Weeks v. Canada, 2001 DTC 5035 (FCA) -- summary under Subsection 15(1)

The Minister allowed some medical expense tax credits in respect of care for a son of the taxpayer who suffered from congenital brain malformation [ultimately] but disallowed credits in respect of such items as books, compact discs, toys, computer equipment, and a van that was used by all family members. The taxpayer unsuccessfully advanced a Charter remedy that would have involved a judicial redrafting of s. 118.2(2) to allow a medical expense tax credit for all disability related expenses, including those incurred in the home rather than in an institution. The taxpayer failed to advance evidence to establish that the differential treatment accorded by s. 118.2(2) to institutional and home care gave families an incentive to choose institutional care for their disabled children over home care, thereby (as it was argued) perpetuating an historic negative stereotyping of disabled people.