They Did It!

So much for attempting to change the subject...
This arrived in my inbox from PLAN today.

Public Policy Update December 2007

WE DID IT!

RDSP receives Royal Assent

After an 8 year campaign, PLAN’s proposal for a Disability Savings Plan is now a fact. On Friday December 14th the RDSP received royal ascent after passing third reading in both the House of Commons and the Senate.

The RDSP is historic and noteworthy for a number of reasons:

Canada is the first country in the world to offer a Registered Disability Savings Plan.

The Federal Government has budgeted $115 million in matching Canada Disability Savings Grants and Bonds in for 2008-09.

An estimated 700,000 Canadians with disabilities and their families will be affected.

Provincial Governments will be forced to the asset limits for disability benefits and to eliminate claw-back. (See sidebar for changes already made by the Government of British Columbia.)

The Federal Government has emphatically declared that they trust families and people with disabilities. There are no restrictions on what the RDSP can be spent on.

PLAN is now working with financial institutions and the federal government to ensure the RDSP is offered as a "product" in every financial institution in the country as quickly as possible.

Write and thank Federal Minister Flaherty for his commitment to people with disabilities and our families.

So great news, that!

As I understand it, PLAN has been a, make that the, leader in having the Federal government create the RDSP.

So, if you're interested in helping them continue with their good work

Three Ways to Support Our Voice in Ottawa

• Become a PLAN Associate, get great benefits and support our public policy voice.


• Become a monthly donor and make a supporter of our work to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live good lives.


• Make a year end donation to PLAN and enable us to continue to work in Ottawa to make it easier for families achieve peace of mind.
  
  
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  Contact Information:
  
  Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN)
  #260-3665 Kingsway - Vancouver BC V5R 5W2
  Phone: 604.439.9566 - Fax: 604.439.7001
  Email: inquiries@plan.ca - Website: http://www.plan.ca