Chapter 3.4: Supporting Families and Communities

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Highlights

Consumers First

• Encouraging competition and lower prices by introducing legislation to cap wholesale domestic wireless roaming rates and provide telecommunications regulatory bodies with the power to impose monetary penalties on companies that violate regulatory requirements such as the Wireless Code.
• $305 million over five years to extend and enhance broadband internet service for Canadians in rural and Northern communities.
• Introducing legislation to prohibit unjustified cross-border price discrimination to reduce the gap between consumer prices in Canada and the United States.
• $390 million over five years to strengthen Canada’s food safety system.
• Developing a comprehensive financial consumer code.
• Eliminating the practice of pay-to-pay billing.
• Expanding access to basic banking services.
• Launching a review of the Canadian deposit insurance framework to ensure continued protection for the savings of Canadians.

Investing in Families

• $44.9 million over five years to expand the focus of the National Anti-Drug Strategy from illicit drugs to also address prescription drug abuse in Canada.
• Expanding health-related tax relief under the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) and income tax systems to better reflect the health care needs of Canadians.
• Enhancing access to Employment Insurance sickness benefits for claimants who receive Parents of Critically Ill Children and Compassionate Care benefits.
• Increasing the maximum amount of the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to help make adoption more affordable for Canadian families.
• An additional $5 million per year for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to support additional community projects that benefit seniors.
• Restoring the effectiveness of the excise duty on tobacco products in support of the Government’s commitment to reducing tobacco consumption.
• $91.7 million over five years to enhance the RCMP’s ability to combat contraband tobacco.

Investing in Stronger Communities

• Introducing measures that will further reduce the administrative burden on charities, encourage charitable giving and allow charities to use modern electronic tools.
• $105 million per year in support of culture-related programs, $9 million per year for the Canada Book Fund and $8.8 million per year for the Canada Music Fund.
• $10.8 million over four years to support the efforts of Special Olympics Canada.
• Proposing changes to the Public Service Employment Act and the Public Service Employment Regulations to enhance employment opportunities in the federal public service for veterans.
• Supporting the implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
• Committing $8.1 million to create a DNA-based Missing Persons Index to match DNA from missing persons and unidentified remains to the National DNA Data Bank.
• $25 million over five years to continue efforts to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls.
• Introducing a Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit for search and rescue volunteers who perform at least 200 hours of service during the year.
• $200 million over five years to establish a National Disaster Mitigation Program; $40 million over five years for disaster mitigation in First Nations communities; and $11.4 million over five years on a cash basis to upgrade the earthquake monitoring system to incorporate more advanced technologies that provide timely public alerts in high-risk and urban areas.
• $323.4 million over two years to continue the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan.

Supporting Families and Communities

Economic Action Plan 2014 builds on previous actions by the Government to support families and communities, improving the quality of life for hard-working Canadian families.

Economic Action Plan 2014 supports Canadian families by advancing the Government’s Consumers First Agenda, supporting competition in the wireless sector, better protecting financial consumers, keeping taxes low, encouraging inclusive communities, and providing further tax recognition of the costs of adopting a child and health-related expenses.

In addition, Economic Action Plan 2014 helps communities by taking additional steps to support the charitable sector, improve the health of Canadians, support our artists and cultural communities, and support and honour our veterans. It also takes action for Canadians in need, for example by helping Canadians prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Economic Action Plan 2014 also introduces a Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit in recognition of the important role played by these volunteers. It proposes measures to improve the health and safety of Aboriginal communities including investments in water infrastructure and efforts to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls. In addition, Economic Action Plan 2014 supports Canadians’ safety and security and continues to provide development and humanitarian assistance to people in other countries.

Consumers First

When Canadians make decisions about how to spend their money, they must be assured of a voice, a choice and fair treatment. They are tired of hidden fees. They should not be charged more in Canada for identical goods that sell for less in the United States, unless that price difference reflects legitimate higher costs.

Since 2006, the Government has taken significant action to support and protect all Canadian consumers by reducing taxes and tariffs, ensuring marketplace fairness, promoting competition in a number of industries (including financial services, telecommunications and air services), and improving product and food safety.

The 2013 Speech from the Throne signalled that the Government would continue its strong commitment to protect Canadians and their families while encouraging healthy competition and lower consumer prices. Economic Action Plan 2014 will expand on the Government’s consumer-focused measures to improve the bottom line for Canadian families and ensure that they are getting value for their hard-earned dollars. Additional actions will support fair prices for consumers in the marketplace, enhance food safety and eliminate the practice of pay-to-pay billing.

Improving Competition in the Telecommunications Market

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes a number of measures to strengthen competition in the telecommunications market, including legislation to reduce wholesale roaming rates and to enhance consumer protection and regulatory compliance.

The Government has a strong record of responding to the needs and concerns of Canadian consumers, including by taking steps to achieve greater competition in the wireless market so that Canadians benefit from more choice, lower prices and better service. The 2013 Speech from the Throne highlighted the importance of protecting Canadians and their families while encouraging healthy competition and lower consumer prices. Since the last auction of wireless spectrum in 2008, prices have fallen by almost 20 per cent and jobs in the wireless industry have increased by 25 per cent.

The Government will build on this record by proposing to amend the Telecommunications Act to cap wholesale domestic wireless roaming rates to prevent wireless providers from charging other companies more than they charge their own customers for mobile voice, data and text services. This measure will be in place until the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which is now investigating this issue, makes a decision on roaming rates. With wholesale domestic roaming rates on networks capped, Canadian consumers will benefit from more competition in the wireless market.

The Government will also propose amendments to the Telecommunications Act and the Radiocommunication Act to provide the CRTC and Industry Canada with the power to impose administrative monetary penalties on companies that violate established rules such as the Wireless Code and rules related to the deployment of spectrum, services to rural areas and tower sharing. Legislative amendments will be proposed to:

• Enhance information sharing by the CRTC and Industry Canada to enable greater cooperation with organizations such as the Competition Bureau, which will benefit consumers;
• Provide the CRTC with the authority to impose conditions pertaining to social requirements on telecommunications service providers that are not carriers (i.e. “re-sellers” of services) to help ensure that all consumers can benefit, no matter which provider they choose;
• Clarify the prohibitions against violating Industry Canada’s spectrum auction rules, to ensure fair and competitive bidding that achieves the greatest benefit for Canadians from this public resource; and
• Clarify the prohibitions against the manufacture, sale or use of jamming devices (e.g. devices that block cell phone transmissions by creating interference), to better protect Canadians.

In addition, amendments will be introduced to streamline the process for certifying telecommunications equipment for use by consumers and businesses.

The CRTC commenced hearings last Fall on telecommunications service providers’ practice of charging customers to receive paper bills. The Government is following these proceeding with great interest.

Improving Access to Broadband in Rural and Northern Communities

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $305 million over five years to extend and enhance access to high-speed broadband networks to a target speed of 5 megabits per second for up to an additional 280,000 Canadian households.

For most Canadians, access to affordable and reliable broadband networks is an important part of everyday life. The rapid evolution of technology, continuously changing user needs and the wide use of the internet require broader access to faster network speeds. Households in communities outside of urban centres commonly face challenges in accessing equivalent internet service levels due to factors such as remote location and challenging terrain. In the 2013 Speech from the Throne, the Government committed to continue working to make high-speed broadband networks available for rural Canadians. Enhancing and extending access will create jobs, growth and prosperity for rural and Northern Canadians by increasing their ability to participate in the digital economy. Additionally, small and medium-sized businesses will benefit by having increased access to information and markets.

Working with other partners, the Government is supporting such access in a number of ways, including by making broadband projects eligible under the new Building Canada plan announced in Economic Action Plan 2013. In the Fall of 2013, the Minister of Industry also announced that the Government will only renew those wireless spectrum licenses intended to be used to provide high-speed internet access to rural Canadians if the companies holding the licenses are using them for that purpose. Those companies that have not used the spectrum will lose it and the Government will ensure Canadians benefit from additional quality spectrum being deployed across the country for high-speed internet services.

To keep pace with the needs of Canadians in rural and Northern communities, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $305 million over five years to extend and enhance broadband service to a target speed of 5 megabits per second for up to an additional 280,000 Canadian households, which represents near universal access. The Government will announce further details about the new program in the coming months.

Telecommunications infrastructure is important to Canada's rural, northern and remote communities. Broadband networks contribute to economic growth by improving productivity, providing new products and services, supporting innovation in all sectors of the economy, and improving access to new markets in Canada and abroad.

—Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Legislating Against Unjustified Cross-Border Price Discrimination

Economic Action Plan 2014 announces a plan to introduce legislation to prohibit unjustified cross-border price discrimination.

It is well documented that Canadians pay more than Americans for many identical goods. Estimates from Statistics Canada suggest that Canadians were paying about 25 per cent more than U.S. consumers for goods in 2011 after adjusting for the exchange rate and sales taxes, slightly up from 24 per cent in 2008. Estimates for more recent years by private sector organizations suggest that price differences remain high (Chart 3.4.1). Canadians work hard and should not be gouged with higher prices simply because of where they live.

Canada-U.S. Price Gap Estimates (Before Sales Taxes)

Chart 3.4.1

In October 2011, at the request of the Minister of Finance, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance studied the reasons for the price differences. The Committee report suggested the following potential causes: remaining import tariffs; the relatively small size of the Canadian market; different product safety standards in Canada; other higher underlying costs of doing business in Canada; insufficient competition in the Canadian retail market; and manufacturers engaging in country pricing strategies.

Economic Action Plan 2013 provided $79 million in annual tariff relief, through the elimination of tariffs on baby clothing and certain sports and athletic equipment. This initiative will allow the Government to assess whether tariff elimination can help narrow the price gap for consumers in Canada. As such, the Government, through a third party, is monitoring the tariff savings to ensure that they are being passed through to consumers in the form of lower retail prices. The Government expects to have a full assessment of the impact of these tariff reductions by the end of 2014, which will guide future decisions on tariff reductions.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to address another source of the price gap identified by the Senate Committee: country pricing strategies—that is, when companies use their market power to charge higher prices in Canada that are not reflective of legitimate higher costs. Evidence suggests that some companies charge higher prices in Canada than in the U.S. for the same goods, beyond what could be justified by higher operating costs. Higher prices brought on by excessive market power hurt Canadian consumers.

The Government intends to introduce legislation to address price discrimination that is not justified by higher operating costs in Canada, and to empower the Commissioner of Competition to enforce the new framework. Details will be announced in the coming months.

Strengthening Canada’s Food Safety System

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadian families have confidence in the food they buy and eat.

Since 2006, the Government has invested over $500 million in Canada’s food safety system to hire inspectors, improve inspection practices, increase training for front-line inspectors and increase scientific capacity, resulting in a net increase of over 750 inspectors at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. These investments have enhanced the Government’s ability to respond proactively to food safety issues and improved market access for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to invest an additional $390 million over five years to strengthen Canada’s food safety system. Funding will support the hiring of over 200 additional inspectors and other staff; establish a national information system to enable authorities to move quickly to detect and respond to food safety risks; and continue core bovine spongiform encephalopathy-related programming aimed at safeguarding human and animal health. In addition, the Government will pursue legislative amendments as needed to facilitate the implementation of food safety program improvements.

Enhancing the Inspection of Food in Canada

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $153.6 million over five years to strengthen the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety programs.

The Government is taking action to further strengthen Canada's world-class food safety system. The volume of global trade in agriculture and agri-food products has increased significantly over the last decade and is projected to continue to grow. To respond to this changing environment and to continue protecting the health and safety of Canadians, the Government is making a significant investment to continue strengthening our food safety system.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $153.6 million over the next five years to enhance the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety programs that target high-risk foods. Funding will support the hiring of over 200 new inspectors and other staff, the development of programs to minimize food safety risks and an enhanced capacity to prevent unsafe food imports from entering Canada, offering better protection for consumers.

Modernizing the Food Safety Information System

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $30.7 million over five years to establish a national Food Safety Information Network.

A key component of a modern food safety system is the ability to share standardized food safety data and analysis among all food safety authorities. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $30.7 million over five years to establish a Food Safety Information Network to link federal and provincial food safety authorities and private food testing laboratories across Canada. The network will allow food safety data to be compiled, analyzed and shared in real time, allowing for more rapid detection of and response to food safety hazards.

Protecting Canadians and Supporting Animal Health

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $205.5 million over five years to continue bovine spongiform encephalopathy programming.

Canada has implemented a comprehensive suite of internationally recognized, science-based, routine measures to effectively minimize the likelihood of exposure and spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) within the cattle population and to protect consumers from the associated human health risks. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $205.5 million over five years to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to continue routine BSE-related programming aimed at safeguarding human and animal health, maintaining consumer confidence in Canadian products and enhancing market access.

Putting Consumers First in the Financial Sector

Consumers should be confident that they are protected by a high-quality regulatory framework that puts their interests first. Canadians must be able to make informed decisions about financial products and services and be assured of fair treatment.

Since 2006, the Government has set and delivered on an ambitious agenda to improve Canada’s financial consumer protection framework, resulting in one of the most advanced frameworks in the world. The Government has introduced credit card reforms, improved rules for disclosure, stronger complaint handling requirements, strengthened supervisory tools and new standards for prepaid payment products. Economic Action Plan 2014 continues to support financial consumers through new initiatives to ensure consumer protection, increase awareness and encourage financial literacy, enhance access to basic banking services and promote fairness and transparency.

Reviewing Canada’s Deposit Insurance Framework

Economic Action Plan 2014 announces the launch of a comprehensive review of Canada’s deposit insurance framework.

Deposit insurance protects Canadians’ savings of up to $100,000 in the event that a federally regulated deposit-taking institution fails. At the federal level, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) administers deposit insurance for CDIC members, including banks and other financial institutions.

The Government is launching a comprehensive review of Canada’s deposit insurance framework. This review will ensure that deposit insurance provides adequate protection for the savings of Canadians, taking into account lessons from the recent financial crisis and significant shifts in the global banking landscape.

Promoting Fairness and Transparency in the Credit Card Market

The Government will improve fairness and transparency in the credit card market.

Merchants pay fees each time they accept credit card payments from consumers. As with any other input cost, merchants pass some or all of these costs to consumers in the form of higher retail prices. Canada has among the highest credit card acceptance costs in the world.

In 2013, the Competition Tribunal found that certain of Visa’s and MasterCard’s network rules have an adverse affect on competition, which results in higher costs to merchants. In light of this finding, the Government will work with stakeholders to promote fair and transparent practices and to help lower credit card acceptance costs for merchants, while encouraging merchants to lower prices to consumers.

The Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada was created in 2010 to promote merchant choice, transparency and disclosure, and fairness in the credit card market. To further improve business practices, the Government intends to strengthen the Code of Conduct, in consultation with stakeholders.

Raising Financial Consumer Awareness

The Government will continue to raise public awareness about the costs of and alternatives to payday lending and other high interest rate lending products, collateral charge mortgages, and bank powers of attorney and joint accounts.

Payday Lending

Payday lending and other high-cost loans are an extremely expensive way for consumers to access short-term lending. Payday lenders typically target vulnerable populations, including low-income workers and families, persons with disabilities and the elderly.

In 2007, at the request of the provinces, the Government amended the Criminal Code to allow provinces with designated licensing regimes to regulate payday lenders and payday loans. The Government is committed to working with the provinces to maintain the integrity of the framework and to support provincial efforts to regulate appropriately all payday lending-type high interest rate products. The Financial Literacy Leader will also work with stakeholders to raise public awareness about the costs of and alternatives to these products.

Collateral Charge Mortgage

While many consumers continue to choose a traditional mortgage to secure their home loans, many are increasingly choosing collateral charge mortgages. The impacts of having a collateral charge mortgage may differ from traditional mortgages. For instance, switching between lenders may be more difficult. To make an informed choice, consumers need sufficient information to clearly understand the costs and consequences of collateral charge mortgages relative to traditional mortgages. The Government will require enhanced disclosure, better equipping borrowers to understand these impacts.

Powers of Attorney

Some seniors may ask for help in managing their banking affairs and put arrangements in place for a power of attorney or joint account. In relying on others, seniors are more vulnerable to financial abuse if the power of attorney or joint account is not set up with care. As banks are often seen by seniors as a trusted authority, it is important to ensure that banks have appropriate and adequate processes and procedures for advising on these matters. The Government will require enhanced disclosure by banks on the costs and benefits of using powers of attorney or joint accounts and more robust bank processes and staff training.

Continuing to Develop a Comprehensive Financial Consumer Code

The Government will continue to engage with Canadians on the development of a comprehensive financial consumer code to better protect consumers of financial products and services and ensure they have the necessary tools to make responsible financial decisions.

In Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government proposed to develop a comprehensive financial consumer code. In December 2013, the Government launched a national discussion to seek the views of Canadians on how to better protect consumers of financial products. The code will create a framework that protects consumers more effectively in a rapidly evolving financial industry and addresses the unique challenges faced by vulnerable Canadians. The Minister of State (Finance) will conduct national consultations and Canadians’ views will be invaluable in developing the code.

Enhancing Access to Basic Banking Services

Universal access to basic banking services is a cornerstone of Canada’s strong and vibrant financial services sector. The Government will act to enhance access to basic banking services.

Universal access to basic banking is a cornerstone of Canada’s financial sector in which Canadians can take pride. Indeed, 96 per cent of Canadians currently have access to banking services. The Government is committing to ensuring that basic banking needs of Canadians are met by our banks.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians benefit from low-cost accounts across Canada, and the Government will work to bring these low-cost accounts up to date to meet consumers’ current banking needs. As well, acting on the 2013 Speech from the Throne commitment, the Government will work with financial institutions to expand no-cost basic banking services for youths, students and vulnerable groups (e.g. beneficiaries of a Registered Disability Savings Plan and at-risk seniors). The Government will also proactively ensure pay-to-pay policies for monthly printed credit card statements provided by banks are prohibited.

The Government will build Canadians’ awareness of their right to cash Government of Canada cheques free of charge at any bank in Canada, following up on the commitment in Economic Action Plan 2013. New standard language has been added to the back of government cheques informing Canadians of this right.

Investing in Families

Families are the building blocks of our society. Canada succeeds when our families thrive. Every day, Canadian families work hard to make ends meet and provide for their children’s future. Since 2006, the Government has introduced several measures to help families succeed while recognizing that they are better placed to make household spending decisions than governments.

These measures include the introduction of the Universal Child Care Benefit, which provides parents up to $1,200 per year per child to help with the costs of raising young children, the reduction in the GST rate to 5 per cent from 7 per cent, the introduction of the Tax-Free Savings Account, and the introduction of the Registered Disability Savings Plan to help individuals with disabilities—and their families—save for their long-term financial security.

Economic Action Plan 2014 builds on the Government’s record of support for Canadian families by keeping taxes low, helping to address prescription drug abuse, encouraging the inclusion of all Canadians in our communities, and providing further tax recognition of the costs of adopting a child and health-related expenses.

Economic Action Plan 2014 also delivers on the Government’s commitment to reducing tobacco consumption by restoring the effectiveness of the excise duty on tobacco products, while also combating contraband tobacco, and supports efforts to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis among vulnerable populations.

Keeping Taxes Low for Canadian Families and Individuals

Since 2006, the Government has provided significant tax relief for Canadian families and individuals. For an average family of four, taxes have been cut by close to $3,400. These tax reductions give individuals and families greater flexibility to make the choices that are right for them and help build a solid foundation for future economic growth, more jobs and higher living standards for Canadians.

Canadian Families Keep More of Their Hard-Earned
Dollars as a Result of the Government’s Actions
to Reduce the Tax Burden

Tax Relief for a Family of Four—Example

Blake and Laurie are a couple with two children. Blake earns $48,000 and Laurie earns $72,000. As a result of actions taken by the Government since 2006, their family will pay $3,400 less in taxes, allowing Blake and Laurie to invest their hard-earned money where they see fit. Specifically, they will pay $2,326 less in personal income tax, including $856 from broad-based income tax relief such as the reduction in the lowest personal income tax rate, and $1,470 as a result of the introduction of new credits such as the Child Tax Credit, the Children’s Arts Tax Credit and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit.

Blake and Laurie will also pay $1,071 less in GST because of the Government’s reduction of the GST rate from 7 per cent to 5 per cent. Combined with personal income tax relief, this family will benefit from a total of about $3,400 in tax relief for 2014, allowing Blake and Laurie to invest that money in important family priorities (Chart 3.4.2).

Chart 3.4.2 Total Federal Tax Relief for a Family of Four, 2014

Under the Government’s long-term agenda to keep taxes low, significant broad-based action has been taken to reduce taxes on savings, and to reduce taxes for all Canadians. For instance, the Government has:

• Fulfilled its commitment to reduce the GST to 5 per cent from 7 per cent, benefiting all Canadians—even those who do not earn enough to pay personal income tax.
• Increased the amount that all Canadians can earn without paying federal income tax.
• Reduced the lowest personal income tax rate to 15 per cent from 16 per cent, and increased the amount of income that individuals can earn before facing higher tax rates by increasing the upper limit of the two lowest personal income tax brackets.
• Introduced the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)—a flexible, registered, general-purpose savings vehicle—that allows Canadians to earn tax-free investment income to more easily meet their lifetime savings needs. As of 2013, Canadians can contribute up to $5,500 annually to a TFSA. This is an increase from the annual contribution limit of $5,000 for 2009 through to 2012 and reflects indexation to inflation. At the end of 2012, more than 9 million Canadians had opened a TFSA. As the TFSA matures, it is estimated that, by 2030, in combination with other registered plans, it will permit over 90 per cent of Canadians to hold all their financial assets in tax-efficient savings vehicles.

The Government has also introduced a number of targeted tax reduction measures. For example, the Government has:

• Helped families with children by introducing the Child Tax Credit, the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit and the Children’s Arts Tax Credit.
• Introduced the Registered Disability Savings Plan, a tax-assisted savings plan that helps individuals with severe disabilities—and their families—save for their long-term financial security.
• Enhanced support to caregivers of infirm dependent family members by introducing the new Family Caregiver Tax Credit, and by removing the $10,000 limit on eligible expenses that caregivers can claim under the Medical Expense Tax Credit in respect of a dependent relative.
• Provided additional support to adoptive parents by enhancing the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to better recognize the costs of adopting a child.
• Provided about $2.8 billion in additional annual targeted tax relief for seniors and pensioners by increasing the Age Credit amount by $2,000, doubling the Pension Income Credit amount to $2,000, raising from 69 to 71 the age limit for maturing savings in Registered Pension Plans and Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and introducing pension income splitting.
• Enhanced support for workers by introducing the Canada Employment Credit, which recognizes employees’ work expenses for things such as safety gear, uniforms and supplies.
• Provided further support to students and their families by exempting scholarship income from taxation, introducing the Textbook Tax Credit, making Registered Education Savings Plans more responsive to changing needs, and lowering the program duration requirements of the Tuition, Education and Textbook Tax Credits applying to foreign university programs.
• Enhanced support for students and apprentices by extending the Tuition Tax Credit to all occupational, trade and professional examination fees.
• Introduced the Public Transit Tax Credit to encourage public transit use and the Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit to better support communities.
• Assisted first-time home buyers by introducing the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit and increasing the RRSP withdrawal limit under the Home Buyers’ Plan.

Benefits for Canadian families and individuals delivered through the personal income tax system, as well as support for families with children, have also been increased and enhanced. The Government has:

• Introduced the Universal Child Care Benefit, which provides $100 per month to families for each child under the age of six.
• Introduced and enhanced the Working Income Tax Benefit, lowering the “welfare wall” and strengthening work incentives for low-income Canadians already working, while encouraging other low-income Canadians to enter the workforce.
• Increased the amount of income that families can earn before the National Child Benefit supplement is fully phased out and before the Canada Child Tax Benefit base benefit begins to be phased out.
• Maintained the GST Credit level while reducing the GST rate by 2 percentage points, translating into about $1.2 billion in GST Credit benefits annually for low- and modest-income Canadians.

The Government Has Substantially Reduced the Tax Burden on Low- and Middle-Income Canadians

Chart 3.4.3 Per Cent Reduction in Personal Income Taxes as a Result of Tax Relief Provided Since 2006 by Family Income, 2014

In total, the Government has provided almost $160 billion in tax relief for Canadian families and individuals over a six-year period ending in 2013–14. Canadians at all income levels are benefiting from tax relief introduced by the Government, with low- and middle-income Canadians receiving proportionately greater relief (Chart 3.4.3). Overall, personal income taxes are now 10 per cent lower with the tax relief provided by the Government, and more than 1 million low-income Canadians have been removed from the tax rolls.

Since 2006, the Government has introduced more than 160 tax relief measures. The federal tax burden is now the lowest it has been in more than 50 years. Going forward, the Government remains committed to keeping taxes low and examining ways to provide further tax relief for Canadians.

