Northwest MP Bachrach calls out Federal Government on CERB clawbacks on the vulnerable

 

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach Bachrach is calling on the Federal government to stop making vulnerable populations pay for Government mistakes with CERB, and instead, quickly work towards implementing real supports like the Canada Disability Benefit. 

The MP took the topic to the House of Commons this week, with a Question Period presentation on 'Tuesday that highlighted concerns from a recent visit to the Hazleton area last week. 

That's where Bachrach heard a number of stories of frustration from Hazelton Community Services, a group in New Hazelton that works with adults with developmental disabilities

As Bachrach explains it, Hazelton Community Services  observed that  around half of their clients have received letters from the Canada Revenue Agency clawing back the CERB payments they received. 

Some of the letters have demanded as much as $9,000 in repayment. 

 “The Liberals know full well that people living with disabilities are struggling to make ends meet - that they’re twice as likely to be living in poverty. 

And yet instead of helping them they’re harassing them with these CERB clawback letters. For the government to try to claw-back CERB benefits from our most vulnerable residents, while refusing to provide any real support is absolutely unacceptable. 

The government gave money to people who desperately needed it, and who used it to help make ends meet. The money has been spent, and people are worried that their Child Tax Benefit and GST rebate could be in jeopardy if they fail to make the repayments the government is demanding.” 

Hazelton Community Services, the group that brought this issue to MP Bachrach’s attention, is frustrated by the government’s efforts to claw-back CERB benefits from their clients living with developmental disabilities. 

Danni Rae Mistaken Chief, Executive Assistant and Community Support Worker at Hazelton Community Services outlined how the CRA letters are impacting on the community.

 "We really want to see this matter resolved for all of our clients who struggle to make ends meet. Asking for unvetted money back from the most vulnerable community members is not only unethical but contributes to the ongoing financial stress and barriers our clients deal with on a daily basis."

You can review Bachrach's comments in the House of Commons and the reply from Minister of National Revenu Dianne Lebouthillier Below:

More notes from the MP's work in Ottawa and across the Northwest can be reviewed here.