People with disabilities in Sudbury, Ont. say the new federal disability benefit falls short

Tuesday's federal budget included a $6.1-billion investment over six years toward a new disability benefit. But people with disabilities in Sudbury, Ont. say the money individuals can expect falls short of meeting basic needs.

About 600,000 Canadians with disabilities are expected to qualify for up to $200 a month from the benefit, starting in July 2025.

"It's a joke," said Charles Tossell, who has several disabilities, including a brain injury and diabetes, and is a longtime advocate for disabled people.

"I'm gonna say it like it is. It's a slap in the face, so to speak."

Tossell said he and other disability advocates were hoping the federal disability benefit would lift thousands of people who are disabled above the poverty line.

The Ontario Living Wage Network says to make a living wage in northern Ontario, someone needs to make at least $19.80 per hour. Working a 40-hour week that amounts to $3,168 per month before taxes. 

A person on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) can receive up to $1,308 a month for basic needs and shelter.

The advocacy group Disability Without Poverty estimates there are about 1.6 million Canadians with disabilities who live below the poverty line.

James Whyte has been a long-time member of Independent Living Sudbury-Manitoulin, a group that helps people with disabilities achieve more independence in their lives.

Whyte said he depends on a food bank at Independent Living to get by each month.

He said he would welcome an additional $200 a month from the federal disability benefit, but it would not fully address his needs.

"That would just cover maybe one week's supply of groceries," Whyte said.

Whyte said without support from his wife, who is also disabled, he would be living on the street.

Anna Larose, of Sudbury, relies on ODSP to meet her basic needs.

"If I were to have $200 extra that would probably be really good at the moment," she said.

"But it's only, like, a momentary kind of thing. And it doesn't really make a big impact."

The government has, you know, basically given us the finger.- Anna Larose

Larose said she's able to get by because she lives in subsidized housing, and only pays $135 a month in rent. But her situation also has drawbacks.

"But I'm in a really dangerous and completely drug-infested area and there's constantly overdoses," she said. "There's cops, ambulances, almost daily."

Larose said politicians need to listen to people with disabilities more so they can provide the support they need.

"The government has, you know, basically given us the finger," she said.