The Government’s Actions to Reduce the Tax Burden Are Leaving More Hard-Earned Dollars in the Pockets of Seniors

As a result of actions taken to date by the Government, seniors and pensioners are receiving about $2.8 billion in additional annual targeted tax relief. In particular, since 2006 the Government has:

• Increased the Age Credit amount by $2,000—$1,000 in 2006 and $1,000 in 2009.
• Doubled the maximum amount of income eligible for the Pension Income Credit to $2,000.
• Increased the age limit for maturing pensions and Registered Retirement Savings Plans to 71 from 69 years of age.
• Introduced pension income splitting.

In 2014, a single senior can earn at least $20,054 and a senior couple at least $40,108 before paying federal income tax.

Tax Relief for a Senior Couple—Example

Dylan and Gisele are a senior couple receiving $55,000 and $27,000 respectively in pension income. As a result of actions taken by the Government since 2006, they will pay $2,321 less in personal income tax, including $618 from broad-based income tax relief, $738 they have saved by taking advantage of pension income splitting, and $965 from the doubling of the Pension Income Credit amount and the increases in the Age Credit amount.

Dylan and Gisele will also pay $749 less in GST because of the Government’s reduction of the GST rate from 7 per cent to 5 per cent. This adds up to a total of $3,070 in tax relief for 2014, allowing Dylan and Gisele to keep more of their pension income for everyday expenses.

Chart 3.4.4 Total Federal Tax Relief for a Senior Couple With Pension Income, 2014

Addressing Prescription Drug Abuse in Canada

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to invest $44.9 million over five years to expand the focus of the National Anti-Drug Strategy from illicit drugs to also address prescription drug abuse in Canada.

Prescription drug abuse has emerged as a leading consumer health and safety concern in Canada, including addiction and death due to overdose.

Canadian consumption of prescribed opioids has risen by over 200 per cent since 2000. Closely tied to this increase in usage is an increasing rate of prescription drug abuse, which doubled among Canadians aged 15 and older between 2011 and 2012.

Economic Action Plan 2014 expands the focus of the National Anti-Drug Strategy from illicit drugs to also address prescription drug abuse in Canada, and proposes to invest $44.9 million over five years to support new actions for that purpose. This funding will be used to educate Canadian consumers on the safe use, storage and disposal of prescription medications, enhance prevention and treatment services in First Nations communities, increase inspections to minimize the diversion of prescription drugs from pharmacies for illegal sale, and improve surveillance data on prescription drug abuse in Canada.

Health-Related Tax Measures

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to expand health-related tax relief under the GST/HST and income tax systems to better reflect the health care needs of Canadians.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the tax system reflects the evolving nature of the health care system and the health care needs of Canadians. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes measures that will expand health-related tax relief by:

• Expanding the list of eligible expenses under the Medical Expense Tax Credit to include costs associated with service animals specially trained to assist individuals with severe diabetes, such as diabetes alert dogs.
• Providing further tax recognition for costs associated with eligible specially designed medical therapies and training by:
  • Expanding the current GST/HST exemption for training that is specially designed to help individuals cope with a disorder or disability to also exempt services of designing such training, such as developing a training plan.
  • Including amounts paid for the design of an individualized therapy plan as an eligible expense for income tax purposes under the Medical Expense Tax Credit.
• Exempting acupuncturists’ and naturopathic doctors’ professional services from the GST/HST.
• Adding eyewear specially designed to electronically enhance the vision of individuals with vision impairment that is supplied on the order of a physician or other specified health professional to the list of GST/HST-free (zero-rated) medical and assistive devices.

Changes to the Medical Expense Tax Credit will apply to expenses incurred after 2013, and are estimated to reduce federal revenues by a small amount in each of 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16.

Changes to the GST/HST health-related measures will apply to supplies made after Budget Day and are estimated to reduce federal revenues by a small amount in 2013–14 and by $10 million in each of 2014–15 and 2015–16.

Employment Insurance: Enhancing Access to Sickness Benefits

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to enhance access to sickness benefits for claimants who receive Parents of Critically Ill Children and Compassionate Care benefits.

When Canadians fall sick, they may not be able to care for family members who are seriously ill or injured. The Government is committed to maintaining fairness in the Employment Insurance (EI) program and to making sure that it continues to help Canadians when they need it most. Building on the recent enhancements to EI sickness benefits for parental benefit claimants, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to commit $2.4 million over two years and $1.2 million per year ongoing to enhance access to sickness benefits for claimants who receive Parents of Critically Ill Children and Compassionate Care benefits. The proposed enhancements will allow claimants who are away from work temporarily to take care of a critically ill or injured child or gravely ill family member at significant risk of death to temporarily suspend their claims in order to access sickness benefits, should they themselves fall sick or become injured.

Increasing the Adoption Expense Tax Credit

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to increase the maximum amount of the Adoption Expense Tax Credit to $15,000 to provide further tax relief in recognition of the costs unique to adopting a child.

The adoption process can be costly for prospective parents. The Adoption Expense Tax Credit recognizes the costs unique to adopting a child by providing a tax credit on up to a maximum of $11,774 in expenses per child for 2014. To provide further tax recognition of adoption-related expenses such as adoption agency fees and legal fees, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to increase the maximum amount of the credit to $15,000. This change will apply to adoptions finalized after 2013. Normal indexation will apply to the new maximum amount for taxation years after 2014.

It is estimated that this change will reduce federal revenues by a small amount in 2013–14 and by $2 million in each of 2014–15 and 2015–16.

Extending Changes to the Pension Transfer Limits

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to extend changes to the pension transfer limits to help individuals who are leaving an underfunded pension plan.

Individuals leaving a defined benefit Registered Pension Plan may receive a cash-out payment from the plan reflecting the lump-sum value of their pension benefits. The income tax rules limit the amount of such payments that may be transferred tax-free to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Registered Retirement Income Fund or other defined contribution retirement savings vehicle. In 2011, the Government introduced relieving changes to these limits for individuals leaving an underfunded plan that is being wound up due to an employer’s insolvency. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to extend these changes to additional situations to ensure the appropriate application of these rules to individuals leaving an underfunded plan. This measure will apply in respect of cash-out payments made after 2012.

It is estimated that these changes will reduce federal revenues by $3 million in 2013–14 and by $5 million in each of 2014–15 and 2015–16.

Registered Disability Savings Plans—Legal Representation

The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a tax-assisted savings vehicle, introduced in Budget 2007, that is widely regarded as a major policy innovation and positive development in helping to ensure the long-term financial security of Canadians with severe disabilities. Since RDSPs became available in 2008, more than 78,000 accounts have been opened.

However, a number of adults with disabilities have experienced problems in establishing an RDSP because their capacity to enter into a contract is in doubt. In many provinces and territories, the only way an RDSP can be opened in these cases is for the individual to be declared legally incompetent and have someone named as their legal guardian. This process can involve a considerable amount of time and expense on the part of concerned family members, and may have significant repercussions for the individual.

To address this issue, Economic Action Plan 2012 allowed, on a temporary basis, certain family members to become the plan holder of the RDSP for an adult individual who might not be able to enter into a contract.

While the temporary measure has facilitated greater access to RDSPs, it does not represent a complete solution, because only those potential RDSP beneficiaries who have parents or spouses can benefit. In addition, under provincial and territorial trust law, withdrawals from RDSPs must be paid to the beneficiary of the plan or his or her legal representative.

Some provinces and territories have already instituted streamlined processes to allow for the appointment of a trusted person to manage resources on behalf of an adult who lacks contractual capacity, or have indicated that their system already provides sufficient flexibility to address these concerns. In this regard, the Government of Canada recognizes the leadership shown by the Governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon.

Other provinces have taken significant steps to identify a solution in their respective jurisdictions. The Government of Canada appreciates the recent efforts that the Government of Ontario has made in tasking the Law Commission of Ontario to recommend a streamlined alternative process and the recent indication from the Government of the Northwest Territories that it will address this issue on a case-by-case basis.

The Government of Canada urges the governments of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nunavut to take prompt action.

Enhancing the New Horizons for Seniors Program

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program by an additional $5 million per year.

The Government of Canada recognizes the important role community partners play in supporting seniors and building age-friendly communities. Through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Government provides funding to organizations that raise awareness of elder abuse and help ensure seniors can benefit from, and contribute to, the quality of life in their communities through active living and participation in social activities. For example, seniors in Scarborough, Ontario, now have greater awareness about how to protect themselves from fraud and financial abuse thanks to the Debt-Free Management Education (Seniors for Seniors) project, developed by the Canadian Centre for Women’s Education and Development. In Vancouver, the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia has initiated the Elders Financial Abuse Awareness Dialogue Project. This multicultural project was developed for seniors to raise awareness of elder abuse, determine the root causes of elder financial abuse and reduce its incidence in ethnic communities across British Columbia.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide an additional $5 million annually to the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This funding can support municipalities, not-for-profits, social enterprises and other community partners to address the needs of seniors.

