meaningful and well-paid work.
The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities assists persons with disabilities to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. It supports persons with disabilities in overcoming barriers to participation in the Canadian labour market, and it supports employers to hire persons with disabilities.
This program supports a wide range of programs and services, including job search supports, pre-employability services, wage subsidies, work placements and employer awareness initiatives to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities. The Opportunities Fund is delivered across the country by Service Canada Centres, in partnership with organizations in the community.
Speeding Up Housing Construction and Repairs for Vulnerable Canadians
Every Canadian should have a safe place to call home, but for too many, including persons with disabilities, that still isn’t a reality.
Over the last five years, the National Housing Co-Investment Fund has supported the construction and repair of 108,000 housing units for the most vulnerable Canadians. Projects like shelters, homes for seniors and persons with disabilities, and supportive housing account for 75 per cent of units committed to so far, with demand for those units exceeding supply.
