Issue
Disability & Senior Care
Canada Disability Benefit Act (Bill C-22 of 44-1, royal assent June 22, 2023, S.C. 2023, c. 17) created the legislative framework; first payments began July 2025 at a maximum of $200 per month, with disability advocates criticizing the amount as inadequate. Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) operate under the Old Age Security Act; Bill C-12 of 44-1 (S.C. 2022, c. 1) excluded CERB and CRB from the GIS-eligibility calculation; Bill C-319 (NDP PMB) sought a 10% OAS increase for seniors aged 65 to 74. Long-term care reform: the 2021 federal Safe Long-Term Care Act (proposed but not enacted by the 43-2 NDP-Liberal partnership) was a response to the COVID-era LTC mortality crisis; Bill C-295 (PMB, 44-1) added Criminal Code offences for neglect of vulnerable adults in LTC settings. Federal-provincial coordination on dementia care, palliative care, and home care remains uneven.
Where parties stand
Compare side-by-side- Bloc QuébécoisBLOC
The Bloc Québécois has demanded an increase in federal Old Age Security for seniors aged 65 to 74 to match the 10-percent boost that 75-plus recipients received in 2022 (Bill C-12 of 44-1), is pushing for a Canada Disability Benefit higher than the $200-per-month threshold the Liberals announced for 2025, and insists that all senior-care funding flow as unconditional transfers respecting Quebec's exclusive jurisdiction over health.
Source - Conservative Party of CanadaCONSERVATIVE
The federal Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre voted in favour of the Canada Disability Benefit Act (Bill C-22 of 44-1, S.C. 2023, c. 17, royal assent June 22, 2023) but has criticized the federal Liberal-NDP delivery of the benefit at $200 per month as inadequate, having promised in opposition to deliver a higher benefit. Supports expanded Old Age Security for seniors 65 to 74 to match the 10-percent boost that 75-plus recipients received in 2022 (Bill C-12 of 44-1, S.C. 2022, c. 5), the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) bonus expansion, and faster Veterans Affairs disability-claim processing (the AG's 2022 Report 2 found 47-week average vs 16-week target).
Source The federal Green Party calls for the Canada Disability Benefit to be increased from the current $200 per month to $2,400 per year (approximately $200 per month, matching the platform commitment from 2021 but higher in practice would be $4,200 per year to match the federal poverty line LIM-AT). Supports OAS expansion for 65 to 74 to match the 2022 boost (Bill C-12, S.C. 2022, c. 5), federal funding parity for long-term-care facilities tied to public-administration standards under a National Standards Act, expansion of the Veterans Independence Program for aging-at-home, and the Federal Dental Care Plan expansion beyond the current 70-percent coverage cap. Maintains the federal Charter protection of disability as section 15 protected ground.
Source- Liberal Party of CanadaLIBERAL
Implementing the Canada Disability Benefit ($200/month from 2025, with formal review at year three for adequacy). Defends OAS indexation and the 10% boost for 75+. Continued long-term care minimum-standards negotiations with provinces.
Source The federal NDP under Jagmeet Singh secured the Canada Disability Benefit Act (Bill C-22 of 44-1, S.C. 2023, c. 17) as a deliverable of the Liberal-NDP Supply and Confidence Agreement but the $200-per-month initial delivery falls short of the NDP's $2,400-per-year (approximately $200 per month) commitment from the 2021 election platform versus a higher target of $4,200 to match the federal poverty line. Calls for expansion of OAS for 65 to 74 to match the 2022 boost (Bill C-12, S.C. 2022, c. 5), federal funding for long-term-care facilities tied to public-administration standards under a National Standards Act, and the Canadian Dental Care Plan expansion beyond the current 70-percent coverage cap.
Source
Bills affecting this issue
- C-263Federal45-1Second reading
An Act to establish a national framework for silver alerts
National framework for silver alerts (vulnerable older adults).
- S-201Federal45-1Second reading
An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease
National framework on sickle cell disease (Senate).
- S-234Federal45-1In committee
An Act respecting a national framework for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
National framework on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
- C-422Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada Disability Benefit Act
Expands the Canada Disability Benefit amount and broadens eligibility.
- C-418Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (accessibility and other measures)
Improves EI accessibility for workers with disabilities.
- S-288Federal44-1Second reading
An Act respecting Inherited Blood Disorders Awareness Day
Inherited Blood Disorders Awareness Day (haemophilia, sickle cell, thalassemia).
- S-280Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting a national framework on sickle cell disease
National framework on sickle cell disease.
- C-319Federal44-1Third reading
An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (amount of full pension)
OAS 10% boost for seniors 65-74, matching what 75+ already get. Closes the seniors-benefits equity gap.
- C-22Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act
Creates the framework for the Canada Disability Benefit (the actual benefit amount, $200 per month maximum, was set in 2024 regulations).
- S-253Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting a national framework for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
National framework on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
- S-203Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder
Federal framework on autism spectrum disorder.
- C-39Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)
MAID-track-2 expansion for mental illness has been postponed multiple times. Disability advocates have been split.
- C-272Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting the development of a national employment strategy for persons with disabilities
National employment strategy for persons with disabilities.
- C-7-43Federal43-2Royal assent
Medical Assistance in Dying (mental illness eligibility) Act (43-2)
MAID mental-illness expansion. Disability advocates have been divided on safeguards.