An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act
This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, law.
Summary
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
This enactment establishes the Canada disability benefit to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of working-age persons with disabilities. It sets out general provisions for the administration of the benefit and authorizes the Governor in Council to implement most of the benefit’s design elements through regulations. It also makes a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act .
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-22s:
C-22 (2021)
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
C-22 (2016)Law
An Act to establish the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians and to make consequential amendments to certain Acts
C-22 (2011)Law
Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement Act
Votes
Feb. 2, 2023Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act
Oct. 18, 2022Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-22 aims to reduce poverty and increase financial security for Canadians with disabilities by establishing the Canada Disability Benefit. The bill creates a legal framework for the benefit, with specific details such as eligibility criteria, payment amounts, and application processes to be determined through future regulations, in collaboration with the disability community and provinces/territories. The goal is to supplement existing support systems and ensure that the benefit interacts effectively with provincial programs, without causing clawbacks or loss of other entitlements.
Liberal
Addressing poverty among disabled Canadians: Bill C-22 aims to reduce poverty and enhance financial security for persons with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected by poverty due to historical discrimination and systemic barriers. The bill seeks to close the income gap for working-age people with disabilities, promoting independence, dignity, and autonomy.
Building on previous accessibility efforts: The Canada disability benefit builds upon the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and its principles of equality, barrier-free access, and the involvement of persons with disabilities in the design and implementation of laws and policies ('nothing without us'). It aligns with the four pillars of the disability inclusion action plan: financial security, employment, accessible communities, and a modern approach to disabilities.
Collaborative approach with stakeholders: The specifics of the Canada disability benefit will be determined through regulations developed in collaboration with the disability community and the provinces and territories. This collaborative approach respects provincial jurisdiction in disability support and aims to ensure that the new benefit complements existing services without unintended consequences like clawbacks.
Urgency due to MAID concerns: There is an urgency to pass the bill because poverty can drive disabled people to seek medical assistance in dying (MAID). Passing the bill to help lift people out of poverty, and allow them to live with dignity is of utmost importance.
Conservative
Criticism of Bill C-22: Conservatives are critical of Bill C-22, arguing that it lacks concrete details and relies too heavily on regulations to be determined later, leading to uncertainty about eligibility, payment amounts, and potential clawbacks. They believe the bill, in its current form, fails to provide sufficient assurance that Canadians living with disabilities will be lifted out of poverty.
Delays and Prioritization: The Conservative party accuses the Liberal government of delaying action on disability benefits and prioritizing political interests over the needs of disabled Canadians. They highlight the reintroduction of the bill after an election call and express concern that getting disability benefits to people who need them has not been a priority for the current government.
Clawbacks and Provincial Disparities: The Conservatives express concern about potential clawbacks of the disability benefit and criticize the government's approach of negotiating with provinces after introducing the legislation. They fear this could lead to provincial disparities and a patchwork of policies, leaving Canadians living with disabilities facing uncertainty and financial hardship.
MAID Concerns: Conservative members raise concerns about Canadians with disabilities considering MAID because they cannot afford to live or access services. They criticize the government for policies that they believe contribute to a sense of hopelessness and burden, potentially leading to people choosing assisted suicide.
NDP
Support with reservations: The NDP supports moving the bill forward quickly, despite the lack of details, in order to relieve unnecessary suffering for persons with disabilities, contingent on the Liberals following through with adequate supports.
Lack of details criticized: The bill relies too heavily on regulations to determine who will get the benefit, how much it will be, and when they will get it, leaving key decisions to be finalized behind closed doors.
Call for adequate benefits: The NDP fought to get adequacy enshrined in the legislation, emphasizing that the benefit should close the gap between provincial/territorial supports and the official poverty line, and accommodate the additional costs of living with a disability.
Emphasis on collaboration: The NDP emphasized the importance of including people with lived experience in the design and implementation of the supports, in keeping with the principle of 'nothing without us'.
Bloc
Support with reservations: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-22 due to the urgent need to help people with disabilities, who face precarious situations exacerbated by the pandemic and inflation. However, they have significant reservations about the bill's lack of detail and the government's broad discretionary powers.
Regulation concerns: The Bloc is concerned that the minister is taking too much power by deciding on every detail of the benefit by regulation, without parliamentary oversight or transparency. They worry that the regulations are being developed opaquely and that the final benefit may not adequately address the poverty faced by people with disabilities.
Lack of specifics: The Bloc criticizes the bill for being a 'blank slate' with no clear eligibility criteria or information on benefit amounts, application processes, or coordination with provincial programs. They emphasize the need for the benefit to meet the actual needs of people with disabilities and for the process to be open and transparent, involving relevant stakeholders.
Protecting Quebec's system: The Bloc seeks assurance that Quebec's existing social safety net, which includes a basic income program for people with severe disabilities, will not be negatively impacted by the new federal benefit. They want to ensure that individuals in Quebec do not lose out on benefits they are currently entitled to.
It being 3:10 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at third reading stage of Bill C‑22.
Call in the members.
Links & Sharing
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)
