November 9, 2026
TORONTO – March of Dimes Canada (MODC) recognizes the federal government’s Budget 2026: Masters of Our Destiny and its commitment to helping make life more affordable for people across Canada.
As a national service provider and ally working alongside people with disabilities to remove barriers, build belonging and create a more inclusive Canada, we note measures on affordability, housing and access to federal benefits that could help some people with disabilities, caregivers and families.
But for the more than eight million people in Canada with disabilities, many of whom rely upon federal disability supports, this budget falls short.
People with disabilities are 50 per cent more likely to live in poverty and twice as likely to experience food insecurity. People with disabilities in Canada have been calling on the federal government to increase the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) and make substantial progress toward modernizing the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
In late October, more than 150 organizations, including MODC, called on the federal government to fix how people with disabilities access the federal supports they’re entitled to.
Today, only 14.6 per cent of people with disabilities claim the DTC, which acts as a gateway to the CDB and 16 other federal programs. We urge the government to act on these recommendations without delay and we’re ready to work with together to make sure no one is left behind.
We look forward to hearing more from the government, community partners, and people with disabilities on ways we can implement measures that reduce disability poverty and support independence and autonomy for people with disabilities across Canada.
Canada Caregiver Credit
One in four people in Canada is a caregiver, providing vital support to people with disabilities, older adults, and many others. While caregiving is essential, it often comes with significant financial hardship.
We welcome the government's decision to convert the Canada Caregiver Credit (CCC) from a non-refundable tax credit into a refundable, tax-free benefit of $1,260 per eligible caregiver starting in 2027. This measure recognizes the value of unpaid caregiving and will help ease the financial pressures faced by caregivers across the country. More than 500,000 caregivers are expected to claim the credit, lifting an estimated 15,000 people out of poverty.
Improving access to benefits and supports
Budget 2026 includes several measures to improve access to federal benefits and supports for people with disabilities, including:
- Enhancing the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit with a 50 per cent top-up in early 2027.
- Expanding the Build Canada Workers Benefit, including changes that would improve access to the disability supplement for low-income workers with disabilities.
- Simplifying access to the Medical Expense Tax Credit by reducing documentation requirements and making it easier to claim eligible disability-related expenses.
- Permanently allowing qualifying family members to open a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) for certain adults who do not have a legal representative.
- Simplifying the Home Accessibility Tax Credit by introducing a flat-rate claim option.
MODC welcomes these measures and the government's continued efforts to make federal benefits and supports more accessible.
Expanding affordable housing
Budget 2026 builds on previous government commitments to housing, including new investments aimed at reducing homelessness, expanding supportive, community, and affordable housing, and increasing housing supply. Key measures include:
- New investments in supportive and transitional housing, helping more people move from homelessness into stable housing with access to wraparound supports.
- Creation of an Integrated Supports Fund to support housing models that combine housing with health and social services.
- A 10-year renewal of the Canada Housing Benefit, providing direct rental assistance to low-income Canadians.
- Significant new funding for Build Canada Homes to accelerate the development of non-market housing across Canada.
MODC encourages the federal government to work with provinces, territories, municipalities, the housing sector, and the disability community to ensure that new housing is designed to be inclusive, accessible, and adaptable from the outset, and that operational funding for supportive housing services is available for those who need it across the country.
We welcome the government's recognition that safe, affordable housing is foundational to full participation in community life. These investments have the potential to improve housing stability and expand housing options for many people with disabilities and their families.
PSW Tax Credit: reminder
We welcomed the creation of the Personal Support Worker (PSW) Tax Credit included in Budget 2025. This temporary measure, in place from 2026 to 2030, provides a refundable tax credit of up to $1,100 annually and recognizes the essential role PSWs play in enabling independence and dignity for people with disabilities in Canada.
As the tax credit comes into effect for the 2026 tax year, we encourage eligible PSWs to learn more about the benefit and claim it when filing their taxes this upcoming tax season.
Conclusion
Budget 2026 includes important measures for people with disabilities, families, and caregivers across Canada. We’re encouraged by the government's focus on affordability and efforts to strengthen supports for caregivers while improving access to benefits and expand affordable, accessible housing.
While much remains to be done to address the barriers and inequities experienced by people with disabilities, we welcome the opportunity to work with the federal government, community partners, and people with disabilities to make housing more accessible, life more affordable, and Canada more inclusive.
