{"id":62458,"date":"2026-06-04T16:55:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T20:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/?p=62458"},"modified":"2026-06-26T17:03:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T21:03:04","slug":"case-brief-for-pre-budget-consultations-for-2026-federal-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/case-brief-for-pre-budget-consultations-for-2026-federal-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"CASE Brief for Pre-Budget Consultations for 2026 Federal Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"62458\" class=\"elementor elementor-62458\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d2a42d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d2a42d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4b4594\" data-id=\"e4b4594\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ca7629 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ca7629\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CASE Brief for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Federal Budget<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f43bea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f43bea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before the release of the 2026 Federal Budget, submissions can be made to the Government of Canada\u2019s Standing Committee on Finance (FINA). CASE is pleased to submit a brief with the following recommendations on priorities for the federal budget.<\/p><p>The theme for CASE\u2019s brief is the need for long-term, systems-level approaches to disability employment inclusion to build engaged, productive, and sustainable workforces that are essential for a resilient Canadian economy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-da9d1ad\" data-id=\"da9d1ad\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d4169c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3d4169c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"827\" src=\"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iStock-1193274791-cropped.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-62460\" alt=\"A person smiles at the camera as they work in a factory. They wear protective glasses as they stand at a terminal pushing buttons.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iStock-1193274791-cropped.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iStock-1193274791-cropped-290x300.jpg 290w, https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iStock-1193274791-cropped-768x794.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iStock-1193274791-cropped-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/iStock-1193274791-cropped-600x620.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9a8dbf2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9a8dbf2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1d526d1\" data-id=\"1d526d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6fab6b elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d6fab6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c7c1680 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c7c1680\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e5706a9\" data-id=\"e5706a9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bb3ada elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9bb3ada\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Recommendations <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c03d746 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c03d746\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Recommendation 1<\/strong>: That the government increase funding for supported employment services for persons experiencing disability that prioritizes competitive employment and entrepreneurship with success based on placement quality, sustainability, and fit rather than volume.<\/p><p><strong>Recommendation 2<\/strong>: That the government provide stable, multi-year, and flexible funding for the delivery of consistent, ongoing supported employment services that support persons experiencing disability from job searches to career advancement, investing in continuity\u00a0of support\u00a0and improved outcomes.<\/p><p><strong>Recommendation 3<\/strong>: That the government\u00a0invest in programs and initiatives\u00a0to strengthen employer engagement through education, support, and long-term relationship building for the integration of\u00a0disability\u00a0inclusive practices in workplace systems.<\/p><p><strong>Recommendation 4<\/strong>: That the government enable integrated approaches to support for persons with disabilities and facilitate coordination across systems to address barriers such as health, housing, and transportation that are closely tied to employment outcomes.<\/p><p><strong>Recommendation 5<\/strong>: That the government encourage and enable supported employment organizations, organizations that serve marginalized groups, and employers to better recognize and respond to the impacts of increased discrimination and employment barriers on job seekers and workers with disabilities and intersecting identities, including indigeneity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, education, and economic status.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cbcb94c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cbcb94c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a1754e9\" data-id=\"a1754e9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08ca209 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"08ca209\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a10f0e6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a10f0e6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-053cc31\" data-id=\"053cc31\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-592616a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"592616a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Challenges in Building an Engaged, Productive Canadian Workforce <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ce7485 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ce7485\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In its 2026 Spring Economic Update, the federal government\u2019s biggest priority is fuelling the domestic engine to \u201cbuild a stronger, more independent, more resilient economy.\u201d The government wants a \u201cCanada that is not just for some, most of the time, but for all, at all times.\u201d This year&#8217;s National AccessAbility Week theme is \u201cBuilding a Strong, Accessible Canada.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><p>A productive and engaged workforce is essential to thriving organizations in a resilient economy. However, as Canada faces an unpredictable economic outlook, employers must contend with an aging workforce (<a href=\"https:\/\/lmic-cimt.ca\/labour-market-resilience-in-the-face-of-an-aging-population\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LMIC, 2024<\/a>), difficulty finding, engaging, and keeping skilled talent, and staff burnout (Robert Half, <a href=\"https:\/\/press.roberthalf.ca\/2025-03-25-Nearly-half-of-Canadian-workers-feel-burned-out,-and-more-than-3-in-10-say-burnout-is-rising\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2025<\/a>\u00a0et<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roberthalf.com\/ca\/en\/insights\/management-tips\/how-to-overcome-hiring-challenges-in-todays-job-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a02026<\/a>).