Talking Turkey on Taxes

This commentary gives thanks to the three million Canadians who provide informal care to infirm or aging parents, or to relatives with severe disabilities.  While most caregivers would not want to give up their caregiving role, many admit that it can create onerous financial strains, which threaten to push them into poverty.  These pressures arise from paying for basics for family members unable to work; reducing work hours or leaving employment altogether; and covering additional age-  or disability-related expenses.  In recognition of these three ghosts of poverty, Ottawa provides modest income tax relief through the caregiver credit and infirm dependant credit.  The paper discusses the limitations of these measures and proposes preferred options for caregiver support.

ISBN – 1-55382-405-9