Thread by @sunnshiiny

@LandryLes

This is what I’ve found so far.

But there are other funds that could be inclusive of disabled community.

budget.gc.ca/2021/pdf/budge…

Bear in mind, as indicated in the proposed budget, benefits for the disabled are a provincial responsibility as designated in the constitution. Technically, the federal government can offer employment or tax benefits, not social supports.

Which, if you look at what’s offered in the budget, is consistent with the constitutional purview for federal & provincial roles.

Additionally, as PMJT stated on @ryanjespersen Real Talk, Pharmacare is not included in this budget due to the economy being the immediate priority.

The size (amount) of the budget is large, but not excessive. The federal government needs time and willing partners to negotiate participation in provincial responsibility. While rebuilding the economy.

Building the economy would give the 6 conservative premiers (AB,SK,MB,ON,QC,NB) their own increased budgets to enter negotiations with funds to participate.

So there does seem to be a strategy by addressing the national economy first.

Many may assume UBI is not included either, but the proposed action to begin discussions about a disability benefit qualifies as a partial attempt to expand and define a UBI benefit.

By creating a federal disability benefit, the money would either supplement a provincial benefit or replace it altogether.

Assuming responsibility for social supports would require provincial approval.

I haven’t read through enough of the budget to confirm one way or another, but LTC is another provincial responsibility, also impacting the disabled community, that is scheduled for federal-provincial negotiations.

So you can observe those with disabilities and more intensive medical needs are a priority listed in this budget. A UBI would include funds for all the expenses required to adequately support those with higher needs, including residential, medical and daily living expenses.

It’s also the disabled who a universal UBI may not adequately cover. So it’s being negotiated separately from a standard UBI. Not only are the disabled susceptible to poverty, their expenses are generally higher than the able bodied.

Another budget proposal impacting the disabled community is the effort to improve accessibility. Funds are dedicated to accommodate all abilities nationally.

The budget is a gigantic document. What I’m noticing is LPC is taking this opportunity to restore many of the programs & services that were cut by past governing parties. Including Chrétien and Martin Liberals.

Personally I appreciate this effort. While the budget cannot give every person everything they need or want, it can, and I believe it is, attempting to restore many of the democratic institutions that were fully or partially dismantled in the past. And strategically add new ones.

I don’t think this budget is meant as a pre-election budget, but it is meant to partially restore effective, stable, institutional funding to strengthen democracy.

It’s our institutions that protect us.

Political strategy can be discerned by reviewing the entire document. I’d encourage you to read the document in entirety. It will provide a much better understanding than a summary.

And since the fed NDP have already stated publicly they will vote to approve the budget, they must have helped develop some of the strategy.