As expected, today’s federal budget included a large focus on new housing under the Build Canada Homes project. With over 700,000 tradespeople expected to retire by 2028, a critical question arises: who will build these homes? Canada has an untapped labour pool - more than 855,000 people with disabilities who could work but are not currently employed. Engaging this talent is essential to closing workforce gaps, particularly in the skilled trades.

CCRW calls on the federal government to ensure the $25 billion investment over the next 5 years is inclusive by design. This means building infrastructure and training systems that actively support workers with disabilities through such measures as:

• Allocating funding for workplace accommodations
• Reserving training spots specifically for workers with disabilities
• Implementing programs that equip managers to hire and advance workers with disabilities confidently
• Reviewing and adapting Red Seal Trade exams to ensure accessibility
• Funding community organizations that have demonstrated successful, impactful outcomes to support people with disabilities who are transitioning into work

• Publish a plan for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) outlining a clear timeline for a fully funded and adequate benefit.
• Broaden CDB eligibility beyond the Disability Tax Credit through co-design with disability-led organizations.
• Ensure provincial and territorial governments do not claw back the CDB by reducing provincial and territorial disability benefits, so people receive the full value of the CDB.
• Embed measurable accessibility requirements across all major federal investments.
• Clarify the impact of ESDC program reductions and consult disability-led organizations consistent with CRPD Article 4.3, and advance Articles 12 and 19 by protecting legal capacity and funding community-based supports.

We applaud the government’s commitment to preparing workers and industries for future opportunities. That commitment must prioritize building an inclusive workforce. Reskilling packages should incorporate accommodations and flexibility to enable innovative workers with disabilities to thrive. Expanding the skilled construction workforce must be designed to include workers with disabilities as contributors to a Canada Strong economy.

International trade strategies must also adopt an inclusive by design approach. Both the G-7 and the APEC employment working groups have identified employment for people with disabilities and disabled workers as a priority. Canada can lead globally by ensuring that training programs reflect our diversity – where 27% of Canadians identify as having a disability.

In fact, any mention of skilled workers and investment in these programs must set the workers with disabilities as a key priority within funding initiatives.

Lastly, CCRW is deeply concerned about the following excerpt from the budget:

“ESDC will shift funding away from programs where there is reduced or limited need. To ensure funding goes to programs with the greatest impact, ESDC will decrease funding to underperforming programs and those with limited effectiveness and overlap with other federal initiatives.”

Programs such as the Opportunities Fund and the Social Development and Partnerships Program – disability (SDPP-d) are housed within ESDC. While their outcomes may differ from other programs, their impact is profound.

We implore ESDC to remain vigilant and maintain funding for these initiatives, which are critical for advancing employment for people with disabilities.