*September 10, 2024, Update: Our recommendations for improving the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) have changed slightly. To read the most up-to-date ISAC recommendations on the CDB, click here*
Every federal budget cycle includes a period for public submissions well in advance of budget deliberations. In May, we posted our reaction to the 2024 Federal Budget at this link. We have since developed the following recommendations for the Standing Committee on Finance for Federal Budget 2025.
These recommendations were submitted during the first 2025 Federal Budget pre-budget submission period which closed on August 2, 2024. There will be another submission period in early 2025.
ISAC recommends the following for Budget 2025:
Recommendation 1 – Increase the maximum amount for recipients of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
Recommendation 2 – Invest in increasing coverage of the CDB by expanding eligibility beyond the Disability Tax Credit
Recommendation 3 – Exempt provincial social assistance when calculating income threshold for the CDB
Recommendation 4 – Double the income thresholds and working income exemption for “double disabled” couples receiving the CDB
Recommendation 5 – Immediately implement Employment Insurance reforms to ensure an accessible, adequate, and equitable program for workers
Recommendation 6 – Bring in a comprehensive and inclusive regularization program for all migrants
Recommendation 7 – Make relevant, needed financial investments in Indigenous communities
Read our full submission in English (PDF) here or download a Word version with minimal formatting by clicking here (note: download will start automatically).
To read this information in French or any other language, use the drop-down menu at the top of the page, select the language you prefer, and the page will be automatically translated.
You can also scroll through the submission (in English) in the embedded window below.