Leading Disability Scholar Quits Federal Advisory Board Over Funding for Disability Benefit
One of Canada’s leading disability scholars, Michael Prince, has decided to resign from Disabilities Minister Kamal Khera’s advisory group due to his disappointment with the funding for the Canada Disability Benefit. Prince, a professor of social policy at the University of Victoria, believes that the benefit is underfunded, covers too few people, and is too complicated to access.
In the recent federal budget, the government allocated $6.1 billion over five years to run the program, with a maximum annual benefit of $2,400 per person. However, Prince argues that this amount is insufficient, as it only translates to $200 a month or around $6 per day. Advocates have also expressed disappointment with the program, stating that it falls short of addressing the needs of the estimated 1.2 million Canadians with disabilities living in poverty.
Despite the government’s efforts to create the disability benefit program, Prince notes that the benefit is projected to reach only 600,000 people and won’t be available until 2025. He criticized the government for not taking strong federal responsibility on this issue and failing to address the significant poverty-reduction effects of the benefit.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the program, stating that the Liberals have made significant efforts to support people living with disabilities. However, Prince’s resignation highlights the ongoing challenges and discrepancies in the government’s approach to addressing disability benefits.
The debate over the Canada Disability Benefit continues as advocates push for more comprehensive and accessible support for Canadians with disabilities.