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Inclusion Matters
December 2023
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Inclusion Canada in Ottawa
From December 1-3, the Inclusion Canada Board, Federation senior leadership, and Inclusion Canada staff met in Ottawa for our 66th Annual General Meeting and strategic planning sessions for the year ahead.
New Board Members
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Inclusion Canada's new board members being led through their Oath of Office by Distinguished Associate Audrey Cole. | |
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On December 3, Inclusion Canada hosted our 66th Annual General Meeting. We would like to extend our congratulations and a warm welcome to our newly elected board members! We thank all those individuals who put their names forward for several positions. We look forward to the Board's guidance, expertise, and commitment to the movement for inclusion as we work to build an inclusive Canada for people with an intellectual disability and their families
See the full list of Inclusion Canada Board Members here. >
New Board President & Farewell to Robin Acton
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Executive Vice President Krista Carr and past Board President Robin Acton with newly elected Vice President Jill Teeple (left) and Board President Moira Wilson (right). Also pictured is board member Dennis Gill from Newfoundland and Labrador. | |
This year's AGM marks a significant transition in Inclusion Canada's senior leadership. Robin Acton, who served as Board President from 2019-2023, transitioned into the Past President role.
We are pleased to welcome Moira Wilson as our new Board President! Moira, who hails from New Brunswick, has been actively involved with her local and provincial association for a number of decades. She has previously served as Inclusion Canada's Vice President as well as in a number of board roles. As the parent of an adult with an intellectual disability, her family perspective will be invaluable in her new role.
We are also pleased to welcome Jill Teeple as our new Vice President! Jill has previously served on our Board in a variety of capacities. She has worked at the board level with Community Living Ontario and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
We welcome the expertise and guidance Moira and Jill will bring to our new board.
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During the AGM, we spent a few moments commemorating Robin Acton's work and achievements over the last 4 years. She served her term during an exciting & challenging time. While steering us through COVID she also led us through developing a new strategic plan, a successful rebrand, establishing a national Family Leadership Training team, and much more.
We sincerely appreciate all that Robin has done to build a better Canada for people with an intellectual disability and their families. We look forward to her continued presence in a different capacity. Our sincere thanks are not enough for all you have done.
Service Awards for Inclusion Canada Staff
| Service award recipients pictures with Board President Robin Acton and Executive Vice President Krista Carr. | |
On December 2, Inclusion Canada was pleased to recognize the valuable contributions and work of a number of staff members who celebrated milestone anniversaries with the organization this year. This includes:
- Natalia Hicks, Director, Community Justice & Health Equity - 5 years
- Rachel Mills, Senior Policy Analyst - 5 years
- Kurt Goddard, Executive Director, Legal & Public Affairs - 5 years
- Tara Levandier, Executive Director, Operations & Social Impact - 5 years (9 years total)
- Don Gallant, National Director - Ready, Willing & Able - 25 years
- Judith Butler, Senior Officer, Board Relations & Senior Management Support - 30 years
Thank you to our staff members for their continued dedication and outstanding work.
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Bill C-35: An Act respecting early learning and child care
Over the last year, Inclusion Canada has been engaged with parliamentarians in an effort to amend Bill C-35 to make it truly inclusive of children with an intellectual disability. In its current state, the bill does not guarantee inclusive child care as a right for people with intellectual disabilities, meaning many children will continue to be at risk of not being able to enjoy the same rights to early learning and child care as others.
A few weeks ago, Inclusion Canada led the development and signing of a letter to Senators requesting amendments to the bill. The letter was signed by disability partner organizations and allies from across the country.
Click here to read our letter. >
Unfortunately, our calls to parliamentarians to amend the bill to guarantee inclusive and equitable childcare went unheeded. The bill has received one minor amendment by the Senate regarding minority language rights and is set to be considered again in the House of Commons in January 2024.
Inclusion Canada and our disability allies are looking at ways we can continue to fight for inclusive child care and influence this bill before its too late. In a final push we will be urging parliamentarians to include disability rights in the bill.
More to come on this in the new year.
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Inclusion Canada in Action | |
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- On December 2, Inclusion Canada and Federation senior leadership convened in Ottawa, Ontario for our President and Executive Director's meeting. During this session, we discussed our ongoing work and priorities for 2024.
- On December 3, Inclusion Canada Board and Inclusion Canada Foundation Board hosted their individual Annual General Meetings. The meetings, detailed above, included elections for board positions, a review of financial statements, and a farewell to outgoing Board President, Robin Acton.
- Don Gallant and Tara Levandier met with the Canada Human Rights Commission to discuss to their national monitoring framework on the right to housing for people with disabilities, and strengthen indicators with respect to choice, control, and inclusion.
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Have your say about the Canada Disability Benefit
The government of Canada is looking for feedback from Canadians about the Canada Disability Benefit!
You have until December 21 to provide your input about eligibility criteria, benefit amount, applications and payments, and more!
The feedback tool is available in ASL & LSQ. Provide your feedback by mail, video or phone.
Make sure you have your say!
Click here for more info. >
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2022-2023 Impact Report now available!
During our December 1-3 weekend in Ottawa, we launched our 2022-2023 Impact Report.
The Impact Report provides a concise summary of Inclusion Canada's work and achievements over the last year. Inside, you'll find detailed information about our ongoing work in our strategic priority areas, our 'Year in Numbers', stories about the lives of people with an intellectual disability and their families who have been impacted by our work, and more!
Click here to read the report. >
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Upcoming Dates & Events
December 22 - January 1 - Inclusion Canada Offices Closed
January 4 - World Braille Day
January 29 - Bell Let's Talk Day
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WE APPRECIATE YOUR $UPPORT!
Our work to strengthen families, defend rights, and transform communities would not be possible without your financial support.
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