Disability Advisory Committee holds first meeting

January 24, 2018             Ottawa, Ontario            Canada Revenue Agency

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of supporting persons with disabilities and their family members by ensuring they have access to all the tax measures to which they are entitled. To that end, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is committed to administering measures for persons with disabilities in a fair, transparent, and accessible way. The CRA also remains committed to improving its administrative practices, and enhancing its services and the delivery of credits and benefits for persons with disabilities.

Today the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, attended the first meeting of the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC), which was reinstated in November 2017.

Minister Lebouthillier took this opportunity to highlight the expertise of the Committee members and reaffirm the importance of taking a fair and inclusive approach to ensure all persons with disabilities are considered when putting forward their recommendations.  For their part, the members of the DAC discussed their mandate and objectives as well as best practices for engaging with persons with disabilities, medical practitioners, and other key stakeholders. The Committee also discussed current legislation and CRA administrative practices.

Going forward, the DAC will advise the CRA on how tax measures can better support the needs and expectations of persons living with disabilities, review and provide feedback on the CRA’s administrative practices, and make recommendations about how the CRA can enhance the quality of the services it provides to persons with disabilities.  Enhancing the accessibility of the CRA’s services to persons with disabilities is an ongoing effort, which will be greatly assisted by the Committee’s work.

Quote

“Our government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians receive the credits and benefits to which they are entitled. The first meeting of the Disability Advisory Committee is an important step in meeting this commitment. The expertise of the Committee’s members will help the Agency better serve Canadians living with a disability. I look forward to seeing the recommendations brought forward by the Committee.”

- The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue

Quick Facts

• The Committee will advise the Minister of National Revenue and the Commissioner of the CRA on the needs and expectations of persons with disabilities as they relate to the administration and interpretation of laws and programs administered by the CRA.
• The Committee will be meeting three times per year.  The frequency of meetings will be periodically re-examined to ensure best use of Committee members’ time.
• The Committee is co-chaired by Frank Vermaeten, CRA Assistant Commissioner, and by Dr. Karen R. Cohen, CEO of the Canadian Psychological Association. The Committee also includes 12 other voluntary members including people with disabilities, qualified health practitioners, advocates from the disability and Indigenous communities, and professionals from a variety of fields, such as tax professionals and lawyers.

Associated Links

• Disability Advisory Committee Webpage
• Disability Tax Credit at a glance
• Minister Lebouthillier remarks: first meeting of the Disability Advisory Committee
• Minister Lebouthillier works to improve services for Canadians with disabilities, announces Disability Advisory Committee membership
• Minister Lebouthillier announces Disability Advisory Committee

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Contacts

John Power
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960

Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-948-8366