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DisAbility
Federal
Budget: Welcome News For Canadians With Disabilities: The First Investment
In A Decade
Council
of Canadians with Disabilities
March
23, 2004
Today’s Federal
Budget made a down payment on what the Council
of Canadians with Disabilities hopes will be a first step
toward developing a long term action plan. This Budget did four things
for Canadians with disabilities:
- it provided
a modest investment ($30 million) to address the employment supports
and training needs of people with disabilities.
- it made Canada
Special Opportunities Grants for students with disabilities non
taxable thus ensuring the principle that support for disability
accommodation is not treated as income.
- it created
a new Disability Expenses Deduction for employment and education
disability related expenses thus reducing taxable income for people
with disabilities.
- expanded the
tax credit for those who are providing care for individuals with
disabilities.
“While these
are modest improvements, they are improvements. These actions coupled
with the Throne Speech commitment give our community reason to hope,”
said Marie White Chairperson of CCD. “This is the first real
investment in disability supports for almost a decade,” said
White. “We now seek the development of a 10 year plan to address
the substantive disadvantage faced by Canadians with disabilities.
The Action Plan must be developed jointly by governments and community
and particular emphasis must be paid to Aboriginals with disabilities,
youth and those who still reside in institutions,” said White.
“The Prime
Minister has signaled his interest and support in addressing disability
issues. Minister of Social Development Liza Frulla in a recent meeting
indicated her strong support for the collaborative development of
an action plan that takes into account the roles of federal and provincial
governments and the views of people with disabilities,” said
Laurie Beachell, National Coordinator of CCD.
Prime Minister
Martin stated in the Throne Speech, “We want a Canada in which
citizens with disabilities have the opportunity to contribute to and
benefit from Canada’s prosperity – as learners, workers,
volunteers, and family members.” “We are trusting the Government
of Canada to live up to what it said it will do,” said Beachell.
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For More Information
Contact:
Marie White, National
Chairperson
Ph. 709-739-8233
Laurie Beachell,
National Coordinator
Ph. 204-947-0303
Source: Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) www.ccdonline.ca
Federal Budget - Budget Plan re Persons with Disabilities
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