Supporting Caregivers as Labour Force Participants

The Government is announcing that it will launch a Canadian Employers for Caregivers Plan to help maximize caregivers’ labour market participation.

The Government of Canada understands the sacrifice many Canadians make to care for their family members and the impact this has on both working caregivers and their employers. The Government will launch a Canadian Employers for Caregivers Plan to engage with employers on cost-effective workplace solutions to help maximize caregivers’ labour market participation. The Plan will include the creation of an employer panel that would identify promising workplace practices that support caregivers. Details will be announced by the Minister of State (Seniors) over the coming months.

Federal Programs Supporting Affordable Housing

The Government is committed to ensuring low-income families and vulnerable Canadians have access to quality affordable housing.

Some households face financial constraints or have distinct housing needs that impede their participation in the housing market. The Government will continue to work with provincial and territorial governments, municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and other stakeholders at the community level to ensure the accessibility and sustainability of housing, including social housing, for those most in need.

In Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government announced funding of $1.25 billion over five years to renew the Investment in Affordable Housing beginning in April 2014. Under the Investment in Affordable Housing, provinces and territories match federal investments and design and deliver programs to address local needs and priorities. Initiatives can include new construction, renovation, home ownership assistance, rent supplements, shelter allowances, and accommodations for victims of family violence.

Homelessness Partnering Strategy and Housing First

The Government has renewed the Homelessness Partnering Strategy as announced in Economic Action Plan 2013, and continues to work with communities, provinces and territories and the private and not-for-profit sectors to implement a Housing First approach to homelessness.

The Government is committed to ensuring that vulnerable Canadians who experience extended or repeated periods of homelessness have access to quality housing. Economic Action Plan 2013 announced nearly $600 million over five years starting April 2014 to renew and refocus the Homelessness Partnering Strategy using a Housing First approach. The Housing First approach involves giving people who are homeless a place to live, and then providing necessary supports to help them stabilize their lives and recover. As demonstrated by the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s At Home/Chez Soi project, the Housing First approach is an effective method to reduce homelessness and help those with mental illness. Through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Government is implementing the Economic Action Plan 2013 commitment, and continues to work with communities, provinces and territories and the private and not-for-profit sectors to find flexible and effective ways to respond to homelessness.

Restoring the Effectiveness of the Excise Duty on Tobacco Products

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to restore the effectiveness of the excise duty on tobacco products by adjusting the domestic rate of excise duty on such products to account for inflation and eliminating the preferential excise duty treatment of tobacco products available through duty free markets.

Reducing tobacco consumption is an important health objective, and a key tool in achieving this objective is the excise duty on tobacco products.

The general domestic rate of excise duty on cigarettes has not effectively changed since 2002, meaning that the real rate of the excise duty has deteriorated by 23.7 per cent. To restore the effectiveness of the excise duty in reducing tobacco consumption, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to adjust the rate of excise duty on cigarettes, effective after Budget Day, to account for inflation since 2002. This measure will increase the rate of excise duty on cigarettes from $0.425 per 5 cigarettes or fraction thereof to $0.52575 per 5 cigarettes or fraction thereof (e.g. from $17.00 to $21.03 per carton of 200 cigarettes). This measure also includes corresponding increases in the rates of excise duty on other tobacco products (e.g. fine-cut tobacco for use in roll-your-own cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars), reflecting the inflationary adjustment in the rate for cigarettes.

In addition, to eliminate the preferential excise duty treatment of tobacco products available through duty free markets (e.g. duty free shops), Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to increase the excise “duty free” rates on these products, effective after Budget Day, to be consistent with the rates of excise duty on the same tobacco products available in the domestic market (e.g. the excise “duty free” rate for cigarettes will increase from $15.00 to $21.03 per carton of 200 cigarettes).

It is estimated that these measures will increase federal tax revenues by $96 million in 2013–14, $685 million in 2014–15 and $660 million in 2015–16.

Going forward, to ensure that tobacco tax rates retain their real value in the future, the rates will be indexed to the Consumer Price Index and automatically adjusted accordingly every five years.

Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada, killing more than 37,000 Canadians each year. Cigarettes are highly addictive and cause cancer, heart disease and stroke, emphysema, and many other diseases. The overwhelming majority of new smokers are adolescents. A sustained, comprehensive response to the tobacco epidemic is essential, and tobacco taxation is a key component of that response.

—Excerpt from a May 3, 2013 submission to the Minister of Finance and Minister of Health, “A Win-Win: Recommendation for an Inflation Adjustment to Federal Cigarette Tax Rates,” endorsed by the Canadian Cancer Society and 12 other health organizations

Our evidence suggests that, even in Canada a big increase in the federal excise tax could get about one million smokers to quit and save about 5,000 lives a year.

—Dr. Prabhat Jha, Founding Director, Centre for Global Health Research, St. Michael’s Hospital and Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Enhancing Support to Combat Contraband Tobacco

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to allocate $91.7 million over five years to enhance the RCMP’s ability to combat contraband tobacco.

Contraband tobacco remains a serious threat to the public safety of Canadians. The illegal manufacture and distribution of this commodity fuels the growth of organized criminal networks. Building on recent investments, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to allocate $91.7 million over five years to enhance the RCMP’s ability to combat contraband tobacco.

The new funding to enhance the RCMP’s ability to combat contraband tobacco will be used to increase intelligence-led policing efforts, including the creation of a Geospatial Intelligence and Automated Dispatch Centre and the deployment of a range of sensor devices to detect movement on the border in high-risk areas, from the Maine-Quebec border to Oakville, Ontario.

Specifically, these enhancements would involve the deployment of high-end sensor devices including radar, sonar and unmanned ground sensors; mobile workstations; and long-range thermal video cameras to enable RCMP officers to respond in real time to high-risk alerts.

Investing in Stronger Communities

The Government continues to take concrete action to maintain strong and healthy Canadian communities. Economic Action Plan 2014 supports communities by taking additional steps to support the charitable sector. It proposes to maintain its investments in Canada’s vibrant arts and culture communities and to further recognize and support Canada’s veterans and their families. Economic Action Plan 2014 also provides additional support for Canadians in need and to help Canadians prepare for and recover from natural disasters. In addition, Economic Action Plan 2014 supports Canadians’ safety and security, supports the delivery of justice to victims of crime and their families, and continues to provide development and humanitarian assistance to people in other countries.

Charities

The Government of Canada recognizes that the charitable sector plays an essential and irreplaceable role in our society by providing valuable services to Canadians, including to those most in need. Economic Action Plan 2014 further responds to the report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on charitable donation tax incentives by proposing investments to reduce the administrative burden on charities and measures to enhance public awareness and tax incentives for charitable giving. It also proposes to amend the Criminal Code to remove an antiquated restriction and allow charities to conduct their lotteries through the use of modern technology.

Further Response to the Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on Charitable Donation Tax Incentives

To encourage Canadians to donate to registered charities, the Government of Canada provides individuals and businesses with tax incentives that have been described as among the most generous in the world. In fact, federal tax assistance for the charitable sector amounts to approximately $3 billion annually. Provinces and territories also provide significant tax assistance.

In February 2013, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance completed an extensive review of charitable donation tax incentives and related issues. Economic Action Plan 2013 responded to the Committee’s February 11, 2013 report Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving in Canada by introducing the First-Time Donor’s Super Credit, which is being promoted by charities across Canada. In Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government also committed to work with the charitable sector and redouble its ongoing efforts in several areas identified by the Committee. Economic Action Plan 2014 introduces several measures that deliver on this commitment.

Investing to Reduce the Administrative Burden on Charities and Enhancing Public Awareness

Economic Action Plan 2014 further responds to the recommendations in the report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on charitable donation tax incentives by proposing to reduce the administrative burden on charities and enhance public awareness.

Registered charities must file annual information returns with the Canada Revenue Agency. Unlike other groups, however, charities do not have the option of filing their information returns electronically. This poses a significant administrative burden for volunteers and staff of some 86,000 registered charities across Canada. This issue must be addressed to allow charities to devote more time and resources to charitable activities rather than administration. In addition, making data on charitable giving and trends more accessible will enhance public understanding of the charitable sector.