<\/p><p>Many businesses are offering more perks to attract and retain skilled talent (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roberthalf.com\/ca\/en\/insights\/management-tips\/how-to-overcome-hiring-challenges-in-todays-job-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Robert Half, 2026<\/a>), but most are not aware of the importance of integrating the principles of accessibility and inclusive practices throughout their organization, as outlined in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/employment-social-development\/programs\/accessible-canada\/act-summary.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Loi canadienne sur l'accessibilit\u00e9<\/em><\/a> and Accessibility Standards Canada\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/accessible.canada.ca\/creating-accessibility-standards\/can-asc-112024-rev-2025-employment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Employment Standard<\/a>. When workers are treated with dignity and their accommodation needs are met throughout the employment cycle, they secure and advance in employment to their benefit and that of their employers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aafa5cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aafa5cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Disability already in most workplaces <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33d6654 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33d6654\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One in five workers\u00a0(21%)\u00a0in the Canadian labour force experiences\u00a0some form of disability (<a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/t1\/tbl1\/en\/tv.action?pid=1310037701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StatCan, 2024<\/a>). Mobility and flexibility issues, pain, and mental health challenges\u2014all non-apparent\u2014are the most common disabilities (<a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/t1\/tbl1\/en\/tv.action?pid=1310037601%27\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StatCan,\u00a02024<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p><p>The labour force participation rate of individuals working post-retirement more than doubled from 6.3% in 1997 to 15% in 2023. With 2 in 5 seniors (40%) aged 65 and over in 2022 having disabilities, workplaces must adapt to an older workforce, which is to their advantage to fill gaps in skilled labour and ensure knowledge transmission (Statistics Canada, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/employment-social-development\/corporate\/disability-inclusion-business-council\/report-bridging-gap.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2024b<\/a>\u00a0et<a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/pub\/75-006-x\/2026002\/article\/00004-eng.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a02026<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p><p>Many\u00a0skilled\u00a0job seekers experiencing disability\u00a0face barriers to recruitment\u00a0and career advancement. In 2024, the employment rate in Canada was 46.4%\u00a0for persons\u00a0with\u00a0disabilities\u00a0compared to 66.2% for\u00a0people without disabilities\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/daily-quotidien\/250514\/dq250514b-eng.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StatCan, 2024<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-439a335 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"439a335\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stigma and lack of knowledge about disability and workplace inclusion <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a131c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0a131c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/signal-49-research\/\">A 2025 study<\/a> by the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) and Signal49 Research (formerly The Conference Board of Canada) found that nearly one in three organizations struggle to understand what qualifies as disability, what reasonable accommodation is, and how to create effective policies and procedures to address workplace accommodation and inclusion. Nearly one in five employers said a lack of knowledge hindered their efforts toward disability inclusion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>In a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/national-accessability-week\/\">2026\u00a0qualitative\u00a0study<\/a> by CASE and the Centre for Community-Based Research (CCBR), the President\/CEO of ECO Canada noted that employers, driven by thin profit margins, are averse to risk. A director from Tourism HR Canada emphasized that the \u201cbiggest challenge will be the mindset from the employer, from the leaders\u201d and that employer concerns around liability and workplace health and safety are often based on assumptions rather than evidence. Job seekers and workers interviewed for the study confirmed the prevalence of stigma around disability and assumptions about work they could or could not do.\u00a0<\/p><p>Many employers have told CASE or our member organizations that they would like to provide an inclusive workplace culture but do not know where to start or who to access for assistance. Of the 1.1 million Canadian businesses, 98.2% are small businesses employing 5.8 million people and contributing 33.2% to GDP (<a href=\"https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/sme-research-statistics\/en\/key-small-business-statistics\/key-small-business-statistics-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ISEDC 2025<\/a>). The majority (77%) have 1-9 employees and limited capacity for anything other than what they consider \u2018regular operations.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-937d6d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"937d6d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reduced capacity in supported employment sector <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5473c3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5473c3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Supported employment service providers offer employment supports for job seekers and workers experiencing disability and assist employers with building workplace inclusion.&nbsp;<\/p><p>Some participants in the 2026 study mentioned they did not know about supported employment, even after seeking information about employment services from government or community organizations. Participants who worked with supported employment service providers described significantly improved outcomes and recommended expanding funding and awareness of these services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>With limited resources and high performance demands, supported employment organizations may have too few human and financial resources to generate sufficient awareness of services and provide consistent, ongoing support to persons experiencing disability and employers. Ongoing support could ensure more focus on the integration of inclusion at a systems level throughout organizations, which would support all job seekers and workers.