Excerpt from Inclusion Canada News Release December 17, 2024
The federal government released its Fall Economic Statement (FES) with new priorities and new spending—but no meaningful progress to lift people with disabilities out of poverty. Inclusion Canada is deeply disappointed that, despite Minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation and clear signs of an economic pivot, this government continues to neglect the urgent needs of Canadians with disabilities.
Chaotic events on Parliament Hill highlight the government’s uncertain economic path,” said Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. “It is unacceptable to see the government commit billions to various initiatives, while people with disabilities remain left behind and stuck in poverty. We must see real, measurable progress that puts people with disabilities at the centre of Canada’s economic narrative.”
Inclusion Canada calls on the government to use the upcoming 2025 federal budget to:
- Fully fund the Canada Disability Benefit at a level that ensures dignity, equity, and a path out of poverty.
- End funding for congregate housing, investing instead in community-based, dispersed, inclusive housing solutions.
- Embed accountability measures in childcare agreements to guarantee inclusive early learning and childcare.
- Invest further in inclusive employment initiatives like Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA), helping people with intellectual disabilities secure real jobs at competitive wages.
- Invest in the capacity of disability organizations, empowering them to advance inclusion and human rights.