By The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has received a lifetime membership from a disabled people advocacy group in B.C.

The Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network honoured Harper for instituting the Registered Disability Savings Plan. Harper's government first introduced the plan in 2007 and almost $50 million has been paid out to people with disabilities and their families.

Harper says the men and women who care for a child with a disability make incredible sacrifices and Canadians have a responsibility to ensure those children lead fulfilling lives.

Harper was joined at the Burnaby, B.C., news conference by paraplegic activist Rick Hansen and Minister of State for Democratic Reform Steven Fletcher.

The prime minister, who is in B.C. to attend the start of the Olympic torch relay Friday, did not take any questions from media at the brief event.