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Two-Thirds of RDSP Money Goes Unclaimed: How Ottawa's $70,000 Disability Benefit Actually Works

  Published August 19, 2026 Of the 311,000 active Registered Disability Savings Plans opened since the program launched in 2008, Canadians have contributed $3.3 billion — and Ottawa has matched that with $5.1 billion in grants and $2.1 billion in bonds, according to figures reported by BNN Bloomberg on Wednesday. That sounds like a program working as intended. It isn't. The same report cites the latest Statistics Canada tally showing that two-thirds of the government money set aside for the RDSP goes unclaimed every year, largely because eligible Canadians don't know the plan exists. If you or someone in your family is approved for the Disability Tax Credit, this is one of the highest-value accounts the federal government offers — richer, dollar for dollar, than the RRSP, the TFSA, or the RESP. Here's how the math actually works, and what it takes to claim your share. Who qualifies Anyone approved for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) — via CRA Form T2201, certified by a medi...
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Trudeau Unveils Renter-Focused Reforms in Anticipation of 2024 Budget

 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a series of measures aimed at supporting renters in the country. These initiatives, set to be part of the upcoming 2024 budget, address critical issues faced by tenants and aim to create a fairer rental landscape.

Key Measures:

  1. Tenant Protection Fund: The government will allocate $15 million to establish a tenant protection fund. This fund will empower provincial legal aid organizations to better safeguard renters against unfair rent increases, renovictions, and problematic landlords.

  2. Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights: Ottawa pledges to collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive renters’ bill of rights. This legislation will require landlords to provide a transparent history of apartment pricing and establish a standardized nationwide lease agreement.

  3. Inclusion of Rental History in Credit Assessment: The Canadian Mortgage Charter will be amended to incorporate rental history when assessing creditworthiness. Landlords, banks, credit bureaus, and fintech companies will be encouraged to consider tenants’ on-time rent payments.

Targeting Young Canadians:

The government’s rhetoric emphasizes appealing to younger generations, specifically millennials and Gen Z. Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland recognize the urgency of addressing housing affordability and protecting renters.

Strategic Communication:

In a departure from past practices, the government is strategically releasing budget details ahead of time. By doing so, they hope to generate more focused attention on individual measures rather than having them buried in the broader budget announcement. This approach contrasts with the days when budget contents were closely guarded secrets, even leading to criminal charges for reporting on leaks.

As the Liberal government balances competing pressures to spend and exercise fiscal restraint, the 2024 budget aims to keep the deficit below $40.1 billion while addressing critical social and economic challenges.

Stay tuned for further announcements as the government continues to unveil specific elements of the April 16 budget. Renters across Canada eagerly await these reforms, hoping for a fairer and more secure housing market.


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