NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis wants the caregiver tax credit extended to people who take care of their disabled spouses. (CBC)

NDP health critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis is urging the federal government to change the Income Tax Act to extend the caregiver tax credit to spouses of people with disabilities.

The credit is worth up to $600 a year, but under current tax law, those who care for a disabled spouse are not eligible to claim it because they can already claim their spouse as a dependent.

Wasylycia-Leis, who represents Winnipeg North, said Wednesday in Winnipeg that those who care for a disabled spouse should get the caregiver credit.

Lynn Waterman, who has been caring for her husband, Wayne, who has multiple sclerosis, for nearly 30 years, agreed it would be good if Canada offered a tax break to people like herself to show that their work is valuable.

"Spouses, in particular, are stretched and stressed from the pressure to provide their loved ones the time, care and financial support they need and deserve," said Wasylycia-Leis, who plans to introduce a private member's bill in Ottawa calling for a change in the tax law.

The initiative is backed by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, the Parkinson Society of Manitoba, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Tourette Canada, Epilepsy Ontario and the Canadian Working Group on HIV and Rehabilitation.