Readout: Disability Advisory Committee Meeting – June 16, 2025

The Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) held its first meeting of the year, virtually, on June 16, 2025. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgment and remarks from Co-chairs Ms. Melanie Serjak (Assistant Commissioner, Assessment Benefit and Service Branch) and Dr. Jennifer Zwicker (DAC Co-Chair), along with Mr. Guillaume Parent (DAC Vice-Chair).

This meeting marked Ms. Serjak’s first as Co-chair of the DAC. Ms. Serjak highlighted the committee’s continued importance and the recent publication of the DAC’s Fifth Annual Report, with emphasis on recommendation 13 related to the CRA Accessibility Plan. She reaffirmed goals of reducing barriers, fostering collaboration, and promoting evolving accessibility.

Dr. Zwicker welcomed Ms. Serjak as co-chair and acknowledged Mr. Brendon Pooran’s and Mr. Randy Dickinson’s departures and their contributions to the DAC. She acknowledged the new Minister, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and Secretary of State, the Honourable Wayne Long, and proposed that the DAC draft a welcome letter to their office. A letter from the DAC to the Minister and Secretary of State is in progress.

Dr. Zwicker emphasized the committee’s priorities, including simplifying the disability tax credit (DTC) process, expanding the list of professionals who can complete the DTC form, and enhancing interdepartmental cooperation.

Mr. Parent gave remarks on addressing poverty, and stated that the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) could make a difference for Canadians, and stressed the need for transparent and productive collaboration. He reiterated the importance of addressing barriers to access benefits.

Ms. Serjak provided updates regarding recent federal changes and government priorities. The current platform includes plans to review the DTC application process, however, the broader fiscal context is one of restraint.

Committee members discussed systemic barriers affecting DTC uptake among Black and Indigenous communities, and the importance of ensuring benefits reach individuals rather than organizations.

The CRA presented a data analysis of DTC statistics from 2014 to 2023 and members discussed several key points.

The CRA presented their draft Accessibility Plan. Discussions highlighted the need for a clearer timeline, external vs. internal goals, and tracking of commitments. Specific barriers were raised, such as legal capacity issues when changing addresses and the need for plain language in communication. The CRA emphasized that accessibility consultations are proceeding in alignment with legislative requirements, despite the absence of a mandate letter. The CRA acknowledged the call for equity in consultation and committed to considering compensation models aligned with the Accessible Canada Act.

Ms. Serjak and Dr. Zwicker thanked members for their engagement and commitment to improving the lives of Canadians with disabilities to adjourn the meeting. The next DAC meeting is being planned for the Fall of 2025.