Both information technology modernization and enhanced public awareness have been identified as key priorities by the charitable sector. Accordingly, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes the following measures:

• To reduce the administrative burden on charities, funding will be provided to the Canada Revenue Agency to modernize its information technology, thereby enabling charities to apply for registration and file their annual information returns electronically for the first time. This will represent an overall cash investment of $23 million over five years.
• To improve public awareness, the Canada Revenue Agency will establish an enhanced web presence on charitable giving trends and characteristics in Canada.

These measures are expected to cost $1 million in 2014–15 and $0.5 million in 2015–16.

Enhancing Tax Incentives for Giving

Economic Action Plan 2014 further responds to the recommendations in the report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance on charitable donation tax incentives by proposing measures to enhance tax incentives for charitable giving.

Existing tax incentives play an important role in encouraging charitable giving by Canadians. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to further enhance these incentives with the following measures:

• To encourage Canadians to make additional donations of ecologically sensitive land, the 5-year carry-forward period for claiming these donations will be doubled to 10 years.
• To further facilitate charitable giving, the trustee of an individual’s estate will be allowed increased flexibility to apply charitable donation credits against the income tax liabilities of the individual or the estate.

These measures are expected to cost $10 million in 2015–16.

Amending the Criminal Code to Modernize Charitable Lotteries

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to amend the Criminal Code to allow charities to conduct lotteries through the use of modern technology.

Each year, charities in Canada raise hundreds of millions of dollars to support worthy causes through lottery sales. However, outdated legislation forces charities to process and activate all sales manually, and then send customers their tickets by mail—barring them from using modern electronic technology like computers.

In order to reduce administrative costs associated with charitable lotteries and allow charities to modernize their lottery systems, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to amend the Criminal Code to allow charities to conduct various aspects of lotteries through the use of a computer. The use of a computer will also allow charities to use modern e-commerce methods for the purchasing, processing and issuing of lottery tickets and issuing of receipts to donors. Prominent Canadian charities including the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society and Sick Kids Hospital report that allowing the use of computers could save millions of dollars each year in administrative costs for all Canadian charities that run lotteries. For example, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has identified potential savings of $1 million in annual administrative costs related to the use of computers in its lottery alone. Charities will be able to use these substantial savings to support their important work.

Building on the support already voiced by the Governments of Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba, the Government will consult with the provinces and territories on the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code.

Exploring the Potential of Social Finance Initiatives

Economic Action Plan 2014 announces that the Government will continue to work with leaders in the not-for-profit and private sectors to explore the potential for social finance initiatives.

Governments are not always best placed to solve the most pressing or persistent social and economic problems. There are Canadians who possess innovative solutions to these problems and there are others who are willing to fund “social entrepreneurs” in meeting these challenges.

In December 2013, the Minister of Employment and Social Development created a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Social Innovation, which includes experts and practitioners in the fields of social finance and social enterprise.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians’ use of innovative approaches to address pressing unmet social and economic needs. The Government will continue to work with leaders in the not-for-profit and private sectors to explore the potential for social finance initiatives and examine whether there are barriers to their success.

Investing in Arts, Culture and Sports

The Government’s continued commitment to arts and culture helps build stronger communities by bringing people together through shared artistic and cultural experiences. In addition, the Government will continue to support efforts to preserve Aboriginal languages.

The Government is committed to helping Canadians stay healthy. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes a number of sport and fitness measures such as maintaining the Government’s record level of investment in sport.

In the coming years leading up to the 150^th anniversary of Confederation, Canadians will commemorate many historic nation-building events, including the 150^th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, the Quebec Conference and Montreal’s 375^th anniversary.

Renewing Arts Funding

Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $105 million per year in support of core cultural programs.

Ongoing federal funding helps support the cultural sector and improves Canadians’ access to the arts and cultural activities in their communities. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $105 million per year in support of core arts programs. This includes funding of:

• $25 million for the Canada Council for the Arts.
• $30.1 million for the Canada Cultural Investment Fund.
• $30 million for the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.
• $18 million for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.
• $1.8 million for the Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust.

This investment will ensure that Canadians continue to enjoy access to a great diversity of Canadian arts and culture.

Supporting the Canada Book Fund

Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $9 million per year for the Canada Book Fund.

Canadian book publishers generate over $2 billion in annual revenues and employ close to 9,000 people. The Canada Book Fund helps supports access to a diverse range of Canadian-authored books in Canada and abroad. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $9 million per year for the Canada Book Fund.

Supporting the Canada Music Fund

Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan proposes to provide ongoing funding of $8.8 million per year for the Canada Music Fund.

Canada’s music sector generates nearly $3 billion every year in economic activity from sound recordings, concerts, commercial radio and performing rights. The Canada Music Fund helps Canadians access new Canadian music and Canadian artists. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan proposes to provide ongoing funding of $8.8 million per year for the Canada Music Fund.

Continued Support for the Virtual Museum of Canada and Online Works of Reference

Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $4.2 million per year for the Virtual Museum of Canada and $1.2 million per year for the Online Works of Reference. The funding and responsibility for these programs will be transferred to the Canadian Museum of History.

The Virtual Museum of Canada brings together content from Canada’s museums on one website to provide access to virtual exhibitions. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $4.2 million per year for the Virtual Museum of Canada. This funding supplements existing funding of $2 million per year, for a total annual investment of $6.2 million. The funding and the responsibility for the Virtual Museum of Canada will be transferred to the Canadian Museum of History.

The Online Works of Reference provides online content on Canadian culture and history and gives access to The Canadian Encyclopedia/Encyclopedia of Music in Canada and The Dictionary of Canadian Biography, a comprehensive historical dictionary that provides articles with accounts of the lives and times of the individuals who contributed to Canada’s development. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide ongoing funding of $1.2 million per year for the Online Works of Reference. This funding supplements existing funding of $0.9 million per year, for a total annual investment of $2.1 million. The funding and the responsibility for the Online Works of Reference will be transferred to the Canadian Museum of History.

Celebrating the 150^th Anniversary of Canada’s Founding Conferences

Economic Action Plan 2014 confirms the Government’s support for celebrating the historic importance of the Charlottetown Conference and the Quebec Conference.

In 2014, all Canadians are invited to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the historic conferences that led to the birth of our country. The Charlottetown Conference, along with the Quebec Conference one month later, were the foundation upon which Canada was built and led to the proclamation of the British North America Act and the birth of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.

In 2014, through existing programs, the Government will offer Canadians opportunities to celebrate and learn more about these significant milestones in the creation of Canada.

Maintaining the Government’s Record Level of Support for Sport

Economic Action Plan 2014 maintains the Government of Canada’s record level of investment in sport including ongoing programming support for our Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic athletes and coaches. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to dedicate ongoing funding of $23 million per year for the Sport Support Program.

Sport strengthens our communities and is a powerful means of enhancing the lives of Canadians of all ages, particularly children and youth, by enabling them to become more active and healthy. Sport contributes to our sense of national pride through the pursuit of excellence by our high performance athletes.

The Government of Canada has invested up to $500 million in the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games in Toronto. Canadian sport excellence and culture will be on display as Canada hosts up to 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 41 countries for the Pan American Games in July and the Parapan American Games in August. Beginning in 2015–16, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to dedicate ongoing funding of $23 million per year for the Sport Support Program. This includes $11 million targeted for winter sports through Own the Podium, $6 million targeted for team sports, $5 million for the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and, as recently announced, $1 million for Special Olympics Canada.

All Canadians are cheering on our Canadian athletes and coaches and celebrating their outstanding accomplishments at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Special Olympics Canada

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes additional funding of $10.8 million over four years for Special Olympics Canada.

Special Olympics Canada is a national, volunteer-driven organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for approximately 36,000 athletes of all ages with an intellectual disability.

Special Olympic athletes represent our country at the Special Olympics World Games and are great role models, particularly for children and young Canadians. Their passion is inspiring and shows that sport has the power to enrich lives, change attitudes and strengthen communities. However, only approximately 5 per cent of Canadians with an intellectual disability are registered with Special Olympics—a number Special Olympics Canada is committed to significantly increase.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide funding of $10.8 million over four years to support the efforts of Special Olympics Canada. This funding is in addition to the ongoing funding of $1 million per year mentioned above. The Government is proud to assist Special Olympics Canada in its efforts to provide sport training and competition opportunities for Canadian athletes with an intellectual disability.

Supporting Retirement Savings Opportunities for Amateur Athletes

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide greater retirement savings opportunities in respect of income contributed to amateur athlete trusts.

