PART C -DECISION UNDER APPEAL The decision under appeal is the reconsideration decision of the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (the ministry) dated December 3, 2018, which held that the appellant did not meet 3 of the 5 statutory requirements of section 2 of the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act for designation as a person with disabilities (PWD). The ministry found that the appellant met the age and duration requirements, but was not satisfied that: • the appellant has a severe physical and/or mental impairment; • the appellant's daily living activities (DLA) are, in the opinion of a prescribed professional, directly and significantly restricted either continuously or periodically for extended periods; and • as a result of those restrictions, the appellant requires an assistive device, the significant help or supervision of another person, or the services of an assistance animal to perform DLA. PART D -RELEVANT LEGISLATION Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act (EAPWDA), section 2 Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Regulation (EAPWDR), section 2
PART E -SUMMARY OF FACTS The information before the ministry at the time of reconsideration consisted of the following: • The information before the ministry at the time of reconsideration included the appellant's PWD application comprised of a Medical Report (MR) and an Assessor Report (AR) both completed by the appellant's general practitioner (the "GP") and dated September 29, 2018. The GP has known the appellant since 1990 and saw the appellant 11 or more times in the past 12 months prior to completing the PWD application. The PWD application also included the appellant's Self Report (SR) dated September 26, 2018. • An itemized list of the appellant's medication dated from June 2018-September 2018. • The evidence included the appellant's Request for Reconsideration (RFR) dated November 1 0, 2018. In the RFR the appellant described his mobility challenges, which included, in part, the following: • "In my walking ability, I have not been able to walk without a cane". • "I have difficulty using stairs, lifting, shopping". • "I am able to cook for myself using microwave mostly". • "Can only shower once a week". Diagnoses In the MR, the GP diagnosed the appellant with diabetes (onset 1990) and reactive arthritis (onset 2017). Physical Impairment In the MR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • "[the appellant] has been having arthritis of his lower legs primarily -in particular his ankles and feet. The inflammation is severe, to the extent that he has trouble walking around even with the use of a cane on bad days". • He can walk unaided less than 1 block, with a cane ca n climb 5 steps, can lift 5-15 lbs and remain seated without limit. In the AR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • The appellant uses a cane to walk indoors/outdoors and climb stairs. • Standing, lifting, and carrying/holding are performed independently. In the SR, the appellant stated, in part, the following: • He has extensive medical history. • He had to use a walker and cane due to his reactive arthritis. • In the past two weeks his feet have become inflamed and sore, and he has pain in his right thumb, toes, shoulder and neck. Mental Impairment In the MR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • There are no difficulties with communication. • There are no significant deficits with cognitive and emotional function. In the AR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • The ability to communicate (speak, read, hear and write) is good. • Under 'coanitive and emotional functioninn' and 'social functionina', the GP indicated "N/A"
• The section regarding immediate and extended social networks was left blank by the GP. In the SR, the appellant made no mention of a mental impairment. Daily Living Activities In the MR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • He does not use medication that interferes with his ability to perform his DLA. In the AR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • All DLA listed under the categories of 'personal care', 'basic housekeeping', 'meals', 'pay rent/bills', 'medications', 'transportation' and 'social functioning' are performed independently. • All DLA listed under 'shopping' requires the use of a cane to perform. This includes: 'going to/from stores', 'reading prices and labels', 'making appropriate choices', paying for purchase' and 'carrying purchases home'. Help In the MR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • "The inflammation is severe, to the extent that he has trouble walking around even with the use of a cane on bad days". • In response to 'does the applicant require any prostheses or aides for his impairment?', GP indicated 'yes' and commented "uses a cane at limes". In the AR, the GP indicated the following about the appellant: • In response to 'The help required for