Readout: Disability Advisory Committee Meeting – February 4-5, 2019

On February 4-5, 2019, the Disability Advisory Committee held its first meeting of its second year in Ottawa, Ontario.

Re-instated in November 2017, the Committee is an important forum for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to engage with persons living with disabilities. The Committee undertook a significant amount of research and work over the past year to address issues affecting persons with disabilities. It has heard from hundreds of Canadians and stakeholders, including through its surveys to medical practitioners and tax preparers.

During the meeting, Committee members discussed its first annual report. The report includes recommendations and a series of tangible improvements to help guide the Agency and the Government of Canada in their efforts to better support Canadians living with disabilities.

Following that discussion, the CRA provided an update on its efforts to improve the administration of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and new initiatives currently underway.

To maintain the Committee’s momentum during the next year, the Committee focused on forward planning, taking time to review its mandate and set its priorities for the next year. With this in mind, the Committee also reviewed its existing working groups. The Committee’s working groups will continue to consult with a wide range of stakeholders in order to gather data and information to form future recommendations.

Committee members look forward to presenting their annual report and recommendations to Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier and Canada Revenue Agency Commissioner Bob Hamilton by the Spring. In the meantime, the Committee will continue to engage with stakeholders from a range of areas in this important conversation.