The MP for Port Moody–Coquitlam now has a fourth bill before the House of Commons.
On Monday, Dec. 2, NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo presented C-422, an amendment to the Canada Disability Benefit Act, which she says would end the “cruel and callous” clawbacks for married people who are disabled.
Zarrillo, the federal orange party’s critic for Disability and Inclusion, said her bill protects people who receive the Canada Disability Benefit from penalties based on household income and martial status.
“People with disabilities, like all Canadians, should be entitled to enter into a relationship, or leave a relationship, or take on a roommate without losing their income — especially since rent and housing costs are so high,” Zarrillo said in a news release.
“The current system doesn’t allow for that. It punishes any person with a disability who chooses to live with someone. It’s cruel and callous. Everyone deserves to make life choices without fear of losing their disability benefits.”
At the start of each parliamentary sitting, MPs can have their names in a lottery for a chance to introduce one private member's bill.
Liberal MP Ron McKinnon (Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam) said he supports people with disabilities and he looks forward to the debate on Zarrillo’s bill “if she chooses to move this legislation forward.”
Besides C-422, Zarrillo is also sponsoring three other bills during the 44th parliament:
- C-415 Flight Attendants’ Remuneration Act
- an Act to amend the Canada Labour Code for flight attendants
- C-360 Wasted Food Reduction and Recovery Act
- an Act to establish a national strategy to reduce the amount of wasted food in Canada
- C-304 National Food Waste Awareness Day Act
- an Act to establish National Food Waste Awareness Day
All four bills have received first reading in the House of Commons.
📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in the Tri-Cities? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected].
📲 Want to stay updated on Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
💬 Words missing in an article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
