NDP answers to SACL election questions

1.If elected, what would your party do to ensure that children and youth with intellectual disabilities have consistent access to an inclusive, quality education with the supports they need?

In June 2007, Saskatchewan continued its commitment to achieving the full participation and inclusion of people with disabilities with the release of a Disability Inclusion Policy Framework. This new framework provides a long-term vision and principles to address disability issues in Saskatchewan. It will guide the development and delivery of the province’s disability programs as we continue to move forward in partnership with people with disabilities, their families, community-based organizations and employers.

The new framework is the province’s official response to the Disability Action Plan of the Saskatchewan Council of Disability Issues. The plan provided a comprehensive, thoughtful analysis of disability issues and possible solutions for a more inclusive, fair approach for government programs and services. Since the Plan’s release in 2001, the province has invested more than $49 million to support the participation and inclusion of transportation, employment, education, income support housing and cognitive disability supports.

Our NDP government recognizes that full participation and inclusion for people with disabilities requires a series of steps due to the complexity of the issue. The Disability Action Plan has guided our New Democratic government in taking steps towards the goal of full participation and inclusion.

2.Does your party support individualized funding for people with intellectual disabilities?

Our New Democratic government is committed to the provision of high quality community-based residential and day programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

We will continue to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities to access community-based residential services that meet their support needs. Our government is extensively engaged in long-term planning and program development to support individuals with complex needs in the community.

As part of our 2007-08 budget, our NDP government has provided a $1,575,000 enhancement to CLD for supports to individuals with intellectual disabilities. As well we have provided a $600,000 enhancement to implement CLD’s Redesigned Respite Program for families with children with intellectual disabilities.

CLD will continue to work collaboratively with in-patient healthcare facilities and others to determine and access appropriate resources to meet the complex support needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns.

3.Would your party support taking people with disabilities off of welfare and creating a separate income support program that addresses poverty and provides security?

The NDP government is reviewing the supports available to people with disabilities, as well as the method by which support is provided. Options are being explored to provide disability supports outside of social assistance, which would benefit both those able and those unable to work. Examples of the principle in practice include:

•the option for those on social assistance to participate in the Saskatchewan Pension Plan without the loss of income;
•the extension of supplementary health benefits for a year for persons with disabilities leaving social assistance for employment; and
•a new disability housing supplement for low-income persons with disabilities.

As well, the 2003-04 provincial budget provided for an increase to the monthly social assistance disability allowance in recognition of the extra costs of living with a disability.

In 2005-06, the earnings exemption for persons with disabilities working and receiving social assistance was increased by $40 per month. Approximately 10,000 people with disabilities received this increase to their allowance for basic necessities such as food, clothing, and other personal needs. In addition, approximately 2900 adults living in residential care facilities, where food, shelter and care needs are provided, received an additional $20 per month in their personal living allowance.

In May 2007 the adult basic allowance for individuals receiving social assistance increased by an additional $10 per month, and has benefited almost 13,400 people with disabilities. Approximately 2400 adults living in residential care facilities will also receive an additional $5 per month in their Personal Living Allowance for items not provided by the facility. In addition, Level of Care rates will increase by $28 per month in 2007-08.

Enhancements were also made to the Disability Rental Housing supplement

•in April 2006, the Disability Rental Housing Supplement was expanded to include people with cognitive disabilities
•Disability Rental Housing Supplement maximum benefit amounts increased between $90 to $150 per month from levels of $60 to $96 per month. Families with children are now able to receive up to $227 per month in combined family and disability benefits (previously $151)

The 2003-04 provincial budget provided for indexation of disability-related income tax credit amounts including the Disability Tax Credit, Disability Supplement, Caregiver Tax Credit, and Infirm Dependent Tax Credit. The indexation factor for the 2006 taxation year was 2.2 per cent.

The NDP will continue to work with the federal government to review disability support tax benefits. The federal government improved the Disability Tax Credit, the Medical Expense Tax Credit, the Caregiver Tax Credit and the Disability Supports Deduction, and introduced a Child Disability Tax Credit. These improvements also enhanced the parallel provincial income tax measures.

In the 2007 budget, the federal government introduced a Registered Disability Savings Plan that included a Canada Disability Savings Grant and Canada Disability Savings Bonds, and the Working Income Tax Benefit Supplement for People with Disabilities. In 2001, the Government of Saskatchewan significantly increased the amounts of a number of disability-related tax credits in the provincial income tax system. These credits include the Disability Tax Credit, Disability Supplement, the Caregiver Tax Credit and Infirm Dependent Tax Credit. Since 2001, these tax credit amounts have been fully indexed to the national inflation rate.