There are millions of unpaid caregivers in the country and one group would like to see more support with a refundable tax credit.
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) estimates that family caregivers save the health care system $25-billion annually.
Bill VanGorder who is on CARP’s National Board of Directors, says they have launched a national campaign and want to make credit for caregivers an election issue.
VanGorder says Newfoundland and Labrador provincially has one of the better personal care supports for seniors but CARP want to bring the federal support up to the same level to allow family members to continue to give support in their home.
He says if you have to stay home to look after a loved one and you’re not making any money, an ordinary tax credit won’t do you any good. You’re not making money or paying taxes so you won’t get anything back. What CARP wants is one that’s refundable so that if you are not working you will still get that amount of money, even though you haven’t paid the tax.
Currently caregivers receive 15 weeks of EI benefits but CARP would like it to go up to 27 weeks.
VanGorder says they can lobby all day but what really makes a difference is when local citizens tell their candidates that this is what they want to happen.
More information on CARP’s campaign can be found at their website.
