The alarming report from the Library of Parliament shows that federal and provincial taxes combined with various benefit clawbacks make many working disabled taxpayers worse off for working longer hours, getting raises or in some cases even working in the first place.
It’s an issue that disability advocates have long known about, but this marks the first time it’s been formally tabulated by the government.
“I think this starts to quantify why people with disabilities are staying on the sidelines,” notes Rich Donovan, CEO of The Return on Disability Group. “I think there are some real structural issues in economics that cause this dislocation.”
These problems result in troubling trends such as high school guidance counsellors recommending students with disabilities go on social assistance as opposed to seeking employment. Donovan, a former portfolio manager with Merrill Lynch who has cerebral palsy, had just such an experience as a teen.