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“It’s incredibly important,” she said. “While it may not seem like a large amount, every incremental increase makes a significant increase to people with disabilities. We face constant pressures every single day and expenses a number of people wouldn’t possibility comprehend. So every little bit goes a long way.”

The NDP government did increase welfare and disability rates by $100 per month in June 2017 — one of the first acts by Premier John Horgan and Simpson upon forming government. The disability rate is now $1,133 per month, and the income assistance rate $710, although advocates have said both rates need to increase dramatically to compensate for the rising price of housing.

“We’re pleased with the recent increase to the person with disability payment, but we’d like to see continued movement on that as well,” said Vrionis. “People with disabilities are often living in poverty. We’d like to see that payment indexed to inflation.”

Simpson said B.C. is also waiting to see new federal legislation on access and inclusion. Meanwhile, the province will release a report in June on what it heard during public consultation on a poverty reduction strategy, and then both the legislation and plan will be released this fall, he said.

The MS Society also had several other requests for government, including the creation of new disabilities legislation to reduce accessibility barriers, as well as implementing age-appropriate practices for MS home and community care that recognize the disease can affect both the young and old. The society also called on Health Minister Adrian Dix to ensure timely access to all Health Canada-approved MS therapies through B.C.’s Pharmacare system.

rshaw@postmedia.com

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