Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan—Coquihalla who have serious concerns about the Canada pension plan disability program, in particular an appeals board that is backlogged with cases from March 1997.
Delays of more than one year have left many disabled Canadians in dire financial straits. Many are forced to apply for social assistance which they cannot get without first signing a repayment guarantee for benefits they may never receive.
The Liberals have failed disabled Canadians. They have left many disabled Canadians with no source of income. The Canada pension plan has been so badly mismanaged that it fails to provide Canadians with secure retirement. Now it fails to provide disability security.
The official opposition believes in the principle of a social safety net that provides security for those members of our society who are most in need.
On the day that Rick Hansen is on Parliament Hill will the government show compassion to disabled Canadians and expedite their appeals?