As Canada heads into another federal election on April 28th, disability advocates and associations like DDA across the country are watching closely. Watching because the world has been distracted by global conflict, economic threats, and general destabilization that has grabbed the attention of most. And, as expected, political platforms and promises currently reflect those stories and little else.
With or without scary headlines and sabre rattling emanating from the United States, when it comes to politics and policy, people with disabilities are often relegated to the sidelines, their voices drowned out by special interests with deep pockets. Accessibility, employment opportunities, housing, and basic cost of living are just some of the ever-present issues facing the community DDA supports. To offset some of these challenges, advocates had been pushing for a new federal disability benefit for many years, finally with some success.
July 2025 marks the long-awaited rollout of the new Canada Disability Benefit. While the benefit’s arrival is historic, its current amount—an average of just $200 per month—falls far short of what the disability community was hoping for, and certainly not enough to move the needle on lifting people out of poverty. The legislation’s intent was clear: to reduce poverty and promote financial security for working-age people with disabilities. But $200 a month? That’s not enough for groceries, let alone housing or basic quality of life. Many advocacy groups have called the figure “deeply inadequate” and “disappointing.”
Beyond the relative success of the legislation and in the run-up to the vote, little discussion about other issues facing our community can be heard. For example, regarding housing, the parties have proposed a similar idea of no GST on homes priced at or slightly above 1 million dollars. What does that mean for people with disabilities who have no hope of entering the market at all? Additionally, affordable housing plans serve a purpose as long as one can still afford them. Out here on the West Coast, the term affordable housing is a well-known joke. People with disabilities who live below the poverty line STILL can’t afford it. Also, there is talk of increasing TFSA limits. Great…if you have money to save.
With a new federal government about to take the reins—be it Liberal, Conservative, or NDP—there’s a fresh political opportunity to listen to the people the new CDB benefit was meant to serve. There is an opportunity to create policies to better reflect the needs of everyone in the community. At the very least, raising the Canada Disability Benefit amount should not be seen as a radical move but as a moral and economic imperative. Poverty costs everyone. And providing real, livable support isn’t just about compassion—it’s about dignity, equity, and the kind of country we want to be.
So, the question for future leaders: With over 20% of the current population identifying with a disability, which of you wants to win voters over?
