Minister Khera defends Canada Disability Benefit amid criticism [Video]

Amid significant criticism from advocates, Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Minister Kamal Khera is defending her government’s long-promised, newly unveiled Canada Disability Benefit, calling the funds an “initial step,” but without laying out a timeline for future expansion of the program.

In an interview on CTV’s Question Period airing Sunday, Khera insisted to host Vassy Kapelos it’s important to “recognize” the significance of her government creating a national benefit for persons with disabilities in the first place.

“We recognize there’s more to do,” she said. “This is an initial step that we’ve put forward, and absolutely, we are committed to doing more.”

The federal government revealed details of the benefit in its latest budget last month, after promising the program nearly four years ago and pitching it as a tool to lift persons with disabilities out of poverty, akin to the Guaranteed Income Supplement for seniors.

But earmarked in …