‘To say we’re furious is an understatement’: Fraser Valley disability advocate speaks out about federal budget
The 2024 federal budget confirmed details for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), and some people with disabilities across the country are outraged.
The CDB will provide direct monthly payments to low-income working-age Canadians with disabilities. But a disability advocate from Chilliwack, B.C. said that what the government is proposing is not right.
In January, Mary-Jean Belanger started a petition to expedite the process of bringing the benefit into force in time for the Liberal Party of Canada’s budget. Whether her petition had an effect or not, Belanger saidbthe result is far from a success.
After more than 1,200 days since the benefit was first promised, it was announced in the federal budget that the CDB will pay those who qualify a maximum of just $200 per month, and payments won’t begin until July 2025.
“Nobody cares about [people with disabilities]. Nobody cares about us. It’s just so scary to be in Canada,” said Belanger. “It’s just a disgusting country to do this to its most vulnerable people.”
