A first step on the part of my campaign manager, Laurel Smyth, was to secure a space to serve as our Campaign Headquarters. We envisioned a user-friendly, airy, plant-filled space that would double as a Drop-In Centre to encourage voters to stop in and learn about the Green Party's platforms and philosophy. We were delighted to find such a space at 206 Grafton Street. Being fully cognizant of the need for wheelchair accessibility, Laurel was certain that this location at street-level would pose no barrier for persons in wheelchairs. To ensure accessibility, she picked up from Canda MacNeill at your office a copy of the specs for ramps. We were dismayed to discover that the outward-opening door and two posts framing the doorstep made full accessibility impossible without renovations on the entryway; this is not an option for a 5-week rental. Regretfully, we have posted a notice on our door which states:

"We apologize to our friends in WHEELCHAIRS that it is not possible to make this entry to our temporary headquarters accessible.

Your visit is important to us!

Will you accept assistance up the stairs?"

We also have provided an outdoor picnic table at which we could sit to chat with those who choose not to be assisted inside. Other than that, we enquire of organizers of debates etc. that invite the public as to whether they have made their space accessible.

It is a fundamental tenet of the Liberal Party that Canadians with disabilities must have the same kinds of opportunities and advantages as all other citizens. Although we as Canadians have made great strides in this area, we recognized the need to go further.

I support and commends this approach. My campaign office is fully wheelchair accessible, with parking located directly in front of the entrance. My constituent office is accessible via an elevator.

I am committed to continuing to help break down the barriers that prevent certain groups from reaching their full potential. To that extent, I would be more than willing to assist any person in any manner possible who requires assistance to cast their vote in the upcoming federal election. There is information on hand at the campaign office to assist those with disabilities. For those who are unable to access the services at the campaign office, information may be gathered from the campaign website, or arrangements may be made to meet at convenient location.

I welcome the opportunity to work with and for all Canadians, and to assist all Canadians to reach their full potential.

The Liberal government envisions a Canada in which citizens with disabilities have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from Canada’s prosperity - as learners, workers, and as member of families and communities.

The Liberal government views the greater inclusion of Canadians with disabilities as a national priority, and Budget 2004 confirms this. We’re making a number of investments to ensure Canadians with disabilities are able to take advantage of all our country has to offer. Greater inclusion contributes not only to the well-being of persons with disabilities themselves, but also to the life and economy of the country through the contributions they make as they learn, work and volunteer.

Budget 2004 lays the groundwork for the federal government to work with provinces and territories, communities and employers to increase support for workplace integration of Canadians with disabilities.

The budget provides increased funding of $30 million annually in 2004-05 and subsequent fiscal years for the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (previously known as the Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities program). This is in addition to the $193 million that the federal government already contributes annually. This initiative supports the employment assistance programming for persons with disabilities that is delivered by provincial and territorial governments. Budget 2004 will bring total support under the Multilateral Framework to $223 million annually.

Furthermore, the government will also make sure that, as that nation’s largest employer, its policies do more to promote the hiring and retention of Canadians with disabilities. It also intends to encourage similar action on the part of private sector employers in the federally regulated sector.

We know that we need reliable and current information in order to identify and address the needs for better workplace integration. This is why Budget 2004 provides funding to enable a second Participation and Activity Limitation Survey to be conducted as part of the next census in 2006. We’ll take the information we learn from this survey and ensure that it becomes easier and easier for Canadians with disabilities to participate in the workforce.

Shelter is a basic human need and the foundation upon which healthy, secure, socially inclusive communities are built. Adequate housing also fosters stability in all aspects of life, particularly in school and work performance. The greater inclusion of Canadians with disabilities requires a commitment to providing adequate and affordable housing for Islanders with disabilities.

A Liberal government will continue to contribute to solutions for social and affordable housing in Canada, including support to keep housing in repair through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) and the introduction of a National Home Care Program, laying the foundations for full inclusion of appropriate home care services in our public health system, allowing more Canadians to continue to live in their homes, despite disabilities they may encounter.

