The Editor:
Which one are you?
Rosalynn Carter, the late First Lady, wisely said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those that have been caregivers, those that are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.”
Which one are you?
With the aging population and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadians found themselves thrust into the role of caregiver for their loved ones, yet don’t see themselves as caregivers because caring for a loved one is just what you do.
As a Member of Parliament, I thank you for taking on this important work and ask you to consider that you just might be a caregiver.
Caregiving holds with it an intricate web of responsibilities and the toll it takes to provide care is real.
From assisting with daily activities to navigating complex healthcare systems, caregivers are the unsung heroes whose tireless efforts ensure the well-being of their family members.
The financial implications of caregiving are real as well and there is a rarely known federal tax credit to assist with those costs.
The Canada Caregiver Credit is a financial support measure aimed at offering an offset to some of the economic costs of providing the much-needed care to a loved one.
If you support a spouse or common-law partner, or a dependant with a physical or mental impairment, the Canada caregiver credit (CCC) might be for you.
It is a non-refundable tax credit and eligibility can be confirmed here.
I have heard so many stories from caregivers across the country highlighting their resilience, love and dedication. I receive phone calls, emails and talk to people all the time about their experiences as care givers and they have an invaluable role in sustaining our healthcare system and improving the quality of life for their loved ones.
In the spirit of building a more compassionate and supportive Canada, it is time to elevate the conversation around caregiving, educate people about the Canada Caregiver Credit and implement a holistic approach that acknowledges and honours these unsung heroes among us.
- Bonita Zarrillo, MP for Port Moody–Coquitlam, NDP Critic for Disability Inclusion, NDP Critic for Infrastructure and Communities and NDP Deputy Critic for Health
