moved for leave to introduce Bill C-486, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (expenses incurred by caregivers).
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the House to introduce this bill which I personally named the Pearl Fleming bill. Pearl Fleming was a woman who weighed over 100 pounds when diagnosed with an illness. She died when she weighed well under 100 pounds.
Her husband, instead of institutionalizing his wife in her final year, brought her home and cared for her in her last year there. The expenses he incurred in terms of oxygen, new equipment, a new bed, et cetera, were not tax deductible.
This bill would enable her husband and many other people in the future to claim medical expenses incurred by caregivers for ailing family members in order to deduct them as tax deductible expenses.
I am sure, after careful consideration by every member of the House of Commons, this legislation will sweep through the country like a strong wind and receive accolades and support from all members of the government.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)