Subscribe to RSS Feed
e-5047 (Social affairs and equality)
E-petition
Initiated by Brent Frain from Victoria, British Columbia
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the House of Commons
Whereas:
- Persons with disabilities (PWD) often pay out-of-pocket for medications, massage treatments, mobility aids or specialized diets. Inflation has made things even more difficult;
- Rent prices and renovictions are on the rise and persons with disabilities are especially vulnerable. Provincial housing stock set aside for PWDs is either woefully inadequate or nonexistent. On average, only 10-12% of PWDs have access to provincial housing or other rental subsidies;
- Provincial disability benefits across the country remain stuck at 50% below the poverty line, forcing persons with disabilities to seek mutual aid and charity;
- Persons with disabilities are paying anywhere from 50-95% of their monthly provincial benefits on housing. This far exceeds the 30% limit in Rent-Geared-to-Income;
- Paying for necessities has become a daily struggle for PWDs and utilities like TV, internet & cell phone have become unaffordable luxury items;
- People with disabilities are facing risk to life or end-of-life options of MAiD and suicide; and
- Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben said it best: “With great power, comes great responsibility.” The disability community across Canada is asking each MP, both individually and collectively, to wield their government powers responsibly to ensure that the right to a dignified disabled life becomes reality
We, the undersigned, disabled citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Consider the implementation of a temporary top-up benefit, a Disability Emergency Response Benefit (DERB), to be immediately provided to help all those currently eligible for any disability benefit program, until the Canada Disability Benefit is distributed;
2. Consider DERB to fill the gaps and make a difference in the many lives desperately needing support now everyone; and
3. Wield government powers responsibly to ensure that the right to a dignified disabled life becomes reality.
- Open for signature
- June 26, 2024, at 2:19 p.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- October 24, 2024, at 2:19 p.m. (EDT)
