April 2024

Inclusion Matters

April 2024

Canada Disability Benefit Update: Federal Budget 2024


Last week, the Federal government released Budget 2024. To the shock and dismay of the disability community, the government underdelivered on the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). Committing to only a maximum benefit of $200/month, or just $6/day. It also chose to administer eligibility for the CDB through the hard-to-access Disability Tax Credit (DTC) process.


The benefit is significantly underfunded, woefully inadequate, and largely inaccessible to people with disabilities living in poverty.


The government must fix the benefit. Commitments in the Budget are not set in stone, and there is still an opportunity for the federal government to make good on its promise to the disability community and create a benefit that will lift people out of poverty.


Inclusion Canada and the National Disability Network Coalition issued a media release detailing profound disappointment and the steps that must be taken to fix this problem.


Inclusion Canada also issued a media release, which is available in both languages:


Click here for the English version. >


Cliquez ici pour la version française. >


While we work with our disability allies to create an advocacy strategy, we encourage you to write to your MP and express your frustration with the benefit. The more we talk about the issues, the more likely the government is to address them.


Find your MP here. >


Click below to access a template letter you can use and adapt to send to your MP:


English Letter. >


Lettre française. >



Employment & People with Intellectual Disabilities


People with disabilities are underemployed in Canada. With only 1 in 4 people with intellectual disabilities employed, poverty and income insecurity are pervasive problems.


In this op-ed, Inclusion Canada Board President, Moira Wilson, discusses the importance of better utilizing this untapped labour market and how initiatives like Ready, Willing and Able can support employers in building inclusive workplaces for people with intellectual disabilities.


Read the full op-ed here. >

National Volunteer Week


From April 14-20, Inclusion Canada expressed its appreciation to all our volunteers across the country during National Volunteer Week.


Our work would not be possible without our dedicated volunteer Board members, committee participants, advisors, and so many others. Their tireless commitment to building an inclusive Canada keeps our work progressing.


Thank you to all of the volunteers working to transform communities, defend rights, and strengthen families across this country. Thank you for "making it matter"!


Watch our thank you from Krista here. >

Inclusion Canada in Action


  • From April 14-15, Inclusion Canada Executive Vice President, Kirsta Carr, and Executive Director of Knowledge Mobilization & Transformation, Jeff Ferguson, attended Inclusion Alberta's Family Conference. The conference brought together over 700 individuals with disabilities, family members, self advocates, allies, and supporters to learn from keynote speakers and other experienced families.



  • During the Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, Krista Carr was awarded the Bruce Uditsky Leadership Award. It is the most prestigious award offered by Inclusion Alberta and recognizes individuals or organizations who demonstrate leadership abilities in advancing the full inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. Krista is the first person from outside of Alberta to win the award.

Krista Carr pictured with Bruce Uditsky after receiving

the Bruce Uditsky Leadership Award

  • From April 19-21, the Inclusion Canada Board and senior Federation leadership met in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for our April Board & President/ED Meetings. Attendees discussed the Canada Disability Benefit, operational updates, and planning for our upcoming three-year strategic plan.

Attendees of our April Federation meetings in Halifax, NS

People First of Canada Roadshow


From April 24 - June 5, People First of Canada will be travelling across the country, hosting a series of information sessions. These sessions will provide attendees with information about People First of Canada and how to become a member in your community.


The information sessions will be taking place at the following locations and times:


  • April 24 – Fredericton, NB
  • April 25 – Saint John, NB
  • May 7 – Peterbourough, ON
  • May 8 – Kitchener, ON
  • May 9 – Toronto, ON
  • May 13 – Lacombe, AB
  • May 14 – Calgary, AB
  • May 15 – Lethbridge, AB
  • May 27-29 – Iqaluit, NU
  • June 3 – St. John’s, NL
  • June 4 – Carbonear, NL
  • June 5 – Gander, NL


As a proud partner of People First of Canada, we encourage you to attend a local information session if you have the opportunity.


Click here to learn more. >

Family Leadership Series Blog


Inclusion Canada is developing and delivering a new Family Leadership & Movement Development Series. It will enable families to better pursue an inclusive life, and teach them how to contribute to and take action within the inclusion movement to realize a just, inclusive and welcoming Canada.  


In this blog post, we explain how the series came about and provide information on our pilot in New Brunswick by detailing the experience of some of the families and individuals who participated. We look forward to expanding this series across our federation. Stay tuned for more developments as the Series is expanded and rolled out.


The blog can accessed below in both English and French:


English version here. >

Version française ici. >

Inclusion Canada in the News

True North Quadriplegic man chose assisted suicide after hospital stay ended with bed sores

TVO Ontario 'Aspirations are not going to lift people out of poverty': Ontario disability advocates react to the federal budget

Global News "A real letdown': Disabled B.C. man reacts to federal disability benefit

City News Ottawa Radio Jeff Ferguson on Now You Know with Rob Snow

Globe & Mail Canada's underwhelming Disability Benefit is a sign of a government out of ideas

Toronto Star 'The hill to die on': Force the Trudeau liberals to increase their disability benefit, advocates tell NDP


Upcoming Dates & Events

May - Community Living Month (Ontario)

May 6-12 - CMHA Mental Health Week

May 12 - Mother's Day

May 15 - International Day of Families

May 16 - Global AccessAbility Awareness Day

May 20 - Victoria Day (Inclusion Canada offices closed)

May 28-June 3 - National AccessAbility Week

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