NDP MP and disability inclusion critic Bonita Zarrillo
BC Disability
May 10th, 2022
The following is a statement by Disability Without Poverty:
Disability Without Poverty is pleased to see the NDP motion calling on government to table the Canada Disability Benefit bill today.
Over 1.4 million disabled people live in poverty across the country, and the Canada Disability Benefit presents the opportunity to help them live their lives with dignity.
Now that the motion has been tabled, we expect unanimous support from all parties. We expect that the bill will be tabled quickly and fast-tracked through each of the stages it needs to pass through as legislation. Until this Bill becomes law, we will continue to ask #WheresTheBill?
Disability poverty advocates Michelle Hewitt and Rabia Khedr are applauding the NDP motion
Michelle Hewitt, Co-chair of Disability Without Poverty says “Disabled people have lived in poverty for too long, and the extreme conditions have been exacerbated by the pandemic."
"With no increases in provincial disability assistance payments and inflation at 6.7%, disabled people need this Bill to pass now, and we are grateful that this motion is expected to be brought forward today.”
Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty says “Poverty does not take a break and there are only 27 sitting days remaining before summer recess. I implore our Parliament to prioritize disabled lives."
"People living with a disability in poverty want to live with dignity, but some are dying. Please implement the Canada Disability Benefit quickly. We are here to help with its design and implementation as people with disabilities to expedite the process.”
Spencer van Vloten is the editor of BC Disability. To get in touch, send an email to spencer@bcdisability.com!
