Evidence of meeting #79 for Finance in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was need.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Rajotte
That's right.
We will go to Ms. McLeod for the final round, please.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Thank you, Chair.
I would like to start with Mr. Dolan. Just for my information, is there anyone who qualifies for Canada Pension Plan disability and doesn't qualify for RDSP, or vice versa? I can certainly appreciate having two separate application processes, the doctor time, I can imagine the processing time.... That makes imminent sense. Are there different qualification criteria?
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
There aren't. The criteria are somewhat similar, but it's the process of having to go through two processes. Some doctors do charge for the additional paperwork. You are talking about people who probably do not have a strong income at the time, having to apply for and pay for two separate systems. The way I look at it is if one has some type of permanent disability, chances are it doesn't usually change. Having to go through both processes is sometimes burdensome and expensive.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
So does it matter if it's...?
If you apply for CPPD, you're saying automatically register for RDSP. Is that...?
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
No, the disability tax credit is the one I was talking about in terms of registering under both.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Oh, sorry. Yes.
Today, of course, we introduced the budget implementation act, which is making some very important changes. Those are changes that you're all very supportive of in terms of the disability savings programs that were introduced in the budget. Of course, today they were introduced to actually turn them into law in the House today. These are changes in terms of the flexibility. That's for the RDSP.
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Yes. I was really happy to hear Mr. Flaherty this morning speaking about that. For persons with disabilities, whether they are employed or not employed, that program has been excellent.
There need to be some changes in regard to persons with intellectual disabilities, and I'm hoping in today's budget that will be included as well. But I haven't seen Mr. Flaherty's full statement.
October 18th, 2012 / 4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Those changes, though, that are part of the budget implementation act—you were aware of them back in March, and you're pleased to see that they will turn into law today, or as we go through the process.
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Yes, we are, actually. I would doubt that any persons with disabilities or their families would see anything wrong with the program. The program has been a good program.
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
We as an organization are sometimes inclined to complain about government, and we're inclined to kick government at all times, but this is a good program. We have told Mr. Flaherty that on several occasions.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
So I hope we have great support when we go to support the budget implementation act.
NDP
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Oh, we'll have other things to say.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Actually, one thing I did note from your brief, and thought was an interesting point, was that you said some provinces claw back the RDSP and some don't.
How many claw it back? What's happening there? Because that is a bit of an issue.
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Ms. McLeod, no, it was....
When we had talked to Mr. Flaherty, we had spoken about making the disability tax credit refundable. He said, you know, I'll think about it, but I don't want the provinces grabbing back at it, because it would have been of no benefit to someone very poor who was getting the disability tax credit and then the province, because the person was on a social assistance program and eligible for provincial social services, just grabbing it back as part of their income.
That is the point that was made.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
So if a family diligently saves through the RDSP, I think the three different lingoes are that the provinces...or some provinces, when a child, or parent, or whoever it might be is accessing those funds from the RDSP, will claw that back and some will not.
Is that what...or am I inaccurate there?
National Chairperson, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
No, I'm unaware of that. I was mostly speaking to the disability tax credit, making that refundable and having the provinces not take it back. That's the point I was making on that one.
Conservative
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
Just quickly, Mr. Knight, you said that we have enough people, but we don't have the skill set. With the baby boomers going...does it really match, if we train properly? A quick yes or no, I guess, if—
President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Canadian Community Colleges
My point is that we have large numbers of people who don't have the skills that are suited to employment. I mentioned different categories. If we were able to bring a large percentage of those groups into the skills they needed for employment, our problem would go away.
