Ottawa, December 12, 2006
2006-079

Canada's New Government Receives Recommendations on Savings Measures to Help Children With Severe Disabilities

Related document:

• A New Beginning - The Report of the Minister of Finance's Expert Panel on Financial Security for Children with Severe Disabilities

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The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today received recommendations from an expert panel appointed last summer to examine ways to help parents save for the long-term financial security of a child with a severe disability.

"On behalf of Canada's New Government, I wish to thank the panel for taking the time away from family and work to assist us on addressing this important issue" said Minister Flaherty. "Government must better enable parents to set aside funds today to financially support a child with a severe disability, when they are no longer able to provide support. I look forward to reviewing the panel's advice on how this objective could be achieved."

The members of the panel are:

• Chair, Mr. James Barton Love, Q.C., partner in the Toronto law firm Love & Whalen and Chairman and CEO of Legacy Private Trust.
• Mr. Laurie Beachell, National Coordinator for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.
• Mr. Rémy Girard, actor and spokesperson for the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation and the Federation of Family and Friends of People Affected by Mental Illness.

Pursuant to Budget 2006, the panel was asked to examine a range of existing and potential savings vehicles, assess their relative advantages and disadvantages, and recommend appropriate instruments that could be implemented. Each panel member was paid one dollar for their time and effort.

A copy of the panel's report can be accessed at www.fin.gc.ca/activty/pubs/disability_e.html or by contacting the:

Distribution Centre
Department of Finance
Room P-135, West Tower
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5
Phone: 613-995-2855
Fax: 613-996-0518

E-mail: services-distribution@fin.gc.ca

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For further information, media may contact:

Eric Richer Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Finance 613-996-7861

David Gamble Media Relations Department of Finance 613-996-8080

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