O'Toole promises increased support for people with disabilities during stop in Edmonton

Conservative Leader ErinO'Toole pledgedmore support to disabled Canadians if his partyforms the next federal government.

During a campaign stop in Edmonton Saturday morning, O'Toolepromised to increase the disability supplement ofthe Canada Workers Benefit from $713 to $1,500.

The plan would alsocut the number of hours needed to qualify for the disability tax credit and Registered Disability Savings Plan from 14 to 10 hours per week.

"Conservatives are prepared to put our money where our mouth is and provide real, immediate funding to these programs to help Canadians with disabilities,"O'Toolesaid during a media event at the Winnifred Stewart Association, which has supportedand empoweredpeople with disabilities since the early 1950's.

The program would also include funding through the Enabling Accessibility Fundto help workplaces and small businesses improve their facilities and make them more accessible.

"We need to empower Canadians with disabilities to pursue their own meaningful participation in the workforce," he said.

Thechanges O'Toole proposes have been supported by disability advocates for years and will allow more people to qualify for support programs, he said.

During the event, O'Toole was asked about the Conservatives' stronghold on the prairie region and his relationship with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney,whom he called a "friend of mine."

O'Toole said he wouldwork with all premiers collaborativelyif his party formsgovernment.

Saturday's campaign announcement was streamed over social media platforms but there werea few supporters in the building too.

O'Tooleis now heading to Delta, B.C., whileNDP LeaderJagmeet Singhwas campaigning in Toronto.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who has been prime minister since 2015, was not on the campaign trail Saturday.