Flaherty lauded for ‘ championing’ cause of disabled

OTTAWA — Advocates for disabled people say they were hit hard by the loss of former finance minister Jim Flaherty, who left behind a legacy of caring for the vulnerable.

Flaherty held the issue close to his heart: one of his triplets, John, has a mental disability and this was a catalyst in his desire to ensure that the needs of the disabled were addressed.

“I think the thing he wants to be remembered for most, and the thing I most appreciated from him … was his championing of the cause of disabled folks,” said Peter Van Loan, the government House leader. “Not just through government policies and programs, but also a lot of moral leadership.”

“I know he touched a lot of people in the results that produced,” he added.

Flaherty tried to include something helping those with disabilities in each of his budgets, dating back even to 2001 when he was with the Ontario government.

That provincial budget included $ 67 million, spread over five years, to build new living quarters for adults living with disabilities.

But the federal legislation for which he will be best remembered among champions of disabled people is the Registered Disabilities Savings Plan, which was included in the 2007 federal budget.

The RDSP, which works similarly to a Registered Education Savings Plan, was viewed by the disabled community as a significant step.

“This did not garner headlines,” said NDP House leader Peter Julian, “but it will benefit the lives of Canadians with disabilities for years and for decades to come.”

Tony Dolan, national chairman for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, pointed to the RDSP, as well as the Enabling Accessibility Fund, as key changes Flaherty helped bring about.

The EAF, which supports construction methods to improve physical accessibility to buildings, was created in 2007.

Even when they disagreed, said Dolan, Flaherty had the best interests of the disabled at heart. Dolan said he was thankful for Flaherty’s dedication to the cause, even in the face of an economic crisis.

“Despite the downturn of the economy, he did not say ‘ OK, we’ll wait until things are better.’ He said, ‘ OK, we need to take action now.’ ”

BRENT FOSTER/ POSTMEDIA FILES Jim Flaherty, former finance minister, helps his son John try on skates in 2007. John, who has a mental disability, was the catalyst in Flaherty’s desire to support those with disabilities.