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The Liberal government’s plan to simplify access to the disability tax credit is being welcomed by opposition parties and disability advocates, who say the changes are long overdue.
The proposals, outlined in Tuesday’s spring economic update, aim to reduce the administrative burden on Canadians applying for the credit, which is intended to help offset the higher costs of living with a disability.
The disability tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit that can reduce income tax owed by eligible Canadians with disabilities by a maximum of just over $1,500 for adults.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre praised the measures in the House of Commons.
To qualify, applicants must have their disability certified by a medical practitioner, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, psychologist, or optometrist. Applications are then submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency, which reviews the certification and decides whether to approve or reject it.
Advocates have long argued the process can be complex, time-consuming, and costly—sometimes requiring professional assistance to complete—creating barriers for people the program is meant to support.
While the proposed reforms were broadly welcomed, some disability advocates say additional changes may still be needed to fully streamline the system and improve access.
