Liberals leave more than one million people with disabilities in poverty « Canada’s NDP

April 30, 2024 at 9:00 am  Federal, Politics

COQUITLAM — On Monday, NDP Critic for Disability and Inclusion Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody—Coquitlam) questioned Minister Kamal Khera for failing to lift people living with disability out of poverty.
At the parliamentary committee that deals with issues related to disability benefits, Zarrillo reminded the minister that her government’s Budget 2024 allocated a mere $200 a month for the Canada Disability Benefit.
“More than a million people with disability live in poverty across Canada,” said Zarrillo. “For years, New Democrats and people with disabilities have been pushing the Liberals to deliver a Canada Disability Benefit. But what the government announced is woefully inadequate. At $200 a month, the benefit doesn’t even cover the cost of groceries, let alone rent, medications or other expenses. It’s disappointing that the Liberals once again failed to live up to their own promises.”
Zarrillo added that the Liberals ignored their own advisory council, thousands of advocates, and people with disabilities across the country when implementing the Canada Disability Benefit. As a result, the benefit isn’t meeting the needs of people to make ends meet.
New Democrats are also raising concerns that not everyone who needs this help will be able to access it, and provinces are still able to clawback the support.
“This government has not done the work to make the Canada Disability Benefit adequate and accessible. The Liberals haven’t even done the work to ensure provinces and territories can’t claw back this crucial benefit. They never seem to run out of money for handouts to giant corporations and rich CEOs. But when it comes to helping people living with disabilities, all they offer is crumbs. Meanwhile, the Conservatives want to cut supports like the Canada Disability Benefit all-together.
“New Democrats are fighting for you. We’ll keep pushing to increase the Canada Disability Benefit to lift people living with disabilities out of poverty.”

View the full article from the original source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Fri, May 8, 2026 at 12:22 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: We did it! WILD WOR(L)DS Poetry and Nature-Friendly Yards
Thu, May 7, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Colombia conference carves better climate and trade path
Wed, May 6, 2026 at 6:53 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Win 2 tickets to Mamma Mia! – The Kamloops Film Society
Thu, Apr 30, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: War is the enemy of all mankind
Thu, Apr 23, 2026 at 10:38 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Sunday Classics | Celebrating Mom – The Kamloops Film Society
Thu, Apr 23, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Conflict and crises floodlight fossil fuel folly
Thu, Apr 16, 2026 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Love is the secret weapon in facing our collective crises
Tue, Apr 14, 2026 at 1:38 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: At the “Meeting of the Waters”: Floodplain management in Kamloops
Tue, Apr 14, 2026 at 12:27 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Canada Summer Jobs 2026 – The Kamloops Film Society
Mon, Apr 13, 2026 at 2:39 pm - Transition Kamloops posted on their blog: Transition Kamloops joins new provincial transit alliance
Full Stream

Upcoming Events

Ivan Decker: Million Dollar Comedy Tour
Saturday Jun 13
All Events