Regardless, people with disabilities face incredible challenges that they simply don't have the ability in a lot of cases to overcome. That's just the hand they've been dealt.
One proposal that has received a lot of attention from people in the last little while is the idea of a basic annual income. I'm going to read you something from a report that the Caledon Institute did earlier this year in their presentation to our committee. I'll paraphrase to some extent:
One...alternative that Caledon has been exploring as part of architectural reform for persons with disabilities is an income-tested basic program that would provide adequate long-term financial support with no time limits for persons with severe disabilities.
This would be “financed and operated by the federal government”, and what they're modelling it on is the combination of OAS and GIS for seniors who live in poverty to take them up to a certain level of income—certainly not significant income, but it has reduced senior poverty rates.
So they're suggesting a basic annual income for persons with disabilities.
The Senate committee of the Government of Canada, who are releasing their report, have adopted the idea of the basic annual income, starting off with persons with disabilities.
Do any of you have thoughts on that issue?