IN reaction to the passage of the Canada Disability Benefit in the House of Commons, NDP Critic for Disability Inclusion Bonita Zarrillo (MP for Port Moody—Coquitlam) said on Wednesday: “Today’s passage of the Canada Disability Act through the House of Commons is a long-overdue step in the right direction to do the work to lift people living with a disability out of poverty once and for all.”

She noted: “Nearly one million Canadians living with a disability live in poverty, and those with the most severe disabilities often live in the deepest poverty. The Liberal government has left these people to suffer for years.”

Zarrillo said: “While we welcome this step forward, it must be noted that this new benefit still lacks details related to income help for those who desperately need it to afford rent, mortgage and groceries.”

She added: “On top of lower incomes and lack of employment opportunities, there are additional costs associated with living with a disability in Canada. The costs of living with a disability can vary from 30 to 48 per cent of disposable income—leaving people in an impossible situation. This new benefit must not fail Canadians and must be the solution that will make life easier for Canadians living with a disability.”

The NDP called on the Liberals to work closely with advocates and the disability community to ensure the Canada Disability Benefit delivers the help people need to get by and build a truly inclusive Canada.

Zarrillo said: “The NDP will continue to fight to make this new benefit work for Canadians with disabilities.”