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3cbd612 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3cbd612\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd84670\" data-id=\"dd84670\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f836714 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f836714\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Despite Efforts, Inclusion Elusive for Many  <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e30276a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e30276a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many people understand that inclusive workplaces support and involve all workers and increase engagement and retention, which can improve business innovation, productivity, and resilience. So why is it still so difficult for persons experiencing disability to find work and advance in their careers? Why are so many employers still wondering what disability is, what accommodations are, and how to increase their disability confidence?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b8438c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9b8438c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Growing numbers and complex needs <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f63d597 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f63d597\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An increase in funding is needed throughout the supported employment sector to serve clients among the more than 740,000 talented job seekers in Canada with the potential to work in an inclusive labour market (<a style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/pub\/89-654-x\/89-654-x2024001-eng.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StatCan, 2024<\/a>). Demand for supported employment services has grown steadily over the years, outstripping capacity and resulting in extended waitlists across the country, particularly for people facing barriers who are furthest from the labour market.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>Many employment organizations have had increases in service requests, perhaps due to increases in the prevalence of mental health-related and other disabilities (<a href=\"https:\/\/www150.statcan.gc.ca\/n1\/daily-quotidien\/231201\/dq231201b-eng.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StatCan, 2023<\/a>). In 2015, 1 in 66 youth 5-17 years were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and many are now of working age (Health Canada, 2018). More people are facing complex barriers to employment and may require individualized employment supports that the current system is not able to provide or sustain.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-043a44a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"043a44a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Current focus on short-term and volume <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a423332 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a423332\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Supported employment initiatives are often limited by short-term funding and are compensated for volume of services rather than quality and long-term sustainability. Outcomes are measured, for instance, by number of jobs attained or number of clients served and leaving programs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>In many jurisdictions, supports for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities still favour congregated and segregated sheltered workshops that compensate workers at rates significantly below minimum wage. Alternately, support for competitive, community-based employment offers sustained economic independence and social inclusion in the community.\u00a0<\/p><p>Many job seekers, particularly those requiring intensive or customized assistance, struggle to access the support they need to obtain, retain, and advance in employment. Employers who receive assistance with one job seeker may not have systems in place for continued inclusive hiring. Community organizations who reach out to others for employment or cultural assistance may be connected by threads rather than invested, reciprocal relationships.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5361f3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5361f3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Unstable sector employment leads to loss of knowledge  <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f264861 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f264861\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For employment service organizations, short-term funding programs lead to an inability to attract and retain staff. Charity Insights Canada Project <a href=\"https:\/\/carletonu.yul1.qualtrics.com\/reports\/RC\/public\/Y2FybGV0b251LTY5ZGU4YTBjOTVmNDY0MDAwOGNjMTRhOS1VUl9iUEdpano4cUpJb09MWEw=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">research<\/a> found that personnel turnover in the non-profit sector can result in increased workloads and loss of institutional knowledge and continuity. Exhausted by job insecurity and burnout, valuable leaders and staff are retiring or seeking greater compensation elsewhere, resulting in program and organizational disruptions.\u00a0<\/p><p>Under-resourced organizations must then invest more time and funds in an ongoing cycle of recruitment, training, and transition. People consider non-profit work as a \u201cjob\u201d rather than a \u201ccareer,\u201d impeding organizations\u2019 ability to be as efficient and impactful as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-110a197 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"110a197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Patchwork rather than systems-level frameworks <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3337e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3337e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The result of the above challenges is a patchwork of programs and services benefitting a small number of job seekers and employers in the short-term, rather than systems-level frameworks for long-term outcomes that serve more job seekers, workers, and employers now and in the future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fc4a1ff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fc4a1ff\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d8fb845\" data-id=\"d8fb845\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e3082a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0e3082a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Long-Term, Systems-Level Approaches for Engaged, Sustainable Workforces <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbb60ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fbb60ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Increasing quality, sustainable employment outcomes <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec8299d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ec8299d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Supported employment service providers are driven by guiding principles that increase successful, sustainable outcomes and that could inform program measurement:\u00a0<\/p><ul><li>Persons experiencing disability are socially and economically included in their community.