Deceptive

In this one they reiterated the legislation to me as if I couldn't understand it. What I really should have added is that any of the contributions from the government assume a lot: that you actually have an amount of your own to put in savings. It sounds wonderful when the government tells you they'll contribute up to 70,000 to your bank account, but they don't bother telling exactly how you're going to deposit even a minimum like 500 dollars per year when your income is 1500 per month and the cost of living is quite high. You just wouldn't have any money left for savings. I think the contribution amounts should be higher without life-time limits. Remember, I'm supposed to be "severely handicapped," so I need more consideration.

August 26, 2013

Legislature Office

208 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada, T5K 2B6

Dear Fred Horne:

I'm writing to you regarding the Canada Disability Savings Act.

I find it unfair in several ways.

First, I don't understand why there must be a limit as to what you can earn over a life-time. If I cannot work or earn an income, or my ability to do so is limited, these are circumstances outside of my control. So legislation capping the amount paid at no more that $70,000 in Canada Disability Savings Grants limits me in what I can save for circumstances that are out of my control. The same holds true for a life-time contribution of only 200,000 dollars. (In fact, this also pushed the responsibility of governments to support people who have medical reasons to others, like family). This is discrimination, since no other limits for others who do not have medical reasons exist in what they can save or what a corporation will contribute do to their reasons as a matter of law. The same holds true for the yearly amount capped at $10,500 per year.

The support provided for the amount contributed per year is also inadequate. It sates that 300 percent is given to amounts equal or under 500 dollars, which amounts to only 2000 dollars in total per year. However, as you know, that amount in a year will buy very little, although it appears to be a lot if saved over 10 years. 20,000 as a yearly salary is living below the poverty line. So it is difficult to see how this is a significant contribution to people who are struggling due to their medical reasons. At best, this money might be used for a vehicle or a down-payment on a mortgage after ten years, but the money provided monthly by AISH payments would be inadequate to maintain either. The same holds true for a yearly amount of $4500 in total (200 percent) for a yearly contribution of a maximum of 1500 dollars, or 1000 dollars in other amounts of contribution per year. The appearances of generosity are grossly deceiving. People are being kept in poverty through legislation by limiting the amount the Government of Canada is willing to support and by how much people are allowed to save per year and in their life-time. Legislation does not describe the same for others receiving income from corporations.

Though I understand limits for government support, it would be prudent for the sake of fairness and equality to ensure that people with medical reasons are free to accumulate as much wealth as they are able, just like everyone else. Remove the limitations currently established in legislation, and where possible, provide something substantial so that people who have medical reasons can live life with dignity.

Thank you for your time.

Yours,

X