Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the HUMA committee.
I'm honoured to be here today. My name is Leslie Yee. I am legally blind and I have a guide dog. I'm also representing the Council for Persons with Disabilities in Peterborough, Ontario.
We're very happy to see Bill C-22 moving forward, and we applaud the government for considering a bill that is quoted as being “to reduce poverty and to support the financial security” of persons with a disability. It is a step in the right direction. However, there are a few concerns I would like to address.
For years now, a person with a disability has been living well below the poverty line. Bill C-22 is focused on bringing people out of poverty, and it has the intent of reducing poverty, but not of eliminating it. With today's inflation rates, the cost of living, increased rent and additional expenses, people are falling further and further below what is considered poverty.
If the provincial and federal governments continue to claw back benefits, we will never see an elimination of poverty. Only by eliminating the clawbacks between supports will we start to see poverty eliminated. Only then will we see people living a healthier, safer and happier life.
Twenty-two per cent of Canadians have a disability, and many cannot afford their rent, food or medications. To manage our disabilities, to purchase mobility and technology aids that are needed to navigate our surroundings, and to receive the proper and often expensive medication we need costs an average of 30% of our income.
Regarding clawbacks for persons with disabilities, individuals living on CPP disability earn approximately $1,200 per month. If they take on a part-time job and earn more than $533 per month—$6,400 per year—they are often reassessed and told they are making too much money. These individuals are told that their benefits might be reduced or taken away for working too much. This does not eliminate poverty. Instead, it creates fear and undue stress.
Another concern with Bill C-22 is the elimination of the benefit at age 65. While I understand that the benefit turns into CPP retirement, it is at a further reduced amount. Disabilities do not go away or simply disappear. Individuals with disabilities still need aids or medication and supports. In fact, these are only exacerbated by increased age.
CPD strongly believes the terminology “working age” should be eliminated from this bill. Bill C-22 should also be lifting seniors with disabilities out of poverty.
People with disabilities have the same desires, hopes and expectations as able-bodied citizens. We want to be part of our community and contribute to society by paying taxes, volunteering and supporting one another. Living a healthy and safe life is a human right, not a privilege. No one deserves to live below the poverty line, especially a poverty line that is currently below the cost of living.
I commend the committee for assessing Bill C-22, but respectfully ask that the wording of the bill be looked at carefully. All eligibility criteria, including any restrictions, should be reviewed carefully and determined through the development of the regulations. The wording of the Canada disability benefit act should not be allowed to impose any limitations or create more barriers.
On behalf of the Council for Persons with Disabilities, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak with you about Bill C-22. Our organization looks forward to a bill that will lift people out of poverty and create a better life for all persons with disabilities. Thank you.