Horwath listens to families and has a plan to support caregivers

TORONTO — Andrea Horwath, Leader of Ontario New Democrats, says it’s time to clean up corruption at Queen’s Park so government can focus on priorities for families. The NDP Leader talked about her plan to help people providing home care for a loved one by creating a caregiver tax credit that will give families some help to make life more affordable.

“Families are telling me they want to help their parents stay in their own homes longer but the amount of care and support can put a lot of pressure on the family budget.  People who make the choice to provide care for a loved one deserve a break. It helps families. It helps our health system and it makes sense,” said Horwath. “For ten years we’ve watched as Liberals allowed millions of health dollars to be wasted on speed boats for executives at ORNGE. It’s time to respect people’s money and family’s priorities.”

The NDP caregiver tax credit is a fully refundable benefit available for people who are giving ongoing voluntary care to a family member, friend, or neighbor in Ontario.  The care recipient must be assessed and approved to require a level of Home Care.

“Seniors deserve the dignity to live safely in their homes without feeling like a burden to their family.  Our plan respects the needs of families and keeps people in their communities.”

Under the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals families are waiting longer in emergency rooms, for longer term care beds and home care support.  Instead of focusing on priorities that matter Liberals wasted billions on huge CEO bonuses, eHealth mismanagement, ORNGE scandal and gas plant corruption.

“For 10 long years the Liberals have put themselves ahead of the people they serve.  Our plan will clean up corruption, cut ER wait times in half, take the HST off hydro, keep schools open and reward companies that invest and create jobs here in Ontario.  It’s a plan that makes sense.”