Liberal Shawn Murphy responds
Shawn Murphy MP Liberal
Q- Will you support an increase in the CPP up to the single person LICO (low income cut off)? The disabled living on CP Disability are living below 60% of the LICO.
Response – If elected, the Liberal Party will make the Disability Tax Credit refundable so if a disabled person does not pay taxes they will still receive the support, which could amount to as much as $1025 per year. I believe this can be a positive step in helping to raise the level of income for people with disabilities. There is still much more to be done though and with the Liberals 30/50 Poverty Plan, many of the systematic issues that place people in unfortunate situations will be addressed. It is becoming even clearer to me, especially in going door to door, that many people with disabilities are living in poverty and need more support
Q – Will you support a national drug program with a co-pay for the disabled of less than $1,000 per year. The current suggestion of $5,000 does not consider that the disabled poor are often living on $12,000 per year.
Response – In response to your concerns about drug coverage, last week the Liberal Party announced their Catastrophic Drug Coverage plan that will invest $900 million to ensure Canadians living with serious illnesses can focus on their health and not their finances.
Q – Will you support a national program of disability supports to replace the current patchwork quilt of provincial supports? On PEI, only 11% of the disabled population is receiving supports.
Response – I support a national strategy but I recognize that many of the programs disabled persons utilize are administered by provincial jurisdictions but I am willing to continue to work with the provincial government to ensure that the level and access of support and programs are strengthened.
Q – Will you support a Canadians with Disabilities Act similar to the US ADA as amended? Canadians with disabilities need protection not a Charter. The attached article contains a recent post on the ADA.
Response – No Comment
Thank you for contacting me again about disability issues. I have enjoyed working with the disabled community and I am committed to improving their situation here in Charlottetown,
Shawn Murphy, MP
