September 2021
Image of a hand putting a ballot in a ballot box. The ballot is surrounded by a teal Inclusion Canada bracket. Text reads "Inclusion Matters - News from Inclusion Canada." The Inclusion Canada logo is in the bottom left corner.
White text on Inclusion Canada purple and teal gradient background. Text reads "Federal Election 2021: A Path to Inclusive Recovery." Inclusion Canada logo below.
Federal Election 2021 - Your Voice Matters

On September 20, Canada will have a federal election. 22% of people in Canada over the age of 15 have a disability. Despite this, disability issues rarely get much attention during elections.

Together, we can change that. We've created a blog post detailing some of the resources available to voters to make an informed decision this election. To prioritize disability issues, we need to make sure candidates are aware of the issues and their wide-ranging effects on the well-being of the 6.2 million people in Canada who identify as having a disability.

Image of a youtube video with People First of President, Kory Earle, smiling at the camera.
People First of Canada Federal Election Webinar

On September 9, People First of Canada hosted a webinar about voting in the upcoming Federal election. They provide a thorough explanation of how the election works, accommodations that exist to make voting stations inclusive, and other ways you can vote such as mail-in ballots and advanced voting.

Image of the infographic comparing party platform commitments to the disability community.
Party Platform Disability Commitments Infographic

To keep you informed about party commitments to the disability community before the election, Inclusion Canada has developed an infographic comparing the disability-specific commitments detailed in party platforms.

Please note that the infographic highlights positions that explicitly address people with disabilities and is not exhaustive.


Vote!
  • If you haven't already voted during the advance polls or by mail-in ballot, remember to get out and exercise your right to vote this Monday, September 20th. To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on election day and prove your identity and address.


  • If you are not registered, you can still register when you go to vote at your assigned polling station.
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The Inclusive Workplace Participants Needed

The Inclusive Workplace is developing real stories that share the experiences of job seekers and employees with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.

If you would like to share your story about applying for a job, disclosure and workplace accommodations, or peer mentors at work, please email Radha MacCulloch at [email protected].

Chris Beesley and his son smiling at the camera.
Opinion: It's time for income security for persons with disabilities

In a recent op-ed, Community Living Ontario CEO Chris Beesley discusses the need for all political parties running in the Federal election to address the widespread issues with income insecurity in the disability community.

Parties should commit to providing a disability benefit to ensure that all people in Canada with a disability are able to afford the necessities of life and realize their full potential.

Inclusion Canada in the News

Upcoming Dates & Events
October 5 - World Teacher's Day
October 11 - Thanksgiving (Inclusion Canada offices closed)

Our work to strengthen families, defend rights, and transform communities would not be possible without your financial support. If these stories resonate with you, please consider making a donation. Thank you.