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Timely and appropriate employment support is provided.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>The job seeker has choice and control over employment support.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Employer and job seeker needs are considered to ensure a good fit.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Employees with and without disabilities receive the same rate of pay and benefits.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Employers and persons experiencing disability mutually benefit from partnerships and mentoring.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Long-term support provides employment stability and career enhancement.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Continuous service evaluation and implementation results in quality improvements.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9b3d45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b9b3d45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These criteria combined with sufficient skilled personnel and resources for ongoing work with job seekers and workers experiencing disability are necessary for an integrated, systems-level approach to service delivery.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>Services should be available throughout the employment cycle from job search to career advancement, because the need for support may not end once a person is hired. Lack of ongoing support can prevent career advancement and lead to frustration, performance issues, or resignation.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfe6107 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dfe6107\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Employer engagement through education, support, and relationship building  <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99837fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"99837fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While integrating inclusion throughout an organization can generate substantial benefits for workers and employers, the investment can feel risky for small businesses. Assistance and resources for employers committed to integrating inclusive practices could help alleviate the perception of risk.\u00a0<\/p><p>Ongoing, external support from local employment service providers familiar with the regional economy and workforce can significantly boost inclusion efforts of SMEs. CASE and our member organizations have found that combining evidence-based education (training\/resources), support tailored to organizations and industries, and networking activities creates safe spaces to share inclusive practices and foster disability confidence.\u00a0<\/p><p>When employers receive ongoing assistance from local employment service providers, over time they can build a welcoming workplace culture for all workers, including persons experiencing disability. A slow and steady approach often works best for busy employers and allows for reflective learning and continued improvements.\u00a0<\/p><p>Ongoing support and relationship-building activities strengthen trust. In the CASE\/CCBR study, the President\/CEO of ECO Canada stated that maintaining employer trust is essential, because once employers disengage, \u201cthey\u2019re hard to get back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f74a550 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f74a550\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Expanding and strengthening community systems <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9627bfc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9627bfc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The challenges people face can be complex, and employment service providers must consider other barriers such as health, housing, and transportation as directly impacting employment outcomes. Service providers must have the flexibility to coordinate integrated, wrap-around approaches to employment across systems to address multiple, interconnected barriers.\u00a0<\/p><p>The development of systems-level frameworks among community organizations and government services could ensure more timely and consistent responses to clients\u2019 needs and more efficient use of organizations\u2019 resources.\u00a0<\/p><p>Similarly, persons experiencing disability with intersecting identities \u2014 such as indigeneity, race, gender, sexual orientation, and age \u2014 can face additional barriers, stigma, and discrimination during recruitment and at work. Learning to recognize and respond to discrimination and developing connections for reciprocal support would allow employment organizations, organizations serving marginalized groups, and employers to ensure all job seekers and workers have what they need to succeed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f812a2f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f812a2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eba85cf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eba85cf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4f01d2\" data-id=\"e4f01d2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3298116 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3298116\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Association canadienne de soutien \u00e0 l\u2019emploi <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98ae932 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"98ae932\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) is a national association that facilitates opportunities for community-based employment service providers, employers, industry groups, community partners, and interest holders to increase employment inclusion in Canada for persons experiencing disability.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>All persons experiencing disability should have equal opportunity to secure, sustain, and advance in purposeful, fairly compensated employment.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CASE Brief for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2026 Federal Budget Before the release of the 2026 Federal Budget, submissions can be made to the Government of Canada\u2019s Standing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":269,"featured_media":62460,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[46,53,381,50,338,470,469,382,327,468],"class_list":["post-62458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-accessibility","tag-canada","tag-canadian-association-for-supported-employment","tag-disability","tag-employment","tag-federal-budget","tag-fina","tag-inclusion","tag-inclusive","tag-workforce"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/269"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.supportedemployment.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}