TOUCHDOWN Flaherty: Tax-free fund to help disabled

Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty reacted positively to an expert panel report that recommended Canadian families be allowed to amass up to $200,000 tax-free in a fund, similar to an RRSP, and use the money to help with the costs of caring for disabled children.

Asked about the recommendation by the Globe and Mail, Flaherty said: "I would be surprised if that weren't in the budget." It earned a positive story that will be good news for the parents of disabled children this holiday season.

It showed that Flaherty is willing to listen. And it didn’t damage the initiative. If anything, the positive support Flaherty and his government are likely to hear as a result of the article will probably only increase the chances of it happening.

And besides, it will be in the news again – another communications plus – when the budget is actually announced. Since there was no downside to his honest reaction, the Finance Minister earned a Touchdown.