DLA is provided by', the GP indicated family and friends. • For assistance provided through the use of assistive devices the GP indicated a cane. • No assistance is provided by assistance animals. In the SR, the appellant did not mention needing help from others or the use of assistance animals and mentioned the use of a cane and walker for mobility. In the RFR, the appellant stated that he gets help with cooking. Evidence on Appeal Notice of Appeal (NOA), signed and dated December 10, 2018, which stated, in part, that the appellant has arthritis that leaves him only able to go to the washroom, and that he has been able to do very little walking without a cane. The panel finds that the NOA contains the appellant's argument and notes that no additional evidence or information was provided. Prior to the hearing the appellant submitted a letter for support from his landlord. The unsigned and undated letter stated, in part, the following: • Since December 2017 the appellant's ability to care for himself has deteriorated and he has made several trips to the hospital. • He has fallen several times and is unable to get up. • For the appellant, the landlord has been cooking, doing laundry, cleaning and lending money for the bus and personal hygiene products. Evidence at the Hearing
A t t h e h e a r i n g t h e a p p e l l a n t s u b m i t t e d a l e t t e r f r o m s t a t e d , i n p a r t , " [ t h e a p p e l l a n t ] h a s n o t b e e n a b l e t o i n f l a m m a t o r y p r o c e s s i n h i s r i g h t f o o t n o t y e t d i a g n o A t t h e h e a r i n g t h e a p p e l l a n t r e i t e r a t e d t h e i n f o r m a t i t h e R F R a n d N O A . T h e a p p e l l a n t ' s t e s t i m o n y f o c u s h i s d i a b e t e s . H e a l s o a d d e d , i n p a r t , t h e f o l l o w i n g : • H i s t r e a t m e n t s ( i n j e c t i o n s ) a n d m e d i c a t i o n fo • H i s a rt h r i t i s m e d i c a t i o n e l e v a t e s h i s s u g a r l e T h e r e f o r e h e h a s h a d t o c u t d o w n o n h i s a rt • H e u s e d t o w o r k i n c o n s t r u c t i o n b u t c a n n o t n p e r d a y w h i c h h i s e m p l o y e r l i k e l y w i l l n o t a l l • I f h e w a l k s t o t h e b u s s t o p h e w i l l h a v e t o r e • I t t a k e s h i m 2 0 -2 5 m i n u t e s t o w a l k 1 b l o c k . • H e c a n n o t c l e a n h i s p r e m i s e s . • H e c a n s h o w e r o n l y o n c e p e r w e e k a n d h a s n i g h t s o h e k e e p s a b o t t l e b y h i s b e d s i d e . • H i s p a i n k i l l e r s h e l p h i m f u n c t i o n . • H e i s u n c l e a r w h y h i s G P d i d n o t e l a b o r a t e i m p a c t s h i s d a i l y f u n c t i o n i n g . • H i s G P h a s r e t i r e d a n d h e n o l o n g e r h a s a f a p p l i c a t i o n . • H e c a n n o t a ff o r d t o l i v e o n w h a t h e c u r r e n t l y h i m s e l f . T h e m i n i s t r y w a s n o t i n a t t e n d a n c e a t t h e h e a r i n g . h e a r i n g p r o c e e d e d u n d e r S e c t i o n 8 6 ( b ) o f t h e E m p A d m i s s ib i l i t y o f A d d i t i o n a l I n fo r m a t i o n S e c t i o n 2 2 ( 4 ) o f t h e E m p l o ym e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e A ( i . e . t a k e i n t o a c c o u n t i n m a k i n g i t s d e c i s i o n ) t h e i n fo w h e n t h e d e c i s i o n b e i n g a p p e a l e d w a s m a d e a n d " i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e c o r d s " b e f o r e t h e m i n i s t e r w h e n t i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t s u b s t a n t i a t e s o r c o r r o b o r a t e s t h e i n r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . T h e s e l i m i t a t i o n s r e f l e c t t h e j u r i s d i c E AA t o d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e m i n i s t r y ' s r e c o n s i d e v i d e n c e o r a r e a s o n a b l e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e e n a c t m p a n e l s a r e l i m i t e d t o d e t e r m i n i n g i f t h e m i n i s t r y ' s d e o f d e c i s i o n m a k e r s o f t h e f i r s t i n s t a n c e . A c c o r d i n g l y t h e m i n t h a t r o l e . T h e p a n e l f o u n d t h a t t h e u n s i g n e d a n d u n d a t e d l e t t d e t a i l o r d i s c l o s e d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t w a s i n s u p p o rt o a d d r e s s e d i n t h e r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n . A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e s u p p o r t o f i n f o r m a t i o n a n d r e c o r d s t h a t w e r e b e f o r e a c c o r d a n c e w i t h s . 