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Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

Sameer Zuberi

  • Member of Parliament
  • Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
  • Liberal
  • Pierrefonds—Dollard
  • Quebec
  • Voting Attendance: 66%
  • Expenses Last Quarter: $116,520.48

  • Government Page
Context: House Hansard - 263 - Dec/6/23
Mr. Sameer Zuberi (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Lib.)
  • Dec/6/23 7:28:55 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I would start off by thanking the member for Port Moody—Coquitlam for her advocacy for the disability community. Since 2015, our government has worked tirelessly to lift millions of Canadians out of poverty. This includes persons with disabilities. We know that too many people are facing additional costs related to their disability. I am speaking of expenses limited to accessible housing, to accessible transportation and to disability supports, among many others. We know that a mix of poverty and disability can create physical and social isolation. The disability benefit is a major milestone in helping to alleviate poverty for those who have disabilities. We will not cut corners on meaningful consultation. We have committed to deliver this benefit quickly. We know that the need is urgent. Poverty is complex and multi-dimensional. The Canada disability benefit is meant to supplement income and not replace existing benefits. We want to make sure that its impact is felt and that it is real. Other levels of government and the private sector need to join us in this mission of eliminating poverty among persons with disabilities. We need to recognize that decades of relentless advocacy on the part of the disability community have helped us get to the point we are at today. In the spirit of “Nothing Without Us”, we could not have gotten to the point where we are. “Nothing Without Us” means that we are working with the disability community to get to a point where this benefit will be realized and will help those who are impacted. Everything we have achieved thus far has been done by working with the community each and every step of the way. The Canada disability benefit is a cornerstone of the disability inclusion action plan. The action plan includes key priorities identified by the disability community. Our government has held round table discussions with members of the community, with advocates and with experts. At the same time, community- and indigenous-led engagements have been held on separate tracks to make sure the action plan is comprehensive and effective. The next step is to make the Canada disability benefit a reality through regulations and implementation. We will continue to work with the disability community, stakeholders, indigenous organizations and provinces and territories. We have started the engagement and the design of the regulations. We are confident that the benefit will help ease the stress and hardship of those who need it. I want to again thank the disability community, advocates, actors and those who have been pushing to help us get to the point where this benefit will be fulsome, will be real and will help alleviate poverty. I also thank the member opposite for her advocacy.
460 words
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