The Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit and barriers to labour force participation for people with episodic disabilities

This study explores policy options addressed at reforming the Canada Pension Plan Disability benefit in favour of promoting greater labour force participation of people with episodic disabilities. Because benefit eligibility requires proof of inability to work, people with residual work capacities are either denied access or have to accept the designation of being unemployable. This study combines empirical evidence, case studies and an expert interview to analyse the policy shortcomings, identify policy alternatives and measure these alternatives objectively to ultimately put forward recommendations to government. These recommendations reflect a comprehensive disability benefit plan with multiple partial categories aimed at accommodating fluctuating conditions, thereby removing workplace barriers and optimizing efficiency of program delivery