The release of Ottawa’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement on Monday was overshadowed by internal turmoil within the Liberal Party. But the statement includes some measures which could have important implications for Canadians, particularly low-income Canadians and caregivers.
Among them is the government’s plan to create a new refundable tax credit for personal support workers. The statement says this credit may be modelled after an existing tax credit for volunteer firefighters. That credit allows volunteer firefighters to claim $3,000 if they complete at least 200 hours of work as a volunteer firefighter.
“The proposed refundable tax credit for personal support workers is very good news for care providers across the country who work in high skill but low wage jobs,” said James Janeiro, director of policy and government outreach at the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence in a statement. “This is a step towards proper recognition of care providers as critical parts of the care economy.”