Many more people living with MS and other episodic disabilities and neurological conditions could remain at or return to work if greater assistance were provided. The result would be the retention of experienced employees and less cost to society as a whole.
In my own case, I was diagnosed in 1996 with primary progressive multiple sclerosis while working as a manager with Bell Canada. My director was very understanding and accommodated my needs by allowing me to telework one day a week. In 2002 my MS had progressed and my neurologist suggested I no longer work. Because of my 25 years of service, I qualified for short-term disability for one year at full salary, and then I went on long-term disability. I now receive two-thirds of my salary as a combination of CPP, disability benefits, and employer-paid disability benefits.
Leaving the workforce was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Giving up a fulfilling career in my prime resulted in a period of depression and the need to reinvent myself. This I was able to do through my volunteer work with the MS Society.
I'm quite aware that my scenario is the exception and not the rule for many people living with MS who do not have the benefit of income security. The MS Society believes it is important to tackle the issue in two ways.
First, for people living with MS and other neurological conditions who can no longer work, there is an urgent need to develop a basic income plan for Canadians with severe disabilities. The Caledon Institute of Social Policy has done some excellent work on an innovative approach involving federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
We realize this could take time to put in place, and therefore we suggest there are some relatively easy steps that can be taken right now. These include making employment insurance sickness benefits more flexible, so people who do some work while in the midst of a relapse could choose to work part-time and receive partial benefits.
Currently individuals who qualify for EI sickness benefits receive them for 15 weeks, which equals 75 days. By allowing people to receive benefits for 150 half-days instead of 75 days, people with MS or other conditions would be able to maintain a strong attachment to their jobs and receive adequate income even when they take time off. Employers would pay a lower salary during the benefit period but still retain the services of an experienced employee. There would be no additional cost to EI.
The MS Society also recommends making existing tax credits—such as the disability tax credit, the caregiver tax credit, and the new family caregiver tax credit—refundable. This would put money in the pockets of low-income Canadians.
We are very grateful to the government for the creation of the family caregiver tax credit, since it recognizes the vital contribution spouses make as caregivers. It would be even more valuable as a refundable credit.
Madam Chair and committee members, as a person with MS, I can assure you we want to work. We want to do our part in contributing to Canada. We just need some assistance to help us do just that.
I'd now like to turn the presentation over to Deanna Groetzinger.