Dr. Ruby Dhalla supports Liberal Family Care Plan for Bramptonians

Brampton, Ontario, Oct. 08, 2010
Candice Debi

Brampton– Liberal Member of Parliament Dr. Ruby Dhalla shared the Liberal Party’s new plan to support Canadian families and Bramptonians by helping family caregivers with the cost of caring for sick or aging loved ones at
home.

“Whether we’re caring for our aging parents or grandparents, or a sick spouse or child, we all want the option of caring for them at home,” said Dhalla. “Brampton families want to shoulder the responsibility of caring for their loved ones at home, but they also want a government that stands with them.

“With difficult economic times, Canadians – want a choice to choose a Government that will help them. The Conservatives have choosen tax breaks for corporations. We choose to help Canadian families” said Dhalla.

To enhance care for our parents, our grandparents and our sick loved ones, and to recognize the important contribution of family caregivers, a Liberal government will invest $1 billion annually in a new Family Care Plan to help reduce the pressure on hundreds of thousands of struggling Canadian families. The Liberal Family Care Plan includes two new measures:

1. A new six-month Family Care Employment Insurance Benefit, similar to the EI parental leave benefit, so that more Canadians can care for gravely ill family members at home without having to quit their jobs; and

2. A new Family Care Tax Benefit, modeled on the Child Tax Benefit, to help low- and middle-income family caregivers who provide essential care to a family member at home.

“Providing care at home allows our loved ones to live in dignity as they face their health challenges with their families. Making family care easier will also help to contain health care costs in the long run” said Dhalla.

“The reality is Canada’s population is getting older and most Canadians expect to be responsible for the care of a very sick family member at home in their lifetime, and yet the Harper government has shown no leadership to address this pressing priority for Canadian families” said Dhalla.

The Liberal Family Care Plan will be a central commitment in the next Liberal platform, which will include a balanced and responsible fiscal approach to tackle the deficit while investing in the priorities of Canadian
families, like family care.

Dhalla, a chiropractor before entering politics in 2004

More About Dr. Ruby Dhalla