![A man wearing a blue suit with a white shirt and pink tie, holding a microphone in one hand and a banner reading "Accelerez la #PCPHdlci2023". He is standing on the stone pathway leading to Parliament Hill and the Centre Block is visible in the background of the image, as is the boards that have been put up to black the view of the building while construction is being undertaken..](https://frequencynews-wpoffloadmedia.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/27160636/Mike-at-Canada-Disability-Benefit-rally-on-the-Hill-June-2023-md-1024x950.jpg)
Locally initiated petition calls for federal government to refine the Canada Disability Benefit
On June 21st, petition e-4993, initiated by Waterloo Regional Councillor Chantal Huinink and authorized by MP Mike Morrice (MP – Kitchener Centre), closed with 3219 signatures.
The petition asks the government to revisit the terms of the Canada Disability Benefit, and give increased support to more people in a less bureaucratic manner. While MPs have left Ottawa for the summer, the petition will be presented once the House of Commons resumes activities in September.
In the 2024 budget, the federal government announced the benefit which would be a payment of $200 per month, restricted to those who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit. Payouts are to start in July of 2025.
This show features interviews with Waterloo Regional Councilor Chantal Huinink and Kitchener Centre Green Party MP Mike Morrice, responding to the implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit and discussing petition e-4993.
Liberal MP Marc Serré (Nickel Belt) provided a short statement to CKMS News regarding the Canada Disability Benefit.