When a question like that comes up—providing more services with less money and not raising taxes—then we start talking about efficiency and effectiveness and those types of things.
I will tell you that out of all the years I've worked in the disability community, I have never heard anyone say that they want to see anyone with a disability go without services. They would actually pay more in taxes to make sure that does not happen.
I also want to say that in Alberta our income support program, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, is a very good program. Between 1992 and 2003, there were hardly any raises; inflation went up over 25%, and our AISH program went up about 6%. People were getting further and further behind, but in the last five years the provincial government has given a raise to people on AISH, and it has helped out considerably.
Sometimes it's those extra supports around it, such as subsidized housing or accessible and adaptable housing—things such as that, and access to education—that can make the difference.
I've given a couple of ideas here. One is what we're calling a Federal Disability Act, something that would be a good thing to do. Another is to work along with our national group, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, on this national action plan on disabilities.
There are a few other things. A few years ago we were talking about a federal home care program and we had given a lot of recommendations for that, but nothing ever came of it. Our organization has recently done a project on respite care for family caregivers. I'm bringing something up here at the last minute, but this is extremely important, because this project was for unpaid family caregivers looking after family members with disabilities, in their own home. It is a tremendous savings to the health care system, if those people can be supported. I have a full report on this that I'd be more than willing to pass on to you.
So I have made some suggestions about what the federal government could do to help people with disabilities.