Media Release- Building a Strong Canada Must Include People with an Intellectual Disability
Inclusion Canada comments on Federal Budget 2026-27
OTTAWA, November 6, 2026 — Inclusion Canada welcomes several measures in the 2026 federal budget that will help people with disabilities and their families manage rising living costs. However, the organization is disappointed that the budget fails to deliver meaningful improvements to the Canada Disability Benefit and other critical supports needed to reduce disability poverty.
“Budget 2026 includes some positive steps that will make a difference for people with disabilities and their families,” said Krista Carr, Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Canada. “But building a stronger Canada means ensuring everyone has the income, supports and opportunities they need to participate fully in their communities. On that measure, this budget falls short.”
Inclusion Canada is encouraged by several affordability initiatives for individuals and families, including:
• Canada Caregiver Credit: Makes the credit fully refundable, providing up to $1,260 annually to eligible caregivers, including those with little or no taxable income.
• Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit: Enhancing financial support to help low and modest-income Canadians manage the rising costs of groceries and everyday necessities. Total support increased to $1,290 for singles and up to $2,570 for families.
• Build Canada Workers Benefit: Increasing financial support for low-income workers and families. Increased to $1,859 for singles and $3,143 for families.
Inclusion Canada also supports the proposal to make permanent the qualifying-family-member provision for Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs), allowing eligible family members, including siblings, to help individuals open an RDSP without requiring a court-appointed guardian.
For other federal programs, people with an intellectual disability still face barriers when they need support from someone they trust. Some families are directed toward guardianship, which removes a person’s legal right to make decisions. Inclusion Canada called for a consistent trusted supporter designation across all federal programs, without court orders, capacity tests or loss of legal rights.
Canada Disability Benefit remains inadequate
Despite these positive measures, Budget 2026 provides no increase to the Canada Disability Benefit, which remains at a maximum of $204.20 per month — less than $7 a day.
Inclusion Canada has called for a phased increase to $800 per month by 2027–28 and $1,393 by 2029–30, alongside reforms to expand eligibility.
“We appreciate that starting in 2027, a parent who supports an adult son or daughter may receive up to $1,260 a year from a refundable tax credit,” said Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. “But that does not change the fact that their adult son or daughter may receive no more than $204.20 a month from the Canada Disability Benefit. Families need support, and people with an intellectual disability need an income they can live on.”
Barriers to federal disability benefits remain
The budget confirms previously announced changes to simplify Disability Tax Credit (DTC) applications for some conditions, including Down syndrome. While welcome, these changes do not address the larger problem: DTC certification remains a requirement for accessing the Canada Disability Benefit, RDSPs and other federal programs.
Just 1 in 7 people with disabilities claim the DTC, according to Statistics Canada data.
Inclusion Canada continues to call for fundamental reform, including recognizing disability eligibility already established through provincial and territorial programs and creating pathways to federal benefits that do not depend on DTC certification.
Budget 2026 makes a commitment to continued tax reform. Inclusion Canada urges the Government of Canada to get started on the work of real transformation of the DTC and broader reform to accessing federal disability benefits.
Inclusive employment needs long-term investment
Inclusion Canada is appreciative of the $6.9 million commitment to extend Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) until March 31, 2028. Delivered jointly with Autism Alliance of Canada, RWA has facilitated more than 6,500 jobs for people with an intellectual disability or autism.
However, the one-year extension falls short of the five-year, $50 million investment requested by both organizations and leaves uncertainty about the program's future.
The House of Commons Finance Committee recommended funding to “continue and sustain” the program. Funding levels committed in budget 2026 remain the same as five years ago. Costs to operate this successful program have increased substantially. While the organizations are grateful for another year of funding, reductions to current operations will be required to continue the current program at this funding level.
“We're glad the government has recognized what Ready, Willing and Able delivers for job seekers and employers,” said Carr. “One year keeps the program going. However, employers and job seekers need to know it will still be there after March 2028.”
Housing investments must advance inclusion
Budget 2026 proposes $11.2 billion over four years, starting in 2027–28, toward its goal of ending homelessness within 10 years. It sets no safeguard however, to ensure this funding does not go to fund congregate and segregated housing. Inclusion Canada believes that people with an intellectual disability have a fundamental right to live fully in community in inclusive, dispersed, affordable housing, as article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets out.
Inclusion Canada is urging the federal government to ensure that new housing investments support inclusive, affordable, accessible homes in the community, rather than institutional or segregated settings. People with an intellectual disability must have the same rights as others to choose where and with whom they live.
“Canada has made important commitments to disability inclusion and poverty reduction,” said Carr. “We need those commitments reflected in meaningful action. Increasing the Canada Disability Benefit, transforming access to federal disability supports and securing the future of inclusive employment would be important steps toward a stronger Canada that includes everyone.”
About Inclusion Canada
Inclusion Canada is a national federation of 13 provincial and territorial members and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with an intellectual disability and their families. Inclusion Canada drives social change by strengthening families, defending rights, and transforming communities into places where everyone belongs.
Media contact
Andrew Holland
Director of Communications and Marketing
506 259-1635
