Mr. Speaker, obviously, the answer would be yes. I will give an example.
My son is four. He has outgrown what we were using for him to get around. We have to think about applying for an adapted chair, because it is a one-time subsidy. Do we use it at age four, or age twelve? When will it be needed.
We have to ask ourselves: when is the best time to use the subsidy? The government has money, and I am in a bind, as is my child, and I have to make a choice. I ought not to even have to think about such things. There ought to be provision for it. People need money to live in dignity, whether for a prosthesis, a wheelchair, a bath, or even a special toilet seat, and all these things should be part of the refundable tax credit. Why? There is a lot of technology available now, and people must be able to live in dignity. This has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the financial state of the government or the country. Do not try to tell me it does.
I told you earlier. I took the example of National Defence, with its $4 billion budget. It would cost much less than billions to enable these people to live with dignity without tiring themselves unnecessarily. To determine whether I am entitled to a given piece of equipment, I have to read up on this program, that subsidy. Only to find out that this other program or subsidy applies.
It takes my son's mother, myself and others a lot of time to look after all that and determined which subsidy to apply for and at what level. The process could be made simpler. People with disabilities and health professionals will tell you. I am not referring to officials here, but health professionals. It is the same thing for people with mental disabilities. They need this or that. They should be able to buy what they need and get a refundable tax credit.
The figures are dramatic. As we can see, the figures available date back to 1991. It is perhaps time for new figures; we are asking for studies. Imagine, we have gone more than 11 years without up-to-date figures. It is time this government acted and asked for new figures.
In 1991, it was reported that 43% of adults with disabilities had an income under $10,000, and 26%, under $5,000. Between you and me, the refundable tax credit will not be much help to them.
In 1997, it was reported that a mere 40% of persons with disabilities in Canada indicated labour compensation as their main source of income, compared to 78% for persons without disabilities. So, to your question, I answer, yes, a refundable tax credit is necessary.