2 2 ( 4 ) o f t h e E m p l o y m e n t a n d A s T h e p a n e l f o u n d t h a t t h e D e c e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 l e t t e r d i s c l o s e d i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t w a s i n s u o o o r t o f t h e i n f o h i s G P , s i g n e d a n d d a t e d D e c e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 , w h i c h w o r k i n D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 7 a s h e h a s h a d a n s e d c a u s i n g s i g n i f i c a n t p a i n " . o n c o n t a i n e d i n t h e l e t t e r f r o m h i s l a n d l o r d , t h e S R , e d o n h i s d i a b e t e s a n d t h e i m p a c t o f h i s a rt h r i t i s o n r h i s a r t h r i t i s d o n o t h e l p . v e l s a n d h e h a s d i ff i c u l t y m a n a g i n g h i s s u g a r l e v e l s . h r i t i s m e d i c a t i o n . o w b e c a u s e h e h a s t o c h e c k h i s s u g a r l e v e l s 5 t i m e s o w . s t f o r 2 -3 d a y s . d i ff i c u l t y g e t t i n g t o t h e w a s h r o o m i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e o n h i s e x t e n s i v e m e d i c a l h i s t o r y o r h o w h i s a rt h r i t i s a m i l y d o c t o r t o t u r n t o f o r h e l p w i t h h i s P W D r e c e i v e s . H e c a n n o t a f f o r d t o b e s i c k o r t a k e c a r e o f A f t e r c o n f i r m i n g t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y w a s n o t i f i e d , t h e l o y m e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e R e g u l a t i o n . c t ( E A A ) p r o v i d e s t h a t p a n e l s m a y a d m i t a s e v i d e n c e r m a t i o n a n d r e c o r d s t h a t w e r e b e f o r e t h e m i n i s t e r o r a l a n d w r i t t e n t e s t i m o n y i n s u p p o rt o f t h e h e d e c i s i o n b e i n g a p p e a l e d w a s m a d e i . e . f o r m a t i o n t h a t w a s b e f o r e t h e m i n i s t e r a t t i o n o f t h e p a n e l e s t a b l i s h e d u n d e r s e c t i o n 2 4 o f t h e e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n i s r e a s o n a b l y s u p p o r t e d b y t h e e n t i n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f a n a p p e l l a n t . T h a t i s , c i s i o n i s r e a s o n a b l e a n d a r e n o t t o a s s u m e t h e r o l e , p a n e l s c a n n o t a d m i t i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t w o u l d p l a c e e r f r o m t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s l a n d l o r d p r o v i d e d a d d i t i o n a l f t h e i n f o r m a t i o n o r c o r r o b o r a t e d t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p a n e l h a s a d m i t t e d t h i s n e w i n f o r m a t i o n a s b e i n g i n t h e m i n i s t r y a t t h e t i m e o f r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n , i n s i s t a n c e . f r o m t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s G P p r o v i d e d a d d i t i o n a l d e t a i l o r r m a t i o n o r c o r r o b o r a t e d t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n
the reconsideration. Accordingly, the panel has admitted this new information as being in support of information and records that were before the ministry at the time of reconsideration, in accordance with s. 22(4) of the Employment and Assistance Act. However the panel places little weight on this information as it does not speak to whether or not the appellant has a severe impairment, that his severe impairment directly and significantly restricts his ability to perform his DLA either continuously or periodically for extended periods, or that as a result of his severe impairment the appellant requires help to perform his DLA.
P A R T F R E A S O N S F O R P A N E L D E C I S I O N T h e i s s u e o n a p p e a l i s w h e t h e r t h e m i n i s t r y ' s d e c i s r e a s o n a b l y s u p p o rt e d b y t h e e v i d e n c e o r w a s a r e a t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f t h e a p p e l l a n t . I n p a r t i c u l a r , w a s a t i s f i e d t h a t • t h e a p p e l l a n t h a s a s e v e r e p h y s i c a l a n d / o r • t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t i e s ( D LA ) a a n d s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t e d e i t h e r c o n t i n u o u s • a s a r e s u l t o f t h o s e r e s t r i c t i o n s , i n t h e o p i n i o h e l p , a s i t i s d e fi n e d i n t h e l e g i s l a t i o n , t o p e R e l e v a n t L e g i s l a t i o n E A P W D A 2 ( 1 ) I n t h i s s e c t i o n : " a s s i s t i v e d e v i c e " m e a n s a d e v i c e d e s i g n e d t o e n b e c a u s e o f a s e v e r e m e n t a l o r p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t " d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t y " h a s t h e p r e s c r i b e d m e a n i n g " p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l " h a s t h e p r e s c r i b e d m e ( 2 ) T h e m i n i s t e r m a y d e s i g n a t e a p e r s o n w h o h a s r f o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f t h i s A c t i f t h e m i n i s t e r i s s a t i s f i e i m p a i r m e n t t h a t ( a ) i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a m e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r