Supporting Canadians with Disabilities

 

  • Our Government recognizes the challenges facing individuals with disabilities and their families.

 

  • We also recognize the contributions that persons with disabilities can and do make to the economy, and that employment provides all individuals with a sense of dignity and independence.

 

  • Economic Action Plan 2015 builds on the strong legacy left behind by the late Jim Flaherty with measures such as:

 

  • Introducing a New Home Accessibility Tax Credit for persons with disabilities to facilitate healthy, and accessible homes.

 

  • Creating a Working Group Tasked with Developing a National Autism Action Plan by providing $2 million to Health Canada.

 

  • Extending the Temporary Measure that Allows a Qualifying Family Member to Become a Plan Holder of a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) in order to ensure that all Canadians have access to this landmark savings vehicle.

 

  • Facilitating Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled by acceding to the Marrakesh Treaty.

 

  • These actions build on our Government strong legacy of supporting individuals with disabilities and their families, including:

 

  • Introducing the landmark Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) which helps parents and grandparents of children with severe disabilities contribute to their child’s financial security.

 

  • Investing $218 million per year for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities to assist provinces in improving the employment situation of Canadians with disabilities.

 

  • Investing $30M annually in the Opportunities Fund to help persons with disabilities prepare for and obtain employment.

 

  • Supporting caregivers and recognizing their enormous contribution through tax incentives.

 

  • Providing $15M over three years to the Ready, Willing & Able initiative of the Canadian Association for Community Living to connect persons with development disabilities with jobs.

 

  • Investing $11.4M over four years to support the expansion of vocational training programs for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

 

  • Removing the GST / HST on more health care products and services, including acupuncture and naturopathic services, eyewear specially designed to electronically enhance the vision of individuals with vision impairment, and special training to help individuals cope with the effects of a disorder or disability.

 

  • Expanding tax relief under the Medical Expense Tax Credit, including costs associated with service animals trained to help people with diabetes (i.e. diabetes alert dogs) and specialized therapy plans to help individuals cope with the effects of a disorder or disability.