Miramichi (New Brunswick) - The Government of Canada has launched an advertising campaign to promote the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and its matching grant and bond, which encourage people with disabilities and their families to save for their long-term financial security.

Following Tuesday’s national announcement in Toronto, Tilly O’Neill Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, highlighted the awareness campaign on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“This initiative builds on our government’s ongoing work to help improve the lives of people with disabilities,” said O’Neill Gordon. “Through this campaign, our goal is to help as many people as possible benefit from the savings plan and its related grant and bond.”

The RDSP, the Canada Disability Savings Grant and the Canada Disability Savings Bond are available across Canada through several financial institutions. 

RDSPs can be opened until the year the beneficiary turns 59. To help eligible individuals save, the Government will pay a matching grant of up to $3,500 a year on their contributions. The Government will also pay a bond of up to $1,000 a year into the RDSPs of low‑ and modest-income Canadians. No contributions are necessary to receive the bond. Earnings accumulate tax-free until money is taken out of the RDSP.

“Our government invests in programs and services to meet the needs of Canadians with disabilities and is committed to their equal participation in all aspects of life,” added O’Neill Gordon.

The national advertising campaign focuses on creating awareness of the RDSP, its benefits, eligibility criteria and how to obtain more information. The campaign, which includes radio and print advertisements, was launched on July 6, 2009, and runs to the end of July. 

For more information on the RDSP, the grant and the bond, including a list of participating financial institutions, please visit the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada Web site at www.disabilitysavings.gc.ca.

Further information on the Government of Canada’s initiatives that help people with disabilities can be found in the attached backgrounder.

For information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.