o r n u r s a n d ( b ) i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l ( i ) d i r e c t l y a n d s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t s t h e p e r ( A ) c o n t i n u o u s l y , o r ( B ) p e r i o d i c a l l y f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s , a n ( i i ) a s a r e s u l t o f t h o s e r e s t r i c t i o n s , t h e p e r s ( 3 ) F o r t h e p u r p o s e s o f s u b s e c t i o n ( 2 ) , ( a ) a p e r s o n w h o h a s a s e v e r e m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n ( b ) a p e r s o n r e q u i r e s h e l p i n r e l a t i o n t o a d a i l y l i v r e q u i r e s ( i ) a n a s s i s t i v e d e v i c e , ( i i ) t h e s i g n i f i c a n t h e l p o r s u p e rv i s i o n o f a n o ( i i i ) t h e s e r v i c e s o f a n a s s i s t a n c e a n i m a l . ( 4 ) T h e m i n i s t e r m a y r e s c i n d a d e s i g n a t i o n u n d e r s E A P W D Ri o n t o d e n y t h e a p p e l l a n t d e s i g n a t i o n a s a P W D w a s s o n a b l e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e a p p l i c a b l e e n a c t m e n t i n s t h e m i n i s t ry r e a s o n a b l e w h e n c o n c l u d i n g i t w a s n o t m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t ; r e , i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l , d i r e c t l y l y o r p e r i o d i c a l l y f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s ; a n d n o f a p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l , t h e a p p e l l a n t r e q u i r e s rf o r m D L A ? a b l e a p e r s o n t o p e rf o r m a d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t y t h a t , , t h e p e r s o n i s u n a b l e t o p e r f o r m ; ; a n i n g . e a c h e d 1 8 y e a r s o f a g e a s a p e r s o n w i t h d i s a b i l i t i e s d t h a t t h e p e r s o n h a s a s e v e r e m e n t a l o r p h y s i c a l e p r a c t i t i o n e r i s l i k e l y t o c o n t i n u e f o r a t l e a s t 2 y e a r s , s o n ' s a b i l i t y t o p e r f o r m d a i l y l i v i n g a c t i v i t i e s e i t h e r d o n r e q u i r e s h e l p t o p e r f o r m t h o s e a c t i v i t i e s . t i n c l u d e s a p e r s o n w i t h a m e n t a l d i s o r d e r , a n d i n g a c t i v i t y i f , i n o r d e r t o p e rf o r m i t , t h e p e r s o n t h e r p e r s o n , o r u b s e c t i o n ( 2 ) .
Definitions for Act 2 (1) For the purposes of the Act and this regulation, "daily living activities", (a) in relation to a person who has a severe physical impairment or a severe mental impairment, means the following activities: (i) prepare own meals; (ii) manage personal finances; (iii)shop for personal needs; (iv) use public or personal transportation facilities; (v) perform housework to maintain the person's place of residence in acceptable sanitary condition; (vi) move about indoors and outdoors; (vii) perform personal hygiene and self care; (viii) manage personal medication, and (b) in relation to a person who has a severe mental impairment, includes the following activities: {i) make decisions about personal activities, care or finances; (ii) relate to, communicate or interact with others effectively. (2) For the purposes of the Act, "prescribed professional" means a person who is (a)authorized under an enactment to practice the profession of (i) medical practitioner, (ii) registered psychologist, (iii) registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse, (iv) occupational therapist, (v) physical therapist, (vi) social worker, (vii) chiropractor, or (viii) nurse practitioner, or (b) acting in the course of the person's employment as a school psychologist by (i)an authority, as that term is defined in section 1 (1) of the Independent School Act, or (ii) a board or a francophone education authority, as those terms are defined in section 1 (1) of the School Act, if qualifications in psychology are a condition of such employment. (3) The definition of "parent" in section 1 (1) applies for the purposes of the definition of "dependent child" in section 1 (1) of the Act. Panel Decision Severe lmnairment
I n t h e r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n , t h e m i n i s t r y w a s n o s e v e r e p h y s i c a l o r m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t . D e t e r m i n i n g w e i g h i n g t h e e v i d e n c e p r o v i d e d a g a i n s t t h e n a t u r e l i m i t a t i o n s . A d i a g n o s i s o f a s e r i o u s m e d i c a l c o n d i t i e s t a b l i s h a s e v e r e i m p a i r m e n t . A n " i m p a i r m e n t " i s p e r s o n ' s a b i l i t y t o f u n c t i o n i n d e p e n d e n t l y o r e ff e c t i v m i n i s t r y m u s t c o n s i d e r t h e n a t u r e o f t h e i m p a i r m e n t T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t e m p l o y a b i l i t y i s n o t a c o n s i d e r a e m p l o y a b i l i