Thalidomide survivor calls on government to boost annual payment

Jan 10, 2019 | 2:42 PM

OTTAWA — Thalidomide survivor Fiona Sampson says a Health Canada revamp of a compensation program doesn’t boost annual payments to a level that could make the difference between independence and institutionalization.

Changes to the federal program announced on Wednesday include an increase to a lump-sum payment for survivors — a boost to $250,000 from $125,000.

Sampson says she welcomes that but she and a group of survivors are upset the government didn’t also increase annual payments for victims suffering long-term harms from the now-banned pregnancy drug.

Health Canada currently provides annual tax-free payments to survivors ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 based on individual disability level and Sampson’s group wants that range raised to $75,000 to $150,000.

SGI

July proves the most deadly month for impaired driving, SGI

15h ago

Union strike

WestJet cancels more than 150 flights following surprise mechanics union strike

Jun 30, 2024

Missing person

P.A. Police searching for missing youth

Jun 29, 2024

Changes to the existing thalidomide support program are to take effect in the spring and will also include a boost to an emergency medical assistance fund from $500,0000 to $1 million.

The announcement received praise from a separate group — the Thalidomide Survivors Taskforce — that thanked Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor for working to improve the lives of Canada’s thalidomide survivors.

The Canadian Press