Dear Friend,
Below are highlights of what you'll discover in the December 2022 edition of Inclusion BC’s E-Update:
Please note that Inclusion BC's office and services will be closed from December 23 at noon until January 2. We will be back on January 3, 2023. We wish everyone a safe holiday season and the best for 2023!
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Applications are open until Friday, March 31, 2023
The Government of Canada created a one-time $500 top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit for renters with low income. You may be able to claim this tax-free benefit if you:
- Were born on or before December 1, 2007
- Have a family net income for 2021 of $35,000 or less for families, or $20,000 or less for individuals
- Are a resident of Canada for tax purposes in 2022 and live in Canada on December 1, 2022
- Have spent at least 30% of your family's net income on rent in 2022.
Read Inclusion Canada's information sheet here
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The Government of Canada's new Canada Dental Benefit is available now for families to receive up to $650 per year, per child, for two years for dental care.
The Benefit is available for families who:
- Have children under 12
- Have a net income of less than $90,000
- Do not have access to private dental insurance
- Have, or will have to spend out of pocket for dental care expenses
Read Inclusion Canada's info sheet here on what it is and how to apply
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On December 13, the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) finished its study of Bill C-22: the Canada Disability Benefit, and passed it as amended.
Now the bill can return to the House of Commons for 3rd Reading. Unfortunately, the bill did not reach the 3rd Reading in the House of Commons before the Holiday Break. We need to keep putting pressure on them and have the 3rd Reading done as soon as possible. Poverty doesn't break for the Holidays.
You can take action by contacting your local Member of Parliament in the new year to get them to push forward for the Canada Disability Benefit.
Find your local Member of Parliament here
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Inclusion Canada supports the government’s decision to delay the legalization of MAiD for mental illness. However, they believe that more needs to be done to address the discriminatory nature of the law. The organization is calling for a full stop on the legalization of assisted-dying (MAiD) for mental illness and for the government to repeal Bill C-7, which made it legal for people with disabilities who are not already dying to be euthanized. Bill C-7 was passed in 2021.
“MAiD for people with disabilities who are not terminally ill is a discriminatory disaster,” said Krista Carr, Executive Vice-President of Inclusion Canada,“This is made worse by systemic poverty, a housing crisis, and inadequate access to support in the community.”
Minister Lametti knows Canada is not ready for MAiD for mental illness because experts are seeing that the existing law is not working. People with disabilities have been dying by MAiD under track two because of their life circumstances and oppression, not because they want to die.
This is a critical moment for the disability community in Canada and their message is being heard. The pressure is working. This debate has been difficult for people with intellectual and other disabilities and their families but their advocacy efforts are paying off.
Read the full news release here
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On December 7th, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced the creation of a Disability Inclusion Business Council (DIBC). The council is made up of business leaders from all over Canada who are dedicated to changing business culture for disability inclusion in the workplace.
“The creation of the Disability Inclusion Business Council marks a significant step in prioritizing accessibility and disability inclusion in the workplace. The Council will work towards creating long-term benefits for businesses, the economy, persons with disabilities and all Canadians. Through this joint effort, we are making sure that Canadians with disabilities can fully participate in the workforce by ensuring they have equitable access to employment opportunities across the country.” – Carla Qualtrough
Read more about the Council here
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The Society for Children and Youth of BC is recruiting for its 2023 Youth Advisory Committee. They are looking for young people ages 12-18 to join in to give youth a voice in policies, programs, and procedures at the society. They need youth to make recommendations, advise on issues they are facing, and promote youth participation and leadership for child and youth rights in BC.
The application is open to youth with disabilities. You'll be able to let them know how they can meet your accessibility needs to take part in the council on the application form.
Committee members are compensated for every meeting they attend.
The deadline for applying is January 5th, 2023
Learn more and apply here
If you have any questions, please reach out to Zoe or Margie at outreach@scyofbc.org
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'This holiday season, we need your support to help keep people with disabilities and their families supported to thrive in their communities.
Please join us in expanding our capacity to take more calls, guide more families, and advocate for disability inclusion for a British Columbia where everybody belongs and is given every opportunity to live with dignity and thrive in their communities. You can help create meaningful change now and for future generations.
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Updates & Alerts
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