t y i s n o t a c r i t e r i o n i n s e c t i o n 2 ( 2 ) o f t h e l i v i n g a c t i v i t i e s i n s e c t i o n 2 o f t h e E A P W D R . P h y s i c a l I m p a i r m e n t T h e a p p e l l a n t ' s p o s i t i o n i s t h a t h i s r e a c t i v e a r t h r i t i s a r e s o r e a n d p a i n f u l , a n d h e c a n n o t w a l k w i t h o u t t h t h e b u s s t o p h e i s b e d r i d d e n f o r 2 -3 d a y s a f t e r . H e a rt h r i t i s m e d i c a t i o n e l e v a t e s h i s s u g a r l e v e l s . T h e m i n i s t r y a r g u e d t h a t b a s e d o n t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p o f t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s p h y s i c a l f u n c t i o n i n g h a s n o t b e e n T h e m i n i s t r y n o t e d t h a t i n t h e M R , t h e G P i n d i c a t e d a n d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t c a n w a l k l e s s t h a n 1 b l o c k u n 5 -1 5 l b s a n d r e m a i n s e a t e d w i t h o u t l i m i t a t i o n . T h e m i n i s t r y n o t e d t h a t i n t h e A R , t h e G P i n d i c a t e d w a l k i n g i n d o o r / o u t d o o r a n d c l i m b i n g s t a i r s w i t h t h e c a r r y i n g / h o l d i n g a r e p e rf o r m e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y . T h e e x p l a i n h o w o ft e n t h e a p p e l l a n t r e q u i r e s t h e u s e o f i t i s n o t c e rt a i n t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t e x p e r i e n c e s a s e v i m p a i r s h i s a b i l i t y t o f u n c t i o n i n d e p e n d e n t l y w h i l e u s T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y r e a s o n a b l y c o n c l u t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s p h y s i c a l f u n c t i o n i n g d o e s n o t s u p p o p a n e l a l s o n o t e d t h a t t h e r e i s a d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a p p l i c a t i o n a n d t h e t e s t i m o n y o f t h e a p p e l l a n t a n d h h i s l a n d l o r d c o o k s , c l e a n s a n d d o e s l a u n d r y f o r h i m f o r 2 -3 d a y s , w h i c h t h e G P d i d n o t a d d r e s s i n t h e P e x p l a n a t i o n o r s u p p o rt i n g e v i d e n c e f r o m a p r e s c r i b e t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d i n t h e R F R a n d t h e l e t t e r f r I n t e r m s o f p h y s i c a l m o b i l i t y , t h e p a n e l n o t e d t h a t t h t o w a l k i n d o o r / o u t d o o r a n d c l i m b s t a i r s w i t h h i s c a n " b a d d a y s " a n d " a t t i m e s " b u t d i d n o t p r o v i d e i n f o r m r e a s o n a b l e t o c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e p h r a s e s " b a d d a y s " t h e c a n e . T h e p a n e l a l s o n o t e d t h a t a t t h e h e a r i n g p i c t u r e o f h i s i m p a i r m e n t b u t n o s u p p o r t i n g e v i d e n c p o s i t i o n . T h e p a n e l c o n s i d e r e d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t s a p p l i c a t i o n i s n o w r e t i r e d a n d t h e r e f o r e h e h a s h a d t h e G P w h o c o m p l e t e d t h e P W D a o o l i c a t i o n h a s k n t s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d e s t a b l i s h e s a a s e v e r e p h y s i c a l o r m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t r e q u i r e s o f t h e i m p a i r m e n t a n d i t s r e p o r t e d f u n c t i o n a l s k i l l o n d o e s n o t i n i t s e l f d e t e r m i n e P W D e l i g i b i l i t y o r a m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n t h a t r e s u l t s i n r e s t r i c t i o n s t o a e l y . T o a s s e s s t h e s e v e r i t y o f a n i m p a i r m e n t , t h e a n d t h e e x t e n t o f i t s i m p a c t o n d a i l y f u n c t i o n i n g . t i o n f o r e l i g i b i l i t y f o r P W D d e s i g n a t i o n b e c a u s e E A P W D A n o r i s i t l i s t e d a m o n g t h e p r e s c r i b e d d a i l y h a s i n f l a m e d h i s fe e t a n d a n k l e s t o t h e p o i n t t h a t t h e y e a s s i s t a n c e o f a c a n e . H e s t a t e d t h a t i f h e w a l k s t o a r g u e d h i s d i a b e t e s i s d i ff i c u l t t o m a n a g e a s h i s r o v i d e d i n t h e P W D a p p l i c a t i o n , a s e v e r e i m p a i r m e n t e s t a b l i s h e d . t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t u s e s a c a n e f o r h i s i m p a i r m e n t a i d e d a n d c l i m b 5 + s t e p s w i t h h i s c a n e , l i ft b e t w e e n t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t c o m p l e t e s t h e p h y s i c a l f u n c t i o n s o f u s e o f a c a n e , w h e r e a s s t a n d i n g , l i f t i n g a n d m i n i s t r y n o t e d t h a t t h e G P p r o v i d e d n o i n f o r m a t i o n t o a c a n e a n d f o r h o w l o n g . T h e m i n i s t r y c o n c l u d e d t h a t e r e d e g r e e o f p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t