SoVote

Ms. Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody—Coquitlam, NDP)

Feb/1/23 4:37:49 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-22

Madam Speaker, I want to start by acknowledging the minister for her commitment to equality. My question is about the language around this being a supplementary benefit. I have heard from so many persons living with disabilities in Canada who say that even the poverty line is not enough to establish that they need help with the necessities of life. What will be the plan for the amount of this benefit?

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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23

Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk

Feb/1/23 4:52:31 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-22

Madam Speaker, the Canada disability benefit is one piece of the puzzle as we seek to look after Canadians. Obviously this government has increased OAS by 10%, which is the first increase to OAS we have seen in well over 30 years. Therefore, we are putting in place programs that look after Canadians in all stages and all phases of life, from the very young to the very old. At the same time, we are committed to implementing the measures and principles of the United Nations declaration. Whether we are working through the disability inclusion action plan or the Canada disability benefit, we advance the principles in the United Nations declaration.

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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23

Ms. Louise Chabot (Thérèse-De Blainville, BQ)

Feb/1/23 5:20:14 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-22

Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her speech. Although I have a completely different point of view, there is one thing we agree on, and I would like to ask her a question. I, too, am a member of the committee that did an in-depth study of Bill C‑22. What seems to be unique about this bill is that the amount of the benefit and the eligibility criteria will be established by regulations, without any parliamentary oversight on what the benefit level will be. Will this amount truly complement what is being provided in Quebec and the provinces? Will it meet its objective of reducing poverty? We moved an amendment in that regard in committee proposing that the eligibility criteria and the amount of the benefit be studied in Parliament and a decision be made. The amendment was not successful. What are my colleague's thoughts on that? Would it have been a good idea?

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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23

Mr. Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, NDP)

Feb/1/23 5:22:43 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-22

Madam Speaker, I bring a bit of personal experience to this debate, as my youngest child lives with a disability. She is 27 years old, and we have been working with other parents in the disability community, so I know how important this disability benefit is. I really share my colleague's comment that it is cruel to continue to make promises to this community and not deliver. However, I was in the House from 2008 to 2015, when her government, the Conservatives, sat back while millions of people with disabilities did not receive a benefit like the one before the House today. Curiously, that is about the same amount of time it has taken the current Liberal government. First, what amount of benefit does the member think is appropriate to support persons with disabilities? Second, we have a dental bill before the House that would bring dental care to millions of Canadians living with disabilities. Can she tell the House why she voted against it?

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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23

Ms. Laurel Collins (Victoria, NDP)

Feb/1/23 5:55:57 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-22

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her speech. I share her concerns. Can she elaborate on why it is so worrisome that this bill lacks details on how much the benefit will be, who is eligible and when they will start receiving it?

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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23

Ms. Bonita Zarrillo

Feb/1/23 7:36:38 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-22

Mr. Speaker, I appreciated working with the member throughout the whole process of Bill C-22 since Parliament began to sit. Right now, the cost of living is limiting persons with disabilities who are living in poverty the opportunity to eat a meal. I am asking the member if the Liberal government is willing to consider an emergency interim benefit as we wait for the Canada disability benefit to get into their bank accounts. I want to know from the member if it is on the Liberals' radar to make sure that people living with a disability in this country are having their human rights upheld and can afford to live in a home, eat a decent meal, and buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Context: House Hansard - 151 - Feb/1/23

Mr. Irek Kusmierczyk

Feb/1/23 7:37:34 p.m.
Watch
Re: Bill C-22

Mr. Speaker, the proposed Canada disability benefit has the potential to reduce poverty and improve financial security for hundreds of thousands of working-age Canadians with disabilities. That is why we are taking the time to consult with our partners, including the disability community, indigenous organizations, disability researchers and experts, persons with disabilities, and disability stakeholders, as well as the provinces and territories. Persons with disabilities know what they need. With their input, we will determine all details of the Canada disability benefit, which we look forward to sharing with everyone, including my colleague, the member for Port Moody—Coquitlam.

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