LETTER TO THE EDITOR – Canada needs to prioritize a national disability income

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/09/2021 (1876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Could you live on $6.83 an hour? That’s the reality for many people living with disabilities in Canada. As a support worker, I’ve encountered too many scenarios where people are forced to choose between buying food or paying for basic means of connecting like internet and phone services.

Everyone deserves dignity and a guaranteed income that meets all of their needs. It is my hope that with our upcoming federal election on Sept. 20, our leaders see and understand that national disability income – a predictable, guaranteed income for people with disabilities similar to Old Age Security – would help ensure some of our most vulnerable citizens can access support for both their physical needs (via food, clothing and shelter) and their equally important emotional needs by providing a means of connecting with others who can assist them in their day-to-day life.

Currently, Manitoba funds the Employment and Income Assistance Program (also referred to as EIA or welfare). People with disabilities depend on these funds for food, clothing and shelter… and the money doesn’t spread far enough.

In today’s age of technology, internet access is essential. It can simplify basic tasks like banking and grocery shopping (provided the shopper has a credit card). Those who can’t setup online accounts are left to manage errands in person and those tasks can become exponentially harder when it’s snowing outside, you have mobility issues, and need a phone to arrange transportation.

Let’s break down what this means for a Manitoban:

• A single adult with no dependents in the EIA program receives $1068 from the province and $25 from the Federal Government for a total of $1093 a month.

• A person working full-time for minimum wage ($11.95/hour) earns about $1434 a month after deductions.

The monthly difference between minimum wage and EIA is $341 , adding up to $4092 annually.

This government dictates to society that a minimum wage is the living wage and it’s also the least amount an employer will pay someone, but when it comes to our most vulnerable it’s suddenly okay to pay them less? It’s time to step up and end poverty for people with disabilities across Canada.