| | | | | occupation.” |
| The Canada Pension (Disability) Plan (CPP) was | | | | CPP is a partnership program that involves the |
| established in 1966 as a social insurance plan that | | | | provincial and federal governments. Under CPP |
| provides retirement income to Canadians, financial | | | | legislation, major changes to the law must be |
| assistance for workers with disabilities and for the | | | | approved by the House of Commons and at least |
| families of deceased contributors. A “social | | | | two-thirds of the provinces with two-thirds of the |
| insurance program” makes benefits contingent | | | | Canadian population. |
| upon a record of contribution and on the occurrence | | | | Consumers are expressing concern about the CPP |
| of a foreseen life transition such as unemployment, | | | | requirement that recipients be "incapable of regularly |
| retirement, injury, disability or widowhood. | | | | pursuing any substantially gainful occupation." This |
| Canadians who work pay into CPP from the age of | | | | requirement is a powerful disincentive to activities such |
| 18 to 70; this is called the “contributory period.” | | | | as education, rehabilitation and volunteering. Fearful that |
| For CPP disability benefits, contributions must have | | | | their benefits will be cut off, recipients forego different |
| been made in four of the last six years; this is called | | | | types of important activities. CCD (Council of |
| the “recency requirement.” | | | | Canadians with Disabilities) will make elected officials |
| CPP defines disability as being a condition that is | | | | aware of the negative impact of this disincentive and |
| prolonged and severe, making a person “incapable | | | | the need for reform. |
| of regularly pursing any substantially gainful | | | | |
