It’s almost 2020 and Canada still does not have a National Disability Strategy. Why? When? How? Do we get such a program into Canada as soon as possible.

Right now it looks like the majority of the Provinces based Disability Programs are running around 50% under the poverty line and it’s just beyond unacceptable. How can someone survive at 50% under the Poverty Line especially with a disability?

Using Ontario for an Example your Shelter amount is just under $500 a month. So if you just hit 18 and have to move out on your own or if your 55 and been living at the same place for the past 30 years it’s just not enough to live off. Show me where someone can live a comfortable life at $500 a month in Ontario let alone Toronto. Hint it’s not suitable for someone to be stuck with roommates till they die…. That should be your younger days period and even then those with disabilities might need more privacy to begin with. Imagine being stuck with a disability where you have bowl issues, chronic pain, living in a Basement with 3 other people of both sex’s and having an embarrassing problems and then someone like a PSW coming to this place and helping you shower in such an environment… Beyond Disgusting.

Another thing I hear a lot is people asking the Government to try living like someone on Disability, etc for 30 days and call it the 30 day Challenge. Sorry, but that is not how that works at all. Try the 30 year challenge instead. Just imagine the conditions above on top of the worst foods for your body over a 30 year period. People actually end up with other disabilities because of the conditions their forced to endure. Then factor the types of disabilities someone might have like movement, pain, etc. There is so many other costs on top of that.

This is why universal basic income (UBI ) programs out there are suggesting a minimal of 25% increase to those with Disabilities. So that idea is you are on the Poverty Line and then those with disabilities get a bit more because of many factors in their life tends to make their costs of living more expensive because of their needs and requirements.

We have very few programs to help those with Disabilities and most of them are at the child level and tax paying level (the Rich). You have special programs for Children with Autism who are under funded. You have a Caregiver Tax Break for the Rich… Yes I said the rich, how the heck can someone be a full time caregiver and be bring in a big enough Income to use an almost $7000 Tax Break that is dedicated just for Caregivers… I guess those who are legitimately Caregivers can’t commit fraud and claim such a bonus. There is also money for Kids with Disabilities and it’s Doubling and on top of that there is just money for having kids. I understand helping mothers and families and how Canada must have children and have immigration to strength our economy in the long run… But why do you keep forgetting about Disabled people?

The list goes on and on and it’s just beyond crazy. Why are “people” with Disabilities treated inhumanely? Why is there such a gap on age or wealth when it comes to helping those with Disabilities. It makes no sense that we literally give breaks to those who have money and can afford to live way higher then the Poverty Line, but the second they are poor and don’t have money we throw them under the bus.

What is Worse is that both the Conservatives and Liberals on the Provincial level in Ontario have done nothing to better Disabilities when it comes to their Income. After Mike Harris Butchered the system and the Liberals took over for almost 15 years they had let $300 a Month vanish from Inflation. Yes $300 from inflation. Now that the Conservatives are in Power they are letting inflation eat away at it even faster then before and the Federal government has not done a thing to help out and yet they can start a program tomorrow if they wanted to.

The news should start reporting not what percent people get that year but the actual amount they will gain or lose based on inflation. So if the government gives 1.5% and inflation is 3.0% it should be reported that the government that year is removing 1.5% and then people will start realizing how crazy things are really getting.

It’s time for a change and I don’t think it should be tomorrow or even next year, but right now! There is enough delays on this and it’s been happening far too long. We are tired of our Government abusing those with Disabilities promising changes if you elect them, etc. Just do it and make the change and give people with disabilities some dignity now and not tomorrow.