Mr. Speaker, petitioners raise an issue of equity and dignity, as well as of basic autonomy, for people with disabilities and their families.
The RDSP is meant to secure a person's long-term financial future, yet petitioners raise that the current rules create unnecessary barriers that prevent many people from even opening a plan. When qualifying members lose their ability to act after 2026, and when only a narrow set of relatives are permitted, people will be left without support and could be forced into costly and intrusive legal processes that undermine their rights and independence.
Petitioners calls on Parliament to extend and expand access so trusted supporters chosen by the individual can assist without delay, and to ensure that these practices are consistent across Canada.
At its core, the petition, initiated by Amy Ross and Sue Simpson from the riding of Waterloo, is about respecting people's self-determination and ensuring that no one is denied financial security because of outdated rules.