An amateur athlete who is a member of a registered Canadian amateur athletic association and is eligible to compete in international sporting events as a Canadian national team member is permitted to place certain income received in connection with their participation in these events in an arrangement known as an amateur athlete trust. Income contributed to an amateur athlete trust, as well as the investment income earned in the trust, benefits from a deferral of tax for up to eight years after an athlete ceases competing as a Canadian national team member.  

The current tax rules for amateur athlete trusts reflect amendments that were made in 2008. These amendments allowed athletes, who were no longer required by sports federations to set aside certain income in a trust to maintain their amateur status, to continue to benefit from the deferral of tax provided through amateur athlete trusts.

Currently, however, income contributed to an amateur athlete trust does not qualify as earned income in determining an athlete’s annual Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution limit. This treatment limits the amount of RRSP room available to amateur athletes to save for retirement, entailing another sacrifice for amateur athletes who delay their careers to represent Canada internationally.

To recognize Canada’s pride in its amateur athletes in this year of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to allow income contributed to an amateur athlete trust to qualify as earned income for the purpose of determining an athlete’s annual RRSP contribution limit. This will provide amateur athletes with more flexibility to save for retirement on a tax-assisted basis and ease their eventual integration into the workforce by deferring tax on income from their athletic endeavours. This measure will apply in respect of contributions made to amateur athlete trusts after 2013. In addition, individuals will be permitted to make an election to have income that was contributed to an amateur athlete trust in 2011, 2012 and 2013 qualify as earned income for RRSP limit purposes.

It is estimated that this change will reduce federal revenues by a small amount in each of 2013–14, 2014–15 and 2015–16.

Le Grand Défi

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $1 million over two years to Le Grand défi Pierre Lavoie.

The Government recognizes the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyles for young Canadians. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $1 million over two years to Le Grand défi Pierre Lavoie to promote healthy living and physical activity for school children across Canada.

Supporting and Honouring Veterans

The Government of Canada is dedicated to honouring the sacrifices made by veterans and their families and ensuring that they receive the support they need. With the implementation of the New Veterans Charter in 2006, the Government significantly increased the range of benefits and services it provides to ensure that disabled veterans not only receive compensation for the pain and suffering related to their disabilities, but that they also receive support aimed at restoring their ability to function at home, in their community and at work. Since implementing the Charter, the Government has invested close to $5 billion to further broaden and improve programs for veterans. As a result, the Government now provides a more complete suite of programs that addresses the needs of close to 200,000 veterans and family members each year.

Building on progress to date, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes a number of additional investments and legislative measures to honour the sacrifices made by veterans and their families, facilitate the successful transition of veterans to civilian life and provide them with better access to services.

Expanding the Funeral and Burial Program for Modern-Day Veterans

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes $108.2 million over three years, starting in 2013–14, to expand eligibility for the Funeral and Burial Program to ensure that modern-day veterans of modest means have access to a dignified funeral and burial.

The Government wants to ensure that the men and women who fought for our country have access to the programs and services they need. This includes a commitment to providing a dignified funeral and burial for veterans of modest financial means.

Economic Action Plan 2013 invested $65 million over two years to simplify the Funeral and Burial Program for veterans’ estates and to increase the funeral services reimbursement rate from $3,600 to $7,376.

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes a further investment of $108.2 million over three years, starting in 2013–14, to expand eligibility of the program to ensure that modern-day veterans of modest means have access to a dignified funeral and burial.

Commemorating Canada’s Mission in Afghanistan

The Canadian mission in Afghanistan has been the most significant Canadian military engagement since the Korean War and the fifth most costly military conflict in our nation’s history in terms of lives lost.

The Government is committed to recognizing the historic significance of this military engagement and the enormous personal sacrifices made by the thousands of Canadian Armed Forces personnel and dedicated public servants and civilians.

Priority Hiring of Veterans

The Government is proposing changes to the Public Service Employment Act and the Public Service Employment Regulations to enhance employment opportunities in the federal public service for veterans.

Each year, about 7,600 Canadian Armed Forces personnel leave the Canadian Armed Forces, including approximately 1,000 personnel released for medical reasons beyond their control. Finding meaningful employment is a key factor in making a successful transition to civilian life.

In recognition of their service to Canada, the Government proposes to enhance employment opportunities in the federal public service for medically released Canadian Armed Forces personnel by creating a statutory hiring priority in the Public Service Employment Act for Canadian Armed Forces personnel who are medically released for service-related reasons, and by extending the duration of priority entitlements from two to five years for all medically released Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

The Government also proposes to amend the Public Service Employment Act to give preference to eligible veterans in external public service job competitions, and to allow Canadian Armed Forces personnel with at least three years of military service to participate in internal public service job competitions.

Providing Better Access to Veterans Affairs Canada’s Services Online

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes funding of $2.1 million in 2014–15 to improve My VAC Account, a web-based tool that provides information and access to Veterans Affairs Canada’s services, and allows veterans and their families to do routine business with the Department.

The Government proposes to invest $2.1 million in 2014–15 to continue to enhance the way that veteran programs are delivered, by putting in place improved web-based tools that will provide veterans and their families with quicker access to the information and benefits that they need. The improved My VAC Account will offer a complete suite of online services that mimics services offered in-person, and will allow veterans to conduct business with Veterans Affairs Canada 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world.

Recognizing the Historic Titles and Ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces
in the National Defence Act

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to recognize the historic titles and rank designations of the Canadian Armed Forces in the National Defence Act.

The Government of Canada has honoured the proud history of the Canadian Armed Forces by restoring the titles of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as traditional rank designations for our men and women in uniform. In recognition of Canada’s military traditions and heritage, the Government proposes to amend the National Defence Act to enshrine these titles and designations in law.

Promoting Justice and Supporting Victims

Canada has a strong justice system that protects law-abiding citizens and communities. The Government has introduced measures to ensure the rights of victims come before the rights of criminals and worked to re-establish Canada as a country where those who break the law receive penalties that match the severity of the crimes committed. But more must be done to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes measures to continue efforts to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls, to better protect and support victims, and to provide law enforcement and the justice system with the means needed to protect communities and promote justice.

Creating the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights

Economic Action Plan 2014 supports the implementation of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

As stated in the 2013 Speech from the Throne, the Government is committed to “restore victims to their rightful place at the heart of our justice system.” The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights will stand up for victims of crime and give them a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections system.

The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights will provide victims with online resources that will help individuals access the federal programs and services available for victims of crime and a web portal that will allow victims to access information, including a photo of their offender, before they are released.

Recognizing their role in the criminal justice system, provinces and territories will be engaged, including with respect to the enforcement of restitution orders for victims and to establish and/or enhance victim complaint bodies.

Further details about the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights will be announced in the coming months.

Creating a DNA-Based Missing Persons Index

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes up to $8.1 million over five years, starting in 2016–17, with $1.3 million per year ongoing, to create a DNA-based Missing Persons Index.

Nationwide, the vast majority of missing persons reported annually are found within a week. However, some cases remain unsolved. The DNA-based Missing Persons Index would supplement the work currently underway at the RCMP National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains.

This new funding would be used to support police forces and coroners in submitting samples from unidentified remains and personal effects from missing persons and facilitate the comparison of DNA profiles with samples from the National DNA Data Bank.

The Index, once created, would help bring closure to the families of missing persons through DNA matching.

Providing Additional Judges

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes $4.4 million over two years for the creation of six additional federally appointed judicial positions in Alberta and Quebec.

In recognition of an increased workload, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to create two new positions on the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench and four new positions on the Quebec Superior Court.

Increases in the number of complicated, high-profile criminal and civil cases have caused significant delays in conducting hearings, at times up to 18 months, at the Superior Court level in these provinces. The additional positions proposed in Economic Action Plan 2014 will reduce these delays to ensure that cases are heard in a timely manner and that serious charges are not being dropped because of hearing delays.

Renewing the Aboriginal Justice Strategy

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes $22.2 million over two years for the Aboriginal Justice Strategy.

Aboriginal people experience disproportionately high rates of victimization, crime and incarceration. The Aboriginal Justice Strategy aims to address this by working with provinces, territories and Aboriginal communities to support community-based justice programs, which provide an alternative to the mainstream justice system for non-violent property or lesser offences in appropriate circumstances. These programs enable Aboriginal people to assume greater responsibility for the administration of justice in their communities and strengthen the voice of victims.

Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government proposes to continue to invest in the Strategy, by providing $22.2 million over two years.

Addressing Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes the renewal of $25 million over five years beginning in 2015–16 to continue efforts to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls.

