Appointment of DAC Members by Minister Lebouthillier

December 8, 2017

The Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) will serve as an important forum for persons with disabilities to have their voices heard as the Canada Revenue Agency works to improve and enhance the way it administers the tax measures designed to support this community. The DAC will meet three times a year and will publish routine public reports.

The committee, co-chaired by CRA assistant commissioner Frank Vermaeten and Dr. Karen Cohen, chief executive of the Canadian Psychological Association, will make recommendations, but it will be up to the minister and her team to decide to implement them or not. Just the same, Dr. Cohen is optimistic that the work of the DAC will help improve the application and appeal process for the Disability Tax Credit:

"Through meaningful dialogue and consultation, the Disability Advisory Committee will provide the Canada Revenue Agency with a better understanding of stakeholder perspectives and priorities.  I look forward to working with the other Committee members to help the Agency make informed decisions about its administrative practices to ensure the Agency continues to improve the services it provides to persons with disabilities."

The other 12 voluntary members include:

• Sherri Torjman, former vice-president, Caledon Institute of Social Policy, from Ontario.
• Laurier Beachell, Baker Law, from Manitoba.
• Gary Birch, Neil Squire Foundation, from British Columbia.
• Dr. Jeff Blackmer, Canadian Medical Association, from Ontario.
• Lembi Buchanan, Disability Tax Fairness Alliance, from British Columbia.
• Michael Edgson, RBC Financial, from British Columbia.
• Roberta Heale, Nurses Practitioner Association of Canada, from Ontario.
• James Hicks, Council of Canadians with Disabilities, from Manitoba.
• Emily Johnson, Diabetes Canada, from Manitoba.
• Wendall Nicholas, Wabanaki Council on Disability, from New Brunswick.
• Véronique Vézina, COPHAN, from Quebec.
• Karen Wiwchar, H&R Block Canada, from Alberta.

Quick Facts

• The DAC will serve as an important forum to provide the CRA with feedback on the administration of measures for Canadians with disabilities, including the Child Disability Benefit, tax deductions such as attendant care expenses and allowable medical expenses, measures for caregivers and of adult dependents through the Canada Caregiver Credit.
• The Committee is being reinstated to provide the CRA with a formalized means of collaborating with various stakeholders. Enhancing the accessibility of the CRA's services to persons with disabilities is an ongoing effort, which will be greatly assisted by the Committee's work.
• The Committee will advise the Minister of National Revenue and the Commissioner of the CRA on the needs and expectations of persons with disabilities as they relate to the administration and interpretation of laws and programs administered by the CRA.
• The Committee will include persons with disabilities, qualified health practitioners, disability and Indigenous community advocates, and professionals from a variety of fields.
• The Committee will meet three times per year.  The frequency of meetings will be periodically re-examined to ensure best use of Committee Members' time.
• Other federal departmental representatives will be welcome in the role of observers or resource people.
• The CRA will proactively review applications that have been denied since May 2017, for which the CRA relied on the revised clarification letter to determine whether the DTC eligibility criteria as set out in the Income Tax Act have been met. Individuals do not need to submit new or additional information unless they are contacted by the CRA.

TAGS - dtc, cra

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