t h a t s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n g a c a n e . d e d t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n p r o v i d e d b y t h e G P r e g a r d i n g rt a f i n d i n g o f a s e v e r e p h y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t . T h e . t h e a n a l y s i s p r o v i d e d b y t h e G P i n t h e P W D i s l a n d l o r d . T h e p a n e l n o t e s t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t s t a t e d , a n d t h a t i f h e w a l k s t o t h e b u s s t o p h e i s i m m o b i l e W D a p p l i c a t i o n . T h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t w i t h o u t a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l , o n l y m i n i m a l w e i g h t c a n b e p l a c e d o n o m t h e l a n d l o r d . e G P a s s e s s m e n t i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t i s a b l e e a n d t h e G P a l s o s t a t e d t h a t t h e c a n e i s u s e d o n a t i o n a s h o w l o n g o r h o w o ft e n a c a n e i s u s e d . I t i s a n d " a t t i m e s " d e s c r i b e i s o l a t e d o r i n f r e q u e n t u s e o f t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s t e s t i m o n y p a i n t e d a m o r e s e v e r e e f r o m t h e G P w a s p r o v i d e d t o c o n f i r m t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s t a t e d t h a t t h e G P w h o c o m p l e t e d t h a t P W D d i ff i c u l t y o b t a i n i n g a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n . H o w e v e r o w n t h e a o o e l l a n t s i n c e 1 9 9 0 a n d t h e r e f o r e s h o u l d
b e w e l l a w a r e o f t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n a g i v e n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o d e s c r i b e t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s p h o v e r a l l a s s e s s m e n t d e s c r i b e d g o o d p h y s i c a l f u n c t i o G i v e n t h e a s s e s s m e n t s o f t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s f u n c t i o n a a p p l i c a t i o n a n d t h e l a c k o f a d d i t i o n a l o r s u p p o rt i n g i f i n d s t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y w a s r e a s o n a b l e i n i t s d e t e r m i t h a t t h e a p p e l l a n t s u ff e r s f r o m a s e v e r e p h y s i c a l i m S e c t i o n 2 ( 2 ) o f t h e E A P W D A h a v e n o t b e e n m e t . M e n t a l I m p a i r m e n t T h e a p p e l l a n t d i d n o t p r e s e n t a p o s i t i o n r e g a r d i n g m T h e m i n i s t r y ' s p o s i t i o n i s t h a t b a s e d o n t h e a s s e s s m i m p a i r m e n t o f m e n t a l f u n c t i o n i n g h a s n o t b e e n e s t a I n i t s r e c o n s i d e r a t i o n d e c i s i o n , t h e m i n i s t r y n o t e d t h c o m m u n i c a t i o n , t h e r e a r e n o s i g n i f i c a n t d e f i c i t s w i t h n o t e s t h a t i n t h e A R , t h e G P i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e r e w e ( t h e G P i n d i c a t e d " N / A " ) a n d t h a t s p e a k i n g , h e a r i n g T h e p a n e l n o t e d t h a t t h e G P d i d n o t p r o v i d e a d i a g n i n d e p e n d e n t w i t h p e r f o r m i n g a l l l i s t e d i t e m s u n d e r ' m " N / A " o r l e ft b l a n k a l l l i s t e d a s p e c t s o f s o c i a l f u n c t i o G i v e n t h a t t h e a s s e s s m e n t o f t h e a p p e l l a n t ' s m e n t a s e v e r e m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t , t h a t t h e r e i s n o d i a g n o s i a d d i t i o n a l o r s u p p o rt i v e i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m t h e G P w a t h a t t h e m i n i s t r y w a s r e a s o n a b l e i n i t s d e t e r m i n a t i o n a p p e l l a n t s u ff e r s f r o m a s e v e r e m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t a t h e E A P W D A h a v e n o t b e e n m e t . R e s t ri c t i o n s i n t h e a b il i t y t o p e rf o r m D L A S e c t i o n 2 ( 2 ) ( b ) ( i ) o f t h e E A P W D A r e q u i r e s t h a t t h e p r e s c r i b e d p r o f e s s i o n a l , a s e v e r e m e n t a l o r p h y s i c a a p p e l l a n t ' s a b i l i t y t o p e rf o r m D L A e i t h e r c o n t i n u o u s e v i d e n c e m a y b e c o n s i d e r e d f o r c l a r i f i c a t i o n o r s u p p i t i s s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h e l e g i s l a t i v e c r i t e r i a a r e m e t , i s d p r o f e s s i o n a l s . T h e t e r m " d i r e c t l y " m e a n s t h a t t h e r e a n d t h e r e s t r i c t i o n . T h e d i r e c t r e s t r i c t i o n m u s t a l s o b t i m e o r d u r a t i o n t h e d i r e c t a n d s i g n i f i c a n t r e s t r i c t i o m u s t b e f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s . A n y a n a l y s i s o f p e r i o f r e q u e n t l y t h e a c t i v i t y i s r e s t r i c t e d . A l l o t h e r t