Evidence of meeting #6 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was million.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Brian Naish Chief Financial Officer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
There are a number of data gaps on the housing system that we're looking to address, and the increased funding is to try to address those data gaps.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Information on foreign ownership was one thing I mentioned, but there are several different data gaps.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Indeed.
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Thank you.
Last March 19, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, 300 of my constituents travelled to an information workshop about the tax credits for disabled people. In fact, I found out after the workshop that they should actually be referred to as people with functional limitations. On that day, I was sorry to learn that only 20% of the people who may be entitled to those tax credits are claiming them. Often, they have not been told that it is possible. In some cases, people are being deprived of an amount that can go up to $15,000.
I also learned something else at that workshop that was given by my colleague Peter Julian. He is actually the one who is going around communities to provide these information workshops, given that, for four years, staff in your department have no longer had the mandate to offer similar workshops to Canadians.
My questions deal with Canadian disability savings grants.
Of the 300 people directly affected by the topic presented at the workshop, only three or four knew that these grants existed. In the main estimates, the government is providing for an increase of $67.2 million for the grants, because of increased participation in the program.
I would like to know how many registered disability savings plans currently exist, how the government came to set the increase at $67.2 million and what percentage of eligible people have a registered disability savings plan.
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Income Security and Social Development Branch, Department of Employment and Social Development
Thank you for your questions.
I'll begin and then I'll let Alain jump in on spending on the Canada disability savings program.
As of December 2015—quite recent data—about 123,000 registered disability savings plans have been opened in Canada. As you know, the Canada disability savings program is quite new. It was only introduced at the very end of 2008, and although a much larger group of Canadians, as you're saying, is potentially eligible to open an RDSP, at the moment there are only 123,000.
That number actually exceeds what we had originally forecast. We are, then, getting more plans opened more quickly than we had anticipated when we set up the program. About 22% of the Canadians who are eligible to open a CDSP and RDSP have actually opened one.
I'll let Alain answer the question on the expenditures.
Chief Financial Officer, Department of Employment and Social Development
I think that Ms. McDade's answer was quite complete.
For budget purposes, the number of registrations to the program was estimated at about 99,000. Since then, that figure has increased. That gives a good indication of the increase in registrations since last year. That estimate was set in January 2015 for the current year.
We have conducted awareness campaigns in order to stimulate interest in the program, using direct mailings. As far as I know, this has resulted in an increase in applications.
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
I sincerely hope that you will contact campaigns like that again. As this affects those among the most vulnerable in our society, it is in all our interests to make them aware of the measures to which they are entitled.
Do I have time to ask a quick final question, Mr. Chair?
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Fine.
My question goes to Mr. Siddall.
I have already asked the minister some questions about the end of the agreements, which has forced people to spend a greater percentage of their income on housing. In some cases, the percentage has gone from 25% to 80%.
In the $2.3 billion announced, is money set aside for renewing agreements?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
I think your question, if I may respond, is very similar to the question I heard earlier. I hope I'm not repeating myself in saying that there's $30 million in the budget for the expiring social housing agreements that are federally administered. That exists; we think it's more than sufficient funding. I believe this is the same subject.
In addition, the provincial amounts, the amounts—
NDP
Brigitte Sansoucy NDP Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
You are saying that the amount is sufficient. However, as we know, between the end of the agreements and the time when money was allocated in the budget, there was a gap during which people saw the cost of their housing increase.
When you say that the amount in the budget is more than sufficient, are you considering that break? Was there a temporary gap in the benefits or does the amount really make up for the shortfall?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Thank you for your question.
The answer is that the amount of money we've estimated covers expiring social housing agreements over the next two years. Social housing agreements that have expired to date, which comprise about 100,000 units, have largely been covered, we believe, by provinces through investment in affordable housing.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Excellent. Thank you very much.
Now we go on to the fun stuff. We're going to go through the votes for the estimates.
CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION
Vote 1—Reimbursement under the provisions of the National Housing Act and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act..........$2,027,901,048
(Vote 1 agreed to on division)
CANADIAN CENTRE FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$3,969,600
(Vote 1 agreed to on division)
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$607,999,524
Vote 5—Grants and contributions..........$1,692,443,880
(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)
Shall I report the main estimates 2016-17 to the House?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bryan May
Thank you very much. It's been a very informative session.
The committee will stay put. We're going to recess for about five minutes to clear the room, as we have to go in camera.
Thank you to all of you for attending and to all of you in the back lending moral support. We're here every Monday and Wednesday. We love these big crowds, so please come out and feel welcome. Thank you to all of you and to all the support staff here again today. I appreciate it.
The committee will be going in camera. We'll come back in about five minutes.
[Proceedings continue in camera]
