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2005 Budget

The Right Honourable Paul Martin, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada
Room 311-S, Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister,

With the passage of the Budget by the House of Commons on March 9, 2005, I wanted, on behalf of  the Canadian Human Rights Commission, to acknowledge the important emphasis it placed on matters affecting human rights in Canada.

In terms of the needs of persons with disabilities, the Commission applauds the fact that the majority of the recommendations, from the December 2004 report, Disability Tax Fairness, of the Technical Advisory Committee on Tax Measures for Persons with Disabilities, are being implemented.  Another positive measure for persons with disabilities is the funding to assist the Canadian National Institute for the Blind in improving the accessibility of information and written culture for Canadians with print disabilities.   

The Commission notes as well that the Budget includes measures to strengthen Aboriginal communities.  The Commission also acknowledges the funding to enhance the Multiculturalism Program and to implement Canada’s Action Plan Against Racism. 
  
Even though much more needs to be done to advance human rights in Canada, the Commission wishes to acknowledge when the Government undertakes important and  progressive work in the human rights field as it has done in this Budget.

Yours sincerely,
       

Mary Gusella

c.c.:  The Hon. Irwin Cotler, P.C., M.P.
         Minister of Justice and Attorney General
        The Hon. Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P.
         Minister of Finance 
        The Hon. Raymond Chan, P.C., M.P.
        Minister of State (Multiculturalism)