Jim Flaherty was an exceptional minister of finance, not only because he oversaw management of the Canadian economy during a deep recession domestically and a financial crisis globally, or because he delivered 10 federal budgets, but, because, in that position, he was a true champion to the disability community in this country.
As well as a stalwart budget manager, he was a determined social-policy maker.
Even during tough economic times, Flaherty continued to bring forward initiatives to advance the status of Canadians with disabilities.
Just last month, when he stepped down as minister of finance, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities sent him a letter expressing appreciation for his good work and support. The CCD thanked Flaherty for continually raising disability issues in his speeches and presentations, and for his willingness to sit down regularly with members of disability groups to hear about their experiences, concerns, ideas and goals.
I last met with Flaherty in December at a breakfast meeting on Parliament Hill with a number of disability advocates and family members. We were there to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and, quite frankly, to lobby the finance minister for further reforms before the upcoming budget.
On that day, his Irish charm and wit were readily apparent. Also, his strong commitment and vision to Canadians with diverse abilities, as he said it that day, were clearly unmistakable.
There will be much talk of what will be his legacy.
In terms of issues confronting the more than four million Canadians with disabilities and, by extension, the further millions of people in their families, his legacy is concrete, substantial and, of course, unfinished. Always, there is more that can and should be done, especially for the most vulnerable and absent citizens.
The creation of the Registered Disability Savings Program will make a significant difference for many Canadians with disabilities and their families. It is one of the most generous and innovative programs within government and the first of its kind in the world.
Flaherty’s leadership was commendable in ensuring that provinces do not claw back future benefits from social assistance, and in working with financial institutions to find new ways to support people with cognitive disabilities open an RDSP, persons typically considered not able to manage such financial investments.
Under Flaherty’s leadership, we saw the establishment of the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the creation of the Working Income Tax Benefit, which has a disability supplement benefit, expansion of the Opportunities Fund (an employment preparation program for people not eligible for services funded under the employment-insurance system), extension of the Child Disability Benefit, formation of the Employers Disability Forum and, in his final budget, funding of $11.4 million over four years to support job training for people with autism spectrum disorder, and $15 million over three years for initiatives to connect employers with youth and working-age adults with developmental disabilities.
Flaherty also co-sponsored a study on employment for persons with disabilities in the private sector. That study made a business case, perhaps the most explicit to date by the federal government, for employing people with disabilities.
Benefits identified for businesses include an educated and talented group of workers, improved company culture and reputation among the public, greater employee loyalty and commitment, lower turnover rates, thus reducing costs of training new employees, and more effective marketing to customer segments of people with disabilities.
That employers are not doing this on a widespread scale already indicates the challenges and the attitudinal changes still required, and suggest that legislated change might be required to break these barriers.
Flaherty made a difference, moving Canada toward being more inclusive and accessible. We hope others in the Conservative party will replicate his commitment and continue to bring forward initiatives to ensure that Canadians with disabilities share equally in the goods and services of our country.
Flaherty had been the primary supporter of the disability community during the time of the Harper government. Who will embrace that leadership role now? Who will continue the work that needs to be done?
Michael J. Prince is Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy at the University of Victoria and member of the social policy committee of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.
