Provincial budget 2024-2025: a disappointingly consistent budget
March 12, 2024
Budget at a glance
The 2024-2025 budget is a natural continuation of what the government has done in recent years. The government’s priorities are health and education, with the objective of strengthening the quality of public services.
Despite a record deficit (around $11 billion) and an increase in health and education budgets, no major change has been announced. This is essentially a budget that mirrors what the government has been doing since it was re-elected.
Unfortunately, this budget will not meet the needs and priorities of the intellectual disability community. Individuals and families will get no more help immediately or in the long term, whether in terms of housing, financial security or inclusive employment.
DI-TSA budget – Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
The budget for intellectual disabilities and autism ill increase by 5.11% in 2024-2025, for a total of $1,452,313,500. This is a relatively standard increase.
There are no specific details or announcements related to the specific budget for intellectual disabilities and autism for the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.
Elimination of the Quebec Pension Plan disability penalty
Quebec Pension Plan beneficiaries with disabilities will now be able to receive their full pension at age 65. These people were penalized when they retired before the age of 65.
For several years, disability groups have been advocating this change. The issue is also before the tribunals.
The government has just announced that it will change the rule and give the full pension to the people concerned starting in January 2025.
The budget according to the priorities of the members and the requests formulated in the pre-budget brief
Housing
The government aims to subsidize the construction of 4,757 new housing units for the year 2024-2025.
However, there is no indication that any of the units will be reserved for people with intellectual disabilities, or for people with disabilities in general.
Inclusive Employment
No measures have been announced in relation to inclusive employment for persons with intellectual disabilities or persons with disabilities in general.
Update on the National Strategy for the Integration and Retention of the Handicapped
No measures have been announced to update the National Strategy for the Integration and Retention of the Handicapped.
The new strategy was due to be announced in 2023-2024. The absence of measures and references to the Strategy raises important questions.
Active Social Role
No significant measures have been announced to improve social participation and enable people with intellectual disabilities to play an active social role.
Poverty and social exclusion reduction plan
The budget does not include a specific plan to combat poverty and promote social inclusion.
However, a total of approximately $784M is announced to implement “measures that will strengthen the fight against poverty or promote social and professional inclusion.” These measures concern several spheres of importance to people with intellectual disabilities and their families, including food aid, adapted transportation, changes to allowable work income under the Social Assistance and Social Solidarity Programs, and other targeted measures.
Unfortunately, these measures are far from sufficient to really help people living in poverty. More details to come when the future anti-poverty plan will be unveiled.
Modernization of the Individual and Family Assistance Act
No announcement was made regarding the update to the Individual and Family Assistance Act.
However, the government has announced that recipients of Social Assistance and Social Solidarity programs will be able to keep 10% of their work income in excess of the $200 limit (equivalent to a 90% gross reduction rate on all work income in excess of the allowable limit). This measure falls far short of what other provinces are doing.
Disability groups have been calling for a change in the way work income is treated in the Social Assistance and Social Solidarity Programs, so that people receiving benefits can work part-time without penalty.
Other important programs and measures for persons with disabilities and their families
Here are a few other important programs for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, along with the funding allocated in the budget:
Measure |
Credits 2023-2024 |
Budget 2024-2025 |
Difference % |
Office des personnes handicapées du Québec |
17 654 200 $
|
18 507 000$ |
+4,83% |
Home care and services (Services et soins à domicile) |
2 353 469 000 $ |
2 553 501 400 $ |
+8,50% |
Support for caregivers |
122 341 200 $ |
139 181 800 $ |
+13,77% |
Fighting abuse (Lutte à la maltraitance) |
27 700 300$ |
27 882 100 $ |
+0,66% |
Social Assistance, Social Solidarity and Basic Income Programs |
3 329 660 500$ |
3 486 659 800 $ |
+4,72% |
Non-profit and other organizations (PSOC) |
1 071 786 700$ |
1 110 759 400$ |
+3,64% |
Beyond the budget, mobilizing
The 2024-2025 provincial budget is well aligned with the government’s slogan: ” continuons “. The Quebec Intellectual Disability Society will therefore also have to carry on its actions and representations to defend the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
To this end, we will be mobilizing as early as this spring, focusing on housing issues. Keep an eye on the Society’s website for upcoming developments.
If you have any questions about the 2024-2025 provincial budget, contact Samuel Ragot at [email protected] or Jean-François Rancourt at [email protected].