Spring Economic Statement: Small Steps Forward. Big Leaps Still Needed
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Ottawa, ON – Wednesday, April 29, 2026 — Tuesday’s Spring Economic Statement signals some progress on reforms to Canada’s Disability Tax Credit (DTC). However, national disability rights organization Inclusion Canada says a program widely recognized as outdated, restrictive, and difficult to access needs more substantive reform. The Statement was also silent on making any improvements in the adequacy of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB).
The DTC now serves as the gateway to the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), the Registered Disability Savings Plan, the Canada Dental Benefit and other important federal programs. Yet restrictive eligibility rules, costly medical forms and a complicated application process continue to shut too many people out. It is so cumbersome, a new report by the Canadian Tax Observatory revealed that 84 per cent of people with disabilities in Canada do not access the tax credit.
The Spring Economic Statement announced a commitment to streamline the DTC application process. It proposes to expand the list of practitioners who can certify particular types of disability and expand the list of conditions that will not require recertification every few years. These changes are helpful and welcome. However, the need still exists for significant transformation in the definition of disability. That definition is used to determine eligibility for the DTC to ensure the broadest possible access.
“We understand these are difficult economic times however, persons with disabilities have always been required to expect less, accept less and be grateful for less. This is a missed opportunity to change that narrative for Canadians with disabilities and their families,” said Krista Carr, Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Canada. “While there were certainly some positive aspects of the Spring Economic Statement, a real commitment from government to reduce the high levels of poverty experienced by persons with disabilities was notably absent.”
About 70% of adults with an intellectual disability live in poverty. Yet the Canada Disability Benefit remains capped at up to $6.66 a day or up to $200 per month—an amount that leaves people far below any poverty-line benchmark.
Inclusion Canada has called for a phased increase to make the benefit effective:
2026–27: Increase to $800 per month
2027–28: Increase to $1,100 per month
2028–29: Increase to $1,393 per month, reflecting the Guaranteed Income Supplement plus the added costs of disability
The organization is also calling for the benefit to be protected from clawbacks to provincial disability assistance and private disability insurance payments.
“Individuals with an intellectual disability across Canada are stretched to the breaking point,” said Moira Wilson, President of Inclusion Canada. “Families are increasingly concerned about the future of their children and their ability thrive and be included in the community, particularly when they are no longer around to provide support.”
Inclusion Canada is calling on the federal government to act without delay by:
Launching a comprehensive review of the Disability Tax Credit, including reforming the definition of disability used to determine eligibility, and ensuring adults with intellectual disabilities can apply for the credit with the decision-making supports of their choosing, on an equal basis with others.
Increasing the Canada Disability Benefit to a level that reduces poverty
Protecting the benefit from clawbacks
Working directly with disability organizations and families on reforms
“People with disabilities cannot continue to wait while poverty deepens and barriers remain,” added Carr. “The time for action is now”.
Inclusion Canada will be looking to the fall federal budget to deliver the substantive reforms missing from today's announcement, including a meaningful increase to the Canada Disability Benefit and a comprehensive overhaul of the DTC.
Facts:
About 27 per cent of people in Canada live with a disability. And they are more than twice as likely to live in poverty compared to those without disabilities.
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable federal tax credit that reduces the amount of income tax a person with disabilities or their supporting persons owes. It is the gateway to access other federal disability support programs like the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) and the Registered Disability Savings Program (RDSP).
About Inclusion Canada
Inclusion Canada is the national federation of 13 provincial/territorial member organizations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities 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