At a Federal pre-budget consultation on January 29th, 2021, the Roundtable presented a new policy brief called, “Beyond Basic Needs: The Financial Cost of Disability”.

The policy brief outlines critical considerations for the design of a new Canadian Disability Benefit . It is premised on the assumption we should be creating a disability supplement not simply poverty alleviation, because when a benefit is created that assumes the needs of persons with disabilities are no different than their non-disabled peers, structural poverty is created.

The disability benefit alone is not enough.  We also hope that in time an adequate guaranteed income for Canadians is also realized. The pandemic has shown us the extent to which our income security system fails individuals and families in this new precarious labour market. For those with disabilities, the two income systems – a basic income and disability benefit — must operate in tandem to ensure that both immediate and long-term needs are met.

Have a look at our policy brief here:  Beyond Basic Needs: The Financial Cost of Disability