A Chilliwack woman has started a petition to help expedite the process of creating a federal disability benefit.
Mary-Jean Belanger, a disability advocate, initiated Petition e-4777 at the end of January. She and over 500 signees of the petition are calling on the government of Canada to “bring the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) into force within two weeks from the date the petition is presented to the House [of Commons].”
The CDB would provide direct monthly payments to potentially millions of low-income working-age Canadians with disabilities. After achieving “royal assent” in June 2023, the CDB Act is set to wait a full year before “coming into force.” Belanger’s petition would have that date moved up three months, to March.
“I think it’s a national embarrassment that we have people with disabilities living in legislated poverty,” said Mike Morrice, the member of parliament supporting the petition.
“We’re going to continue to advocate for the federal government to follow through and deliver.”
CIVL Radio spoke with Morrice, Belanger and another B.C. disability advocate for the story of the petition and perspective on the CDB.
