For several years, in Australia, there has been the Disability Support Pension. It’s a concept comparable to what Canada wants to put in place in 2024. Let’s compare them.
For who?
In Australia: 3.7% of the population was a beneficiary in 2022,
In Canada: scenarios dictate that between 0.69% and 3.4% of Canadians are eligible.
Then, how much?
Australians with disabilities can count on a minimum income equivalent to the poverty line +8.8%.
In Canada, the Parliamentary Budget Director provides for minimum revenues ranging from
1. Worst scenario: the average poverty line (MPC) at
2. Best scenario: GPA+30%
Finally, how much could it cost the public purse?
First of all, you should know that all of Australia’s income support spending (all levels combined), in 2021-22, was equivalent to 11.7% of their GDP. In Canada, it was 10.1%. This is below the average investment in developed OECD countries, around 12%.
Canadian scenarios currently provide for an additional investment of $2 to $20 billion, or 0.09% to 0.91% of our GDP, in income support.
Because this discussion is important, I am pleased to invite you on December 19, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. EST. I will present my vision of what this measure could look like, which would have the potential to significantly reduce poverty in the country.
To register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5a14cff1-1dfb-4fc6-9114-e39b5f3d6910@a4c259a1-3c95-48f7-8601-922688970cd8