This week the government announced the Canada Disability Benefit in Budget 2024. Along with organizations and advocates from across the country, we at DSBC anticipated a meaningful, impactful, and collaborative proposal. 1/5
Instead, we are left shattered and underwhelmed - for our loved ones with Down syndrome and disabled adults everywhere - with this "too little for too few" (@Disability_WP) announcement. 2/5
The dollars proposed by the federal government do not come close to lifting disabled individuals out of poverty, it is not enough. And the criteria to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (a qualifier for this Benefit) remains narrow and excludes many. 3/5
"Our disappointment cannot be overstated." (@InclusionCA) Disabled adults across this country deserve to live in dignity. More needs to be done to support, lift up, and move the needle on how we care for each other in this country. 4/5
The federal government could be part of meaningful, impactful, and collaborative change. It is not too late for them to make adjustments. We echo @CdnDownSyndrome's call that "collectively, we must continue pushing." 5/5
@downsyndromebc Thank you for advocating alongside us on this important issue.