Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills Development, Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities

Check against delivery

Thank you, Madame Chair.

As you know, I was a member of this Committee for several years, so it is a privilege for me to appear now as a witness.

The Minister has just provided a solid overview of our Department, including the Government's commitment to renew and strengthen social partnerships at all levels throughout the country.

For my part, in keeping with the nature of my portfolio, I would like to reflect on the Government's specific commitment to families and caregivers.

Madame Chair, when I speak of caregivers, I refer to someone who cares for an aging parent or a family member with a disability, or both. Caregivers are Canada's unsung heroes, who need—and deserve—our support.

Unless one has been a caregiver, it is difficult to comprehend the mix of emotions that can accompany this role. On the one hand, a caregiver has a strong desire to provide love and support for a family member. On the other hand, the sheer scope of the demands can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion, financial difficulties and increased stress at work and in the family.

Given these immense challenges, I am proud that the Government of Canada has recognized the need to increase support for caregivers and their families.

This support takes several forms, addressing both the needs of seniors, people with disabilities and the families that care for them.

The Government currently allocates about $7.5 billion a year for benefits and tax measures, as well as programs and services, for Canadians with disabilities. This allocation includes $50 million for approximately 40,000 low- or moderate-income families taking care of a disabled child.

As noted in the Speech from the Throne, the Government will build on these previous tax measures by drawing on the upcoming recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities. It will also provide tax relief for Canadians who care for those with severe disabilities. And it will ask Parliament to consult across the country on possible additional initiatives to ease the burden of caregivers.

With respect to the needs of seniors, I am pleased to note that Social Development Canada is taking action on several fronts, which will directly and indirectly support caregivers.

Last year, our Government created a Task Force on Active Living and Dignity for Seniors, which I was pleased to lead. In May, we released our report, Creating a National Seniors Agenda, which examined current programming and community-based approaches and made 17 recommendations to improve the quality of life for seniors.

Madame Chair, those recommendations were driven by two imperatives. First, moving forward now to address the needs of today's most vulnerable seniors. And second, taking the steps needed to prepare for the growing number of seniors as our population ages.

The Speech from the Throne outlined the Government's desire to increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement for low-income seniors, addressing the needs of Canada's poorest seniors now.

Work is also under way across all government departments, as well as with our provincial and territorial partners, to find ways to leverage our collective capacity as we work together to better align seniors-related policies, programs and services.

Our Department launched the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which will support a wide range of community-based projects across Canada to encourage active living and participation among seniors. Through New Horizons, seniors and their community partners can create projects that fit their unique needs. These projects may range from harnessing seniors' experience through mentorship, to expanding volunteer activities for seniors and other vulnerable groups, to strengthening relationships across generations.

New Horizons will receive $8 million in this fiscal year, and $10 million a year thereafter. The Program will directly help seniors who are in need, and allow seniors to put their talents and energies to work in helping others and their communities. At the same time, it will indirectly ease the burden on caregivers by providing more opportunities for seniors to be active in the community.

Madame Chair, we can never do enough to support caregivers and their families. But I believe we've made a good start. Apart from the emerging policy framework and the financial contributions I've indicated, the Government has clearly signalled its commitment to this issue by creating the portfolio of Minister of State for Families and Caregivers. I feel very privileged to be given the task of shaping the Government's response to this vitally important component of our society.

Thank you.

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