On February 16, 2022, Québec Ombudsperson Marie Rinfret sent a letter to the Chair of the Committee on Public Finances, Jean-François Simard, in which she commented on Bill 17, Act respecting the implementation of certain provisions of the Budget Speech of 25 March 2021 and amending other provisions. More precisely, Ms. Rinfret discussed the provisions concerning the disability pension provided for in the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan.
The Québec Ombudsperson applauds the will to better adapt the protection afforded in certain situations in the event of a disability. The proposed changes will benefit people who cannot re-enter the job market fully because of a disability. People who have reached retirement will also benefit.
However, Ms. Rinfret pointed out that certain problems will not be resolved if the Bill is passed into law in its current form. The first issue concerns disability pension recipients who have a small amount of work income. If someone in such a situation has a work accident, they could quality for an unreduced income replacement indemnity. But if this indemnity is granted, the person will no longer receive the Retraite Québec disability pension. Ms. Rinfret is worried about this situation, because the disability pension is often their main source of income.
The second problem concerns people who have had a work accident and who receive an unreduced income replacement indemnity. They would not be able to receive a disability pension from Retraite Québec. As Ms. Rinfret sees it, if these people develop a disability, they should be allowed to qualify for this financial assistance.
The Québec Ombudsperson made two recommendations aimed at rectifying these issues.
Letter by the Québec Ombudsperson concerning Bill 17 (PDF, 164 KiB, in French only)
