FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 18, 2025
Ottawa, ON – The Government of Canada has released the final regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), but they fail to provide the financial security that people with intellectual disabilities and their families need. While long-awaited, the benefit does not go far enough to address disability poverty.
Inclusion Canada is relieved that the CDB has been confirmed as a permanent national disability benefit, which was threatened by an anticipated Spring election. However, the final regulations do not provide the support necessary to meaningfully address disability poverty. Despite strong advocacy from the disability community, the government has maintained restrictive eligibility criteria, inadequate benefit amounts, and barriers that will exclude many who need support the most.
“The Canada Disability Benefit was meant to be a game-changer in tackling poverty among persons with disabilities and their families,” said Krista Carr, CEO of Inclusion Canada. “Unfortunately, the final regulations do not go far enough. The continued reliance on the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) as the primary eligibility criteria, and a maximum benefit amount of just $200 per month, will prevent thousands of people with disabilities—many of whom are already living in deep poverty—from achieving real financial security.”
A key concern for Inclusion Canada has been ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities, who are disproportionately impacted by poverty, can equitably access the benefit. However, the final regulations retain unnecessary restrictions, including using the DTC as the eligibility criteria, and a benefit amount much too low to make a substantive impact to disability poverty. The benefit remains too small, too restrictive, and too difficult to access for many who need it most.
“The regulations fail to recognize the extreme financial hardship that people with intellectual disabilities face,” said Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. “Much work remains to improve this benefit, and we won’t stop until it is adequately funded and accessible to all who need it.”
With a federal election on the horizon, Inclusion Canada urges Canadians to make ending poverty for people with a disability an election issue. We call on people across the country to demand that every political candidate commits to strengthening the Canada Disability Benefit by raising the benefit amount, simplifying access, and expanding eligibility. The federal government must do more to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities and all people with disabilities can live with dignity and financial security.
Inclusion Canada remains committed to working with the federal government to strengthen the Canada Disability Benefit and ensure that it delivers meaningful support for all people with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.
For more information on what Inclusion Canada was asking to see in the final regulation, please see our easy-to-read blog post: https://inclusioncanada.ca/2024/11/22/why-the-cdb-needs-to-be-better/
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For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Marc Muschler, Senior Communications Officer
Inclusion Canada
Email: mmuschler@inclusioncanada.ca
Direct: 416-661-9611 ext. 232
About Inclusion Canada
Inclusion Canada is the national federation of 13 provincial/territorial member organizations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Inclusion Canada drives social change by strengthening families, defending rights, and transforming communities into places where everyone belongs.