h i n g s b i s l e s s l i k e l y t o b e s i g n i f i c a n t t h a n o n e t h a t o c c u r s s w h e r e t h e e v i d e n c e i n d i c a t e s t h a t a r e s t r i c t i o n a r i s e r e q u i r e e v i d e n c e o f t h e d u r a t i o n a n d f r e q u e n c y o f t h l e g i s l a t i v e c r i t e r i o n i s m e t . D L A a r e d e f i n e d i n s e c t i o n 2 ( 1 ) o f t h e E A P W D R a n P W D a n n l i c a t i o n w i t h t h e o o o o r t u n i t v f o r t h e o r e s c r i n d a n y d e t e r i o r a t i o n o f h i s p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n . W h e n y s i c a l i m p a i r m e n t ( i n t h e P W D a p p l i c a t i o n ) t h e G P ' s n i n g w h e n u s i n g a c a n e . l a b i l i t y , a n d m o b i l i t y a n d p h y s i c a l a b i l i t y i n t h e P W D n f o r m a t i o n t h a t w a s p r o v i d e d a t a p p e a l , t h e p a n e l n a t i o n t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e d o e s n o t s u p p o r t a f i n d i n g p a i r m e n t a n d t h a t t h e l e g i s l a t i v e c r i t e r i a o u t l i n e d i n e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t . e n t s p r o v i d e d i n t h e P W D a p p l i c a t i o n , a s e v e r e b l i s h e d . a t t h e G P i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e r e a r e n o d i f f i c u l t i e s w i t h c o g n i t i v e a n d e m o t i o n a l f u n c t i o n i n g . T h e m i n i s t r y r e n o i m p a c t s t o c o g n i t i v e a n d e m o t i o n a l f u n c t i o n i n g , w r i t i n g a n d r e a d i n g a r e g o o d . o s i s o f a m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t , t h e a p p e l l a n t i s e d i c a t i o n ' a n d ' p a y b i l l s / r e n t ' , a n d h e i n d i c a t e d n i n g . l f u n c t i o n i n g p r o v i d e d b y t h e G P d o e s n o t i n d i c a t e a s o f a m e n t a l i m p a i r m e n t , a n d t h e f a c t t h a t n o s p r o v i d e d a t a p p e a l i n t h i s r e g a r d , t h e p a n e l f i n d s t h a t t h e e v i d e n c e d o e s n o t s u p p o r t a f i n d i n g t h a t t h e n d t h e l e g i s l a t i v e c r i t e r i a o u t l i n e d i n S e c t i o n 2 ( 2 ) o f m i n i s t e r b e s a t i s f i e d t h a t i n t h e o p i n i o n o f a l i m p a i r m e n t d i r e c t l y a n d s i g n i f i c a n t l y r e s t r i c t s t h e l y o r p e r i o d i c a l l y f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s . W h i l e o t h e r o r t , t h e m i n i s t r y ' s d e t e r m i n a t i o n a s t o w h e t h e r o r n o t e p e n d e n t u p o n t h e e v i d e n c e f r o m p r e s c r i b e d m u s t b e a c a u s a l l i n k b e t w e e n t h e s e v e r e i m p a i r m e n t e s i g n i f i c a n t . F i n a l l y , t h e r e i s a c o m p o n e n t r e l a t e d t o n m a y b e e i t h e r c o n t i n u o u s o r p e r i o d i c . I f p e r i o d i c , i t d i c i t y m u s t a l s o i n c l u d e c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f h o w e i n g e q u a l , a r e s t r i c t i o n t h a t o n l y a r i s e s o n c e a y e a r e v e r a l t i m e s a w e e k . A c c o r d i n g l y , i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s s p e r i o d i c a l l y , i t i s a p p r o p r i a t e f o r t h e m i n i s t r y t o e r e s t r i c t i o n i n o r d e r t o b e " s a t i s f i e d " t h a t t h i s d a r e l i s t e d i n b o t h t h e M R a n d t h e A R s e c t i o n s o f t h e b e d o r o f e s s i o n a l t o c h e c k m a r k e d b o x e s a n d n r o v i d e
additional narrative. DLA, as defined in the legislation, do not include the ability to work. The appellant argued that due to his medical conditions he cannot walk, attend to personal hygiene or toileting, cook (other than with a microwave) or clean. The ministry argued that it is not satisfied that the information provided establishes that the impairment directly and significantly restrict DLA continuously or periodically f o r extended periods. The ministry noted that the GP indicated that most listed DLA are performed independently and social functioning was "NIA". The ministry noted the GP indicated that all listed items under 'shopping' are performed with the use of a cane. The ministry concluded that as the majority of DLA are performed independently and help from others was not identified, the information from the prescribed professional does not establish that impairment significantly restricts DLA either continuously or periodically for extended periods. Therefore, the legislative criteria have not been met. The panel notes that appellant testified that he was confused as to why his GP did not elaborate on his medical history or the restrictions he experiences with DLA. The panel also notes that the GP who completed the PWD application has known the appellant since 1990 and has seen the appellant at least 11 times in the 12 