Thank you, Dave.
My son Jake has lived with this disease since age 16. He's now 25. His current employment has zero benefits, and those benefits he was receiving previously through the Ontario government ended on his 25th birthday. This leaves him struggling to pay thousands of dollars for his next insulin pump, plus thousands more every year for insulin, for test strips, for pump supplies and for CGM sensors, not to mention the time and the cost of transportation to and from medical appointments.
It's heartbreaking to have your child tell you he's not eating properly and is limited in his ability to participate in sports and social activities because he can't afford to replace his costly supplies, or to hear that he's no longer replacing his glucagon, a hormone used by diabetics in an emergency to counter a severe low blood sugar event. Perhaps worst of all, I know he's rationing his insulin and pump supplies, and I'm afraid on a daily basis for his life and his long-term health care.
As a parent, I find it absolutely appalling that essential drugs and medical supplies are not covered 100%. Until such time as they are, the disability tax credit is at least some help for those who manage to qualify. I'd ask you to recommend to Canada's Minister of Finance that the DTC be fixed once and for all so that all Canadians with type 1 diabetes qualify. Please let them live a life that's fair and just, without penalty for a disease that they did not choose.
I'd like to thank JDRF and Dave for their work, and thank the committee for hearing our testimony. You'll find more information in JDRF's written pre-budget submission. We hope you'll consider our recommendations in your deliberations and final report. Thank you.