Federal Government Resources
The following services are provided by the Federal Government.
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HUMAN RIGHTS
Health coverage in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction, but two overriding pieces of federal legislation ensure personal rights and freedoms, and protection against discrimination.Charter of Rights: The Charter is the cornerstone of Canada’s constitution, and mandates that personal rights and freedoms cannot be impinged upon by legislation or regulations. In accordance with its interpretation by the Supreme Court of Canada, the Charter of Rights provides recourse to persons who encounter discrimination, and strives to ensure that equity is upheld.
Telephone: (819) 997-0055
Email: rights-droits@pch.gc.ca
CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS
The Act confers protection from discrimination to the consumers of federally regulated services, facilities, and accommodation, and to persons employed in businesses operated or regulated by the federal government. The latter includes federal departments and agencies, crown corporations and the armed forces. It also includes private companies subject to federal regulation, such as chartered banks, railways, airlines, bus companies, and inter-provincial trucking firms.To obtain a copy of the Canadian Human Rights Act contact the office of the Federal Human Rights Commission nearest you. Here is the address for the Ontario office:
Federal Human Rights Commission (Ontario)
1002-175 Bloor Street East
Toronto, On M4W 3R8
Telephone: (416) 973-5527
Toll Free: (800) 999-6899
THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN
The Office of the Ombudsman is also available to assist you in dealing with any and all complaints against the provincial government and its agencies. The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints regarding Provincial Government Ministries, Crown Corporations and Crown Agencies, Boards and Commissions, hospitals, schools and school boards, universities, colleges, professional bodies and local governments. The Ombudsman has the authority to conduct an investigation into any complaint and make recommendations with the aim of ensuring that practices and policies are fair.The Office of the Ombudsman is also available to assist you in dealing with any and all complaints against the provincial government and its agencies. The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints regarding Provincial Government Ministries, Crown Corporations and Crown Agencies, Boards and Commissions, hospitals, schools and school boards, universities, colleges, professional bodies and local governments. The Ombudsman has the authority to conduct an investigation into any complaint and make recommendations with the aim of ensuring that practices and policies are fair.
If you feel that you have been a victim of discrimination on the basis of your physical condition, you may be able to solicit help (i.e. peer support, advocacy, research) from an advocacy or affirmative action centre for the disabled in an urban centre near you. A list of such organizations is given in the Ontario services and resources section.
National Advocacy Organization:Council of Canadians with Disabilities
926-294 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B9
Telephone: (204) 947-0303
Website: http://www.pcs.mb.ca/~ccd/
Email: ccd@pcs.mb.ca
INCOME SECURITY
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit: Administered by the federal government, the CPP Disability Benefit is available to persons under the age of 65, who have been unable to work because of a severe and prolonged disability. The applicant must have been an income earner and made the required contributions into the plan. Eligibility is determined by the Income Security Programs. If approved, a qualified individual may receive benefits, provided the disability continues until they reach 65 years of age.In the province of Quebec, the Quebec Pension Plan replaces the Canada Pension Plan.
HUMAN RESOURCE CENTRES
These centres, operated by the federal government, are intended to help persons secure employment, through referral, counseling, and job postings. Special programs and regional counseling coordinators are available to help individuals with disabilities. Persons with CF who wish to make use of these services may begin by seeking the advice and assistance of the clinic social worker.
FEDERAL TAX CREDITS
There are a number of tax credits available to qualifying individuals with CF, such as the Federal Excise Gasoline Tax Refund Program for Handicapped Persons with Registered Charities, Goods and Services Tax (GST) Exemption, or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Exemption, Medical Expenses Tax Deduction, and a Disability Tax Credit (DTC). The CCFF prepared a guide to the disability tax credit, which is available through the CCFF national office. For more information on the CCFF’s efforts on the DTC, visit: http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca.To apply for a tax credit, an individual must file and complete an income tax form, and fill out the appropriate credit forms along with it. For more information, refer to the Federal Income Tax Guide or telephone the local Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) Tax Services Office. As well, the web site lists valuable information and current publications on tax credits, expense deductions and sales rebates, visit: http://www.rc.gc.ca
Employment Insurance Claims; Regular and Sick Benefits: If an unemployed Canadian has worked between 420 and 700 hours in the last 52 weeks (depending on the rate of unemployment in their region), and made regular contributions to Employment Insurance (EI), she/he is eligible to collect regular EI benefits.
For example, in Ontario individuals seeking gainful employment will receive approximately 55% of their average earnings, up to a maximum of $413 per week. Other special benefits are available to individuals who are unable to work due to special circumstances, such as sickness and maternity. The same benefits are available to all eligible applicants, disabled or not. Applications can be filed, in person, at a Human Resources and Development (HRDC) office or an authorized service centre or by mail or via self-service kiosk. General information about benefits is available at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca or check the telephone book, under Government of Canada.
NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL AWARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CF
Canada Study Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities: These grants are available for up to $5,000 per year and are designed to offset exceptional disability-related costs. To apply for such a grant you must first apply to your provincial or territorial authority for a full-time or part-time Canada Student Loan in order to establish need. You must submit a separate application form for the Canada Study Grant to the same authority.Since funding is limited, all applicants may not receive a grant, although attempts will be made to assist as many students as possible. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Exceptional education-related costs include: services, such as note takers, tutors, readers, interpreters (oral, sign), attendant care for studies, and specialized transportation (to/from institution only); and equipment, such as technical aids and/or alternate formats.
Creon® Achiever’s Award: Sponsored by Solvay Pharma Inc., the Creon® Achiever’s Award recognizes the accomplishments of 16 Canadian individuals with CF. In 200 words or less, candidates must write about their personal accomplishment(s) in one of four categories; creativity, education, leadership or sports. The top four applicants in each category will receive a $500 cash award. Applications are available each year in early summer through local CF clinics or the CCFF national office. The deadline for the return of applications is usually in early September. For more information, contact the local CF clinic.
Further Contacts and Publications on Federal Services and Resources
Canada Information Office at:
Canadian Abilities Foundation, Directory of Canadian Disability Links at:
The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work at:
NEADS- National Directory of Financial Assistance Programs for Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities at:
DISABILITY TAX CREDIT
In our efforts to give you important and relevant information, the following is information on receiving a disability tax credit.What is the disability tax credit (DTC)?
The disability tax credit is a non-refundable credit that reduces the amount of income tax that people with disabilities, or those who support them, may have to pay.
Who qualifies for the credit?
Eligibility for the DTC is based on the effects of the impairment rather than its presence. A person is eligible to apply for the DTC if he or she has a severe and prolonged physical impairment such that he or she is markedly restricted in his or her abilities to perform a basic activity of daily living.
In February 2000, the eligibility criteria were expanded for the DTC to include individuals with severe and prolonged disabilities who need life sustaining therapy on an ongoing basis. This life sustaining therapy could include "clapping" therapy, and must be performed at least 3 times a week, for an average of 14 hours a week.
How to apply?
In order to claim the DTC, a person must file a completed Form T2201, Disability Tax Credit certificate, available at Canada Customs and Revenue Agency offices or on the website: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/disability. Make sure to complete a new form, since revisions have been made to the form. The Form T2201 is only valid when a qualified person (CF physician, family physician, pediatrician or other health professionals) has completed Part B of the form, certifying that the person claiming the credit meets the eligibility requirements and has signed the form.
Individuals or families dealing with severe and disabling CF disease are advised to work with their physician in developing a description of the specific ways in which cystic fibrosis impacts on normal daily activity. This information should be presented in the space at the top of page two (Part B) of Form T2201, and the description may be continued, if necessary, on an attached page.