months prior completing the application. It is reasonable to conclude that the GP has proficient knowledge of the appellant's medical history, and therefore would be an expert regarding the appellant's deterioration of health and how his medical conditions restrict his ability to perform DLA. However the GP did not elaborate on the appellant's 'extensive' medical history, and indicated that the appellant has good physical functioning and mobility with the use of a cane, and that they vast majority of the appellant's DLA are performed independently. The information provided by the GP failed to link the diagnosis of reactive arthritis and diabetes to restrictions with performing DLA or the need for cane to complete DLA. For example, the GP did not explain why the appellant needs to use a cane to 'read labels' or 'make appropriate choices' when shopping. The panel considered the assessment by the GP in the PWD application of independence with almost all of the DLA, the lack of inf o rmation regarding the causal link between a physical or mental impairment and a restriction to perform some DLA either continuously or periodically for extended periods, and that insufficient additional or supporting information was provided from a prescribed professional at appeal to support the appellant's position. The panel finds that the evidence provided by the GP does not describe or indicate that a severe impairment restricts the appellant's ability to perform his DLA either continuously or periodically for extended periods. Given the evidence as a whole, the panel finds that the ministry reasonably concluded that the evidence does not establish that an impairment significantly restricts DLA continuously or periodically for extended periods, pursuant to Section 2(2)(b)(i) of the EAPWDA. Help to perform DLA Section 2(2)(b)(ii) of the EAPWDA requires that, as a result of direct and significant restrictions in the ability to perform DLA, a person requires help to perform those activities. Help is defined in subsection (3)as the requirement for an assistive device, the significant help or supervision of another person, or the services of an assistance animal in order to perform DLA. The appellant indicated that he receives help from his landlord and that he uses a cane as an assistive device.
I The ministry argued that because it has not been established that DLA are significantly restricted, it cannot be determined that help is required. The panel notes that, in the MR and AR, the GP did indicate that assistance is required from friends and family and an assistive device. However the GP did not indicate what assistance friends and family provided, how often or for how long. The GP indicated that the uses of a cane was on "bad days" or "at times' but did not indicate how often or how long the appellant uses his cane for mobility . Given that confirmation of direct and significant restrictions with DLA is a precondition of the need for help criterion and because the panel found that the ministry reasonably determined that direct and significant restrictions in the appellant's ability to perform DLA have not been established, the panel also finds that the ministry reasonably concluded that it cannot be determined that the appellant requires help to perform DLA as required by section 2(2)(b)(ii) of the EAPWDA. Conclusion The panel finds that the ministry's reconsideration decision, which determined that the appellant was not eligible for PWD designation, was reasonably supported by the evidence and is a reasonable application of the applicable enactment, and therefore confirms the decision. The appellant is not successful on appeal.
P A R T G O R D E R T H E P A N E L D E C I S I O N I S : ( C h e c k o n e ) [:gJ U N A N I M O U S O B Y M A J O R I T Y T H E P A N E L [:gJ C O N F I R M S T H E M I N I S T R Y D E C I S I O N □ R E S C I N D S T H E M I N I S T R Y D E C I S I O N I f t h e m i n i s t r y d e c i s i o n i s r e s c i n d e d , i s t h e p a n e l d e c i s i o n r e f e r r e d b a c k t o t h e M i n i s t e r f o r a d e c i s i o n a s t o a m o u n t ? □ Y e s □ N o L E G I S L A T I V E A U T H O R I T Y F O R T H E D E C I S I O N : E m p l oy m e n t a n d A s s i s t a n c e A c t S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 1 ) ( a ) (:gJ o r S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 1 ) ( b ) (:gJ a n d S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 2 ) ( a ) (:gJ o r S e c t i o n 2 4 ( 2 ) ( b ) D P A R T H S I G N A T U R E S P R I N T N A M E N e e n a K e r a m D A T E { Y E A R / M O N T H/ D A Y ) 2 0 1 9 / P R J N T N A M E K u l w a n t B a l S I G N A T U R E O F M E M B E R D A T E ( Y E A R/ M O N T H/ D A Y ) 2 0 1 9 / P R I N T N A M E C a r l a T i b b o D A T E ( Y E A R/ M O N T H/ D A Y ) 2 0 1 9 /
You are being directed to the most recent version of the statute which may not be the version considered at the time of the judgment.