For immediate release – June 10, 2022

Edmonton, AB – Inclusion Alberta is pleased to have seen Bill C-22, the foundational legislation to enact the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), reintroduced in the federal legislature last week. The Benefit has the potential to significantly reduce poverty for thousands of Albertans with developmental disabilities.

“As the parent of an adult son with a developmental disability, I know that the Canada Disability Benefit will have an enormous impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, helping to lift so many out of poverty and providing opportunity for a good life afforded to other Canadians,” says Monica Braat, parent and President of Inclusion Alberta.

Trish Bowman, Inclusion Alberta’s Chief Executive Officer, strongly encourages all federal parties to come together to pass the long overdue legislation unanimously and swiftly through the House of Commons and Senate in order to get the Benefit into the hands of individuals with disabilities who so desperately need it now.

“People with disabilities experience staggering rates of unemployment and poverty,” says Bowman. “This is an encouraging first step towards a new federal benefit that will help address the historic social and economic exclusion of individuals with disabilities and assist them to secure a standard of life comparable to Canadians without disabilities.”

Inclusion Alberta also calls upon the Alberta government to ensure that there will be no ‘clawbacks’ of the Canada Disability Benefit or to other provincial financial supports applied to Albertans who are in receipt of the new Benefit.

Quick links:

• Video link: ca | Headline Politics | Employment Minister Reintroduces Disability Benefit Bill – June 2, 2022
• Link (Canada.ca Media Release): Government of Canada reintroduces legislation to create a new Canada Disability Benefit
• Inclusion Canada (PDF): Canadian-Disability-Benefit-Information-Sheet

**

For further inquiries, or to arrange for an interview please contact:

Sara Protasow           

Communications Coordinator

Inclusion Alberta

sprotasow@inclusionalberta.org

Cell: 780-906-4693

About Inclusion Alberta:  Inclusion Alberta is a family based, non-profit federation that advocates on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Together, we share a dream of meaningful family life and community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities. As an advocacy organization we support families and individuals in their desire to be fully included in community life.