Working-age Canadians with disabilities live in poverty
Nov. 16, 2023
Global Korean Post
According to the most recent Canadian Survey on Disability (2017), nearly 917,000 working-age Canadians with disabilities (23%) live in poverty.
Persons with severe disabilities (28%) and very severe disabilities (34%) are particularly vulnerable and experience a high rate of poverty.
The same survey found that Canadians with disabilities—including women, men, 2SLGBTQI+ people, racialized people, and Indigenous people—are more likely to be financially insecure than other Canadians.
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- 25% of Canadians with disabilities spend more than 30% of their total household income on shelter costs.
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- 59% of Canadians with disabilities aged 25 to 64 have employment, compared to 80% of Canadians without disabilities.
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- Canadians with disabilities aged 25 to 64 earn less than Canadians without disabilities (12% less for Canadians with milder disabilities and 51% less for Canadians with more severe disabilities).
In the true spirit of “Nothing About Us, Without Us”, all Canadians, especially individuals with disabilities, their caregivers and family members, as well as stakeholders and organizations dedicated to working with persons with disabilities, are invited to participate and share their views.
Building a more inclusive Canada will ensure that persons with disabilities can participate fully, helping communities to thrive and helping the economy to grow. As it designs the new Canada Disability Benefit, the Government of Canada is taking another historic step forward to support the financial security of working-age Canadians with disabilities.
The Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool can be accessed through the Canada.ca website until December 21, 2023. There will also be additional opportunities to provide input after the formal publication of the draft regulations, which is expected to take place sometime in 2024.
