Quebec’s disability services face severe cuts amid growing concerns

Tashi Farmilo

Quebec’s government is under fire for recent funding cuts to programs essential for people with disabilities, with advocacy groups warning of significant setbacks for inclusion and equity in the province. L’Alliance québécoise des regroupements régionaux pour l’intégration des personnes handicapées (AQRIPH), representing over 400 organisations, has called the reductions a profound betrayal of progress made in the last three decades.

Key programs have been hit hard. The Contrat d’intégration au travail, which helps people with disabilities secure and maintain employment, has seen cuts of up to 5%. The Programme d’adaptation au domicile, which funds home modifications for accessibility, has been suspended for the rest of the fiscal year. Additionally, families relying on respite care allowances will see their funding revert to 1991 levels as of April 2025.

“We are witnessing a 35-year setback in the pursuit of a more inclusive society,” said Isabelle Tremblay, Director General of AQRIPH, in a statement. “The government must halt its austerity-driven approach and reverse this attack on fundamental principles of compensation.”

The cuts come as the province faces a growing backlog of over 19,000 people waiting to access home support services, a number expected to rise. Critics argue that these measures disproportionately affect one of society’s most vulnerable populations, compounding challenges for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Sonia Bélanger, Minister Responsible for Seniors and Minister for Health, defended the government’s approach, clarifying that several of the affected programs fall outside her ministry’s jurisdiction. “The Contrat d’intégration au travail is overseen by the Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity, while the Programme d’adaptation au domicile is managed by the Société d’habitation du Québec,” Bélanger stated. She added that her ministry is working to preserve and improve home care services, including the Chèque-emploi-service. “No directive has been issued to reduce services under the Chèque-emploi-service. We have reiterated to Santé Québec the importance of maintaining these services.”

Bélanger also highlighted significant investments to strengthen home care in Quebec, with over $8 billion allocated since 2018. These funds, she noted, aim to enhance accessibility and ensure individuals can remain at home rather than moving to institutional care. “Home support services are a key pillar of our health and social services system. We remain committed to offering quality care to all Quebecers,” she said.

The government’s ongoing consultation for a new National Policy on Home Care and Support Services, set for release in December 2025, has also drawn scrutiny. Advocacy groups are alarmed by discussions about potentially revisiting a principle established in 1988: compensating individuals for their functional limitations regardless of income. Tremblay and others warn that altering this principle would erode equity and justice for people with disabilities in Quebec.

Despite Bélanger’s reassurances, scepticism remains high. Advocacy organizations and families argue that current cuts reflect a broader austerity-driven approach that risks undoing decades of progress. “These cuts aren’t just budgetary—they’re about values,” Tremblay said. “Quebec needs to decide if it will continue to support its most vulnerable citizens or turn its back on them.”

As the province moves forward with consultations, Bélanger expressed hope that the process would yield valuable insights. “We are listening to the voices of users, caregivers, and experts. This consultation is an essential step in shaping a policy that meets the needs of all Quebecers,” she said.