Human Resources committee  Let's get a plan. Let's develop something together that lays out a course of action over the next five years that engages the disability community, federal government, provincial governments, and employers. I think the panel report opens that door that says this is good for business, and that we should be doing this.

Human Resources committee  Sadly many within our community look forward to turning 65 because they will get a better income benefit than they have had all their life living on social assistance. Canada has done a good job. There's more to be done to address the poverty of seniors. We have not done a substantive job to address the poverty of Canadians with disabilities.

Human Resources committee  When it comes to Canada pension plan disability benefits, there have been some significant improvements over the years. Right now you can earn money. You can retain benefits. We have changed eligibility. If you made contributions for 25 years, you can get benefits. There are small incremental changes.

Human Resources committee  Just quickly, Boeing, the banks, and a number of other institutions have done so, but they have been large employers that actually have long-term employment opportunities and benefit packages. It is a real challenge in a smaller business, where there is no benefit package that covers some drug costs or dental costs, or other kinds of things, and that's the nature of the labour force.

Human Resources committee  Canada did ratify the convention, and did rather quickly do so. We do not as yet have the Government of Canada's first report to the United Nations. Having signed, they are obligated within two years to provide that report. We're still awaiting that. Our disappointment here is that we do not have two things.

Human Resources committee  Interestingly, some years ago—and as I mentioned, I've been in this business for a while—when we talked about accommodation, we talked about it with an affirmative action component as well. It was not simply offsetting and covering the additional cost of disability, but we had some years ago affirmative action programs that were paying more than simply the cost of disability.

Human Resources committee  I'll start, if I can.

Human Resources committee  Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to be here. We're pleased to see a parliamentary committee taking an extended focus on disability issues, particularly on employment issues. We were here for the last hour's presentation and conversation, so some of the questions that were raised I think we will also attempt to address.

Human Resources committee  Because we moved our celebration back, we are more flexible now. We were going to start the celebration at 5:15 p.m., but there's a vote in the House, so we are more flexible, if that is of value to you.

Human Resources committee  This is the hugely challenging question in this current environment. I'd say to you that the reason our community celebrates the convention is that it was supported by all governments. The federal government and all provincial and territorial governments have said this is the vision for people with disabilities.

Human Resources committee  The registered disability savings plan is a great program and an important one. I was one of the three appointed by Minister Flaherty to help create the program. It has come from a variety of sources. It is a very good program that will assist families—as you described your family—I hope, in many ways, and will assist over a long-term period.

Human Resources committee  We just spent our day with a variety of other communities looking at international instruments and how they can help move and advance domestic agendas. It is truly a challenging discussion, so our comments on this are still somewhat preliminary. We have wondered whether we need a standing committee on the status of persons with disabilities.

Human Resources committee  First, on that issue of people with disabilities who are age 18 to 25--a critical point in people's lives--often services provided for children are more robust than they are for people with disabilities turning adult age. That is that critical transition time when people experiment with living on their own, get post-secondary education, and enter the labour market.

Human Resources committee  Good afternoon. While we've had great discussions all day long with a variety of people around the convention, and we know of the ongoing work of your committee, we want to remind you of some of our key issue areas that relate to your study on poverty. Very briefly, I'm sure these are not unknown to you.