Budget 2010 provided $25 million over five years to take concrete actions to address the disturbingly high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls. Through this investment, the Government has made targeted improvements to law enforcement and the justice system, including the creation of the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains. The Government has also made enhancements to the Victims Fund to ensure that Aboriginal victims and families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women have access to culturally appropriate services, and has supported the development of community-based awareness initiatives and safety plans to promote the safety of Aboriginal women and girls.

The Government supports the work being undertaken by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Violence Against Indigenous Women. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes $25 million over five years, beginning in 2015–16, to continue efforts to reduce violence against Aboriginal women and girls.

Safety and Security

Natural disasters can affect Canadians across the country at any time, so preparedness and mitigation measures are important to all communities. Economic Action Plan 2014 announces new measures to better prepare Canadians and protect them from natural disasters.

In addition, the Government remains committed to assisting communities in response and recovery efforts following natural disasters, so that Canadians can return to their normal lives. Through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, the Government will be providing over $4 billion in assistance to communities affected by natural disasters in recent years, including an estimated $2.8 billion to support the costs of response and recovery efforts for the regions of Alberta impacted by the severe flooding of June 2013. The Government of Canada typically pays for nearly 90 per cent of the costs of response and recovery for large-scale disasters.

The Government of Canada is also supporting the rebuilding of the Lac-Mégantic community following the aftermath of the devastating train derailment and explosion of July 2013. To date, the Government has committed $155 million in financial assistance to support response and recovery efforts and decontamination measures. Measures have also been put in place to strengthen the application of the polluter-pays principle, and increase safety for the transportation of dangerous goods across the country.

The safety and security of our immigration system is essential to protect Canada while facilitating economic exchanges and ensuring that immigration makes positive contributions to Canada’s labour market needs. Economic Action Plan 2013 announced a number of initiatives under the Beyond the Border Action Plan to address threats as early as possible and facilitate the flow of legitimate goods and people. In addition, new biometric screening measures were introduced in 2013. The Government will continue to improve the security and integrity of our immigration system. Economic Action Plan 2014 also announces that the Government will facilitate the movement of travellers and minimize border wait times by specifying which documents may be presented to establish the right of entry to Canada.

Introducing the Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes a new Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit to recognize the important role played by ground, air and marine search and rescue volunteers.

Economic Action Plan 2011 introduced the Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit in recognition of the important role played by volunteer firefighters in contributing to the security and safety of Canadians. Other quiet heroes across Canada put themselves at risk in service of their communities by volunteering for ground, air and marine search and rescue groups, in support of the Canadian Coast Guard, police and other agencies. They are an integral part of the emergency response system, and provide a source of well-organized, well-trained and well-equipped volunteers in the event of a natural disaster or large-scale emergency.

These include volunteers such as Tim Jones of British Columbia, who died on January 19, 2014 after a 26-year career with the North Shore Rescue Team.

Economic Action Plan 2014 announces a 15-per-cent non-refundable Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit on an amount of $3,000 for ground, air and marine search and rescue volunteers. This credit will be available to search and rescue volunteers who perform at least 200 hours of service during a year. Individuals who perform at least 200 hours of combined eligible search and rescue services and volunteer firefighting services in a given year will be able to choose between the Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit and the new tax credit.

Eligible search and rescue volunteers who currently receive honoraria in respect of their duties as emergency service volunteers will also be able to choose between the new tax credit and the existing tax exemption of up to $1,000 for honoraria.

This measure will apply for the 2014 and subsequent taxation years. It is estimated to reduce federal revenues by $1 million in 2013–14 and by $4 million in each of 2014–15 and 2015–16.

National Disaster Mitigation Program

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $200 million over five years to establish a National Disaster Mitigation Program.

The Government is committed to working with provinces, territories and municipalities to build safer and more resilient communities. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $200 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, to better protect Canadians and their homes through a National Disaster Mitigation Program. This program will support investments in structural mitigation measures, such as infrastructure to control floods that can reduce the impact of severe natural disasters. The costs of projects will be shared with provinces and territories. The Government will announce the details of the program over the coming months. In addition to this new funding, disaster mitigation projects are also eligible for federal cost-sharing under the new Building Canada plan.

The Government will also consult with provinces and territories on changes to the funding formula for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, which has not been updated since the program was introduced in 1970.

On-Reserve Emergency Management

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $40 million over five years for disaster mitigation in First Nations communities and reaffirms the Government’s commitment to provide stable funding for response and recovery activities.

The Government is committed to working with First Nations groups and with provincial and territorial partners to help First Nations become more resilient to natural disasters, such as flooding and forest fires, that threaten the health and safety of their communities. To that end, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $40 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, for disaster mitigation programming on reserves. This will complement the Government’s commitment to provide stable funding for on-reserve response and recovery activities, as announced this past Fall.

Residential Flood Insurance

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to consult with the insurance industry, provinces and territories to explore options for a national approach to residential flood insurance.

Canada is the only G-8 country without residential flood insurance coverage, leaving many Canadian homeowners with inadequate protection against losses from overland flood events. The Government will consult with the insurance industry, provinces and territories, and other stakeholders to explore options for a national approach to residential flood insurance in Canada and insurance issues arising from natural disasters more generally.  

Earthquake Monitoring

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $11.4 million over five years on a cash basis to Natural Resources Canada to upgrade the earthquake monitoring system to incorporate more advanced technologies that provide timely public alerts in high-risk and urban areas.

Earthquakes represent a significant threat to the safety and economic well-being of Canadians, especially in British Columbia. Public earthquake alerts allow Canadians to take action to reduce earthquake damage and protect lives by slowing and stopping trains, preventing cars from entering tunnels and automatically shutting down industrial systems. The existing national earthquake monitoring system was installed over 20 years ago. Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to provide $11.4 million over five years on a cash basis to Natural Resources Canada to upgrade the earthquake monitoring system to incorporate more advanced technologies that provide timely public alerts in high-risk and urban areas.

Biometric Screening

The introduction of new biometric screening measures in Canada’s immigration program in 2013 identified known criminals before they entered Canada.

The rise in global identity fraud and recent advancements in technology make it easier to improperly obtain and forge identity documents. The introduction of new biometric screening measures in Canada’s immigration program in 2013 identified known criminals before they entered Canada. The Government will continue to explore ways to improve the security and integrity of our immigration system.

Enhancing Documentary Entry Requirements

Economic Action Plan 2014 announces the Government’s intention to introduce enhanced documentary entry requirements measures to help facilitate the movement of travellers at the border and minimize border wait times.

In support of Canada’s commitments under the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan, Economic Action Plan 2014 announces the Government’s intention to introduce measures to specify the documents that may be presented at ports of entry. These measures will help facilitate the movement of all travellers and minimize border wait times.

Continuing the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan

Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes $323.4 million over two years to continue to implement the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan.

The Government of Canada remains committed to improving health and safety in First Nations communities. It has invested approximately $3 billion since 2006 to assist First Nations in the construction, maintenance and operation of their water and wastewater systems, with 198 major water and wastewater projects completed, including new construction and renovations. In June 2013, the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was passed, enabling the creation of enforceable standards to ensure the safety of water systems on reserves, similar to those that exist in the rest of the country.

To continue progress, Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes $323.4 million over two years for the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan. In addition, the investments in disaster mitigation and emergency management programming on reserves proposed in Economic Action Plan 2014 will help to protect water infrastructure in First Nations communities.

International Assistance

The provision of development and humanitarian assistance to those in need around the world continues to be a significant part of Canada’s budgetary framework and foreign policy. The focus and coherence of activity in this area has been strengthened through the amalgamation of our diplomatic, trade and aid capabilities under the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

The Government has deployed its international assistance resources in a timely and effective manner in response to crises in developing countries. In 2013, the Government took decisive action to provide emergency relief to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, including by: providing more than $20 million towards emergency relief activities; deploying more than 300 members of the Canadian Armed Forces’ Disaster Assistance Response Team; and creating a matching fund in which the Government contributed a dollar towards the response to this crisis for each eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities. Canada has committed over $630 million in humanitarian, development and security assistance in response to the crisis in Syria to date, and $15 million in humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Mali in 2013.

The Government has also allocated existing international development resources to high-performing global initiatives. In 2013, the Government made a new commitment of $650 million over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, increasing our contribution by over 20 per cent. This new pledge brings Canada’s total commitment to over $2.1 billion since the inception of the Global Fund in 2002. Additionally, the Government is providing $1.4 billion over three years to the International Development Association, the arm of the World Bank that provides support to the world’s poorest countries.

Going forward, the Government will continue to seek ways to improve the governance, coherence and effectiveness of its international aid spending.

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