Ottawa, December 15, 2004 2004-079 Related document: Backgrounder Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale and Minister of National Revenue John McCallum today welcomed the final report of the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities, entitled Disability Tax Fairness. "The committee's recommendations will provide useful guidance to the Government on how best to make the tax system fairer for persons with disabilities and those who care for them," said Minister Goodale. "I will take the committee's advice into account while putting together the 2005 budget." "The committee's administrative recommendations will be invaluable in helping to further the Canada Revenue Agency's ongoing efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities are treated in a fair and equitable manner," said Minister McCallum. The Government of Canada established the committee in April 2003 to provide advice to the federal Ministers of Finance and National Revenue on how to address issues related to tax measures for persons with disabilities. The Government has set aside funding of $85 million per year starting in the current fiscal year to improve tax fairness for persons with disabilities. Based on an early recommendation of the committee, $15 million of this funding was allocated in Budget 2004 to the new disability supports deduction. The report is available on the committee's Web site at www.disabilitytax.ca. A backgrounder providing further information on the committee is attached. ___________________ For further information: David Gamble Public Affairs and Operations Division Department of Finance (613) 996-8080 Pat Breton Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Finance (613) 996-7861 David Hurl Press Secretary Office of the Minister of National Revenue 613) 995-2960www.cra-arc.gc.ca Backgounder The Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities was established in April 2003 with an 18-month mandate to provide advice to the federal Ministers of Finance and National Revenue on how to address issues related to tax measures for persons with disabilities. It is composed of members of organizations representing persons with disabilities, medical practitioners, and private sector tax experts. The committee's membership is as follows: Sherri Torjman (co-chair), Vice-President of the Caledon Institute of Social Policy, a national social policy research organization. Robert Brown (co-chair), tax policy and economic consultant, a former Chair of Price Waterhouse and former Clifford Clark Visiting Economist¿a key advisory position in the Department of Finance¿from 1998 to 2001. Brian J. Arnold, tax lawyer with Goodmans LLP and Professor Emeritus at the University of Western Ontario. Michael Bach, Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Community Living, a national advocacy organization for persons with intellectual disabilities. Laurie Beachell, National Coordinator, Council of Canadians with Disabilities, a national advocacy association of persons with disabilities. Harry Beatty, lawyer and consultant specializing in disability law and policy. Gail Beck, M.D., C.M., F.R.C.P.C., Director, Youth Inpatient Psychiatry of the Royal Ottawa Hospital. Gary Birch, Executive Director, Neil Squire Foundation, a national non-profit organization providing education, technology and career development for people with physical disabilities. Lembi Buchanan, public relations consultant and Chair of the Coalition for Disability Tax Credit Reform. Karen R. Cohen, Ph.D., C. Psych., Associate Executive Director and Registrar Accreditation, Canadian Psychological Association. Yude M. Henteleff, C.M., Q.C., Senior Counsel to the Winnipeg law firm Pitblado and a past President and current Honorary Solicitor of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada. Guy Lord, Senior Partner of the law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP.