The goal of the Liberal Party is a Canada of strong social foundations where people are treated with dignity, where they are given a hand when needed, where no one is left behind and where Canadians - families and communities - are given the tools to find local solutions for local problems.

Building a Canada where all citizens have equal opportunities to contribute and benefit from prosperity is a priority for the Liberal Party. We are committed to working with all Canadians to help expand and strengthen our social foundations in order to allow everyone, regardless of their situation, develop to their full potential.

Improving Tax Fairness

Budget 2004 demonstrates the Liberal Party’s commitment to improving tax fairness for persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

In recent years, a number of tax measures have been enhanced to recognize that persons with disabilities and those who care for them face extra costs that reduce their ability to pay tax. In fact, since 1996, tax relief for these individuals has more than doubled from $600 million to upwards of $1.2 billion annually.

In the 2003 budget, the Liberal Party established the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities to advise the Minister of Finance and the Minister of National Revenue on tax issues affecting the disabled community. This committee, which is made up of members of organizations representing persons with disabilities, medical practitioners, and private sector tax experts, is scheduled to report in the fall of 2004.

Better Tax Recognition of Disability Supports Expenses

Budget 2004 acts on an early proposal by the Technical Advisory Committee to provide greater tax relief for those who incur disability support expenses, such as sign language interpreters or talking textbooks.

Currently, these supports are recognized under the medical expense tax credit. The budget proposes to create a new deduction for the disability supports, which will allow these expenses to be deducted from income if they are incurred for education or employment purposes.

This measure will be effective as of the 2004 taxation year. It will cost an estimated $15 million annually, and will be funded from amounts set aside in the 2003 budget.

Better Tax Recognition of Caregiver Expenses

Budget 2004 also proposes a measure to provide tax relief for caregivers who incur medical expenses on behalf of dependent relatives. The personal income tax system currently provides tax relief in recognition of the extra basic living expenses associated with providing support or care through a number of tax credits. However, costs over and above these basic living expenses are not always covered. This is why Budget 2004 proposes to allow caregivers to claim more of the medical expenses and disability- related expenses they incur on behalf of dependent relatives.

The amount of this claim will be capped at $5,000. This measure will better recognize the costs of caregivers, and will make sure they receive fair recognition under the income tax system for medical and disability-related costs they incur on behalf of dependent relatives. This measure will cost an estimated $20 million in 2004-05 and $25 million in 2005-06.

Better Workplace Integration

Budget 2004 lays the groundwork for the federal government to work with provinces and territories, communities and employers to increase support for workplace integration of Canadians with disabilities.

The budget provides increased funding of $30 million annually in 2004-05 and subsequent fiscal years for the Multilateral Framework for Labour Market Agreements for Persons with Disabilities (previously known as the Employability Assistance for Persons with Disabilities program). This is in addition to the $193 million that the federal government already contributes annually. This initiative supports the employment assistance programming for persons with disabilities that is delivered by provincial and territorial governments. Budget 2004 will bring total support under the Multilateral Framework to $223 million annually.

Furthermore, the government will also make sure that, as that nation’s largest employer, its policies do more to promote the hiring and retention of Canadians with disabilities. It also intends to encourage similar action on the part of private sector employers in the federally regulated sector.

Facilitating Transitions into Employment

Canadians with disabilities should not be penalized when they decide to take up the challenge of reintegrating into the workforce. Currently, recipients of Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits who attempt to return to work - but abandon their efforts because of difficulties in overcoming their disability - are required to reapply for disability benefits. This process actually discourages people from even wanting to return to work in the first place. This is why Budget 2004 proposes an amendment to CPP legislation that would resolve this problem. The amendment would allow for the reinstatement of disability benefits if a former recipient is required to cease work for reasons relating to his or her disability within two years of returning to work.

Please guide your members to our website at www.greenparty.ca to inform them of all our party platforms.

I hope that I have answered your questions satisfactorily, and that you and your special interest group will consider voting for the Green Party to ensure a Canada that is fiscally responsible, socially progressive, and committed to environmental sustainability.