April 2023
A man with Down syndrome speaking to a woman on his right. The are outdoors and doing landscaping work. Below, text reads "Inclusion Matters - news from Inclusion Canada"
Inclusion Matters
April 2023
Happy National Volunteer Week!

Our work would not be possible without the support of our dedicated volunteers from across the country. From committee work to our Board of Directors, we want to thank each and every one of you who devotes their time to the inclusion movement.

On behalf of Krista and the rest of the Inclusion Canada staff, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers for their time and countless contributions.

Together, we will create a more inclusive Canada for everyone.
Text based image with a quote from Michael MacLellan. Quote reads "When I volunteer, I see my disabilities as a good thing. I can give people feedback and teach people things. My disabilities are an asset. And no one person has to have all the skills..."
Volunteering with an Intellectual Disability

We spoke to 2 people in our volunteer network about the highs and lows of volunteering with an intellectual disability.

Michael Maclellan volunteers on Inclusion BC and Inclusion Canada's Board of Directors. Evelyn McNulty's daughter, Lily, has volunteered in her community for most of her life. She currently volunteers with Inclusion NB and Romero House.

a teacher sitting on the floor of a library reading to children sitting around her. One of the children has Down syndrome and there is a service dog with the children.
Bill C-35 & Early Childhood Education Update

Inclusion Canada has been involved in monitoring Bill C-35, an Act respecting early learning and childcare in Canada. This act would ensure long-term federal funding for provinces and territories to support early learning and childcare under a Canada-wide system. But it lacks a definition of inclusion as well as accountabilities to ensure provincial and territorial governments properly resource early learning and childcare to enable fully inclusive childcare as we would envision.

With the input from our federation, we developed a brief and in March we submitted it to the Parliamentary committee currently considering the Bill. Our brief offers recommendations and amendments to strengthen the Bill to make it fully inclusive for learners with an intellectual disability and their families.

We have also requested to appear before the committee as a witness but have yet to hear back. You can access and read the full brief by clicking here.
Inclusion Canada in Action

  • During the January to March period, Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) facilitated 126 employment outcomes (including 11 post-secondary and 6 self-employment outcomes) for job seekers with an intellectual disability or on the autism spectrum.

Text-based image of Mike Lake's private members bill on inclusive education.
Private Members Motion on Inclusive Education

On March 16, 2023 MP Mike Lake introduced a private members motion on inclusive education. The motion references article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the obligations of the federal government to ensure an inclusive education system within Canada. It calls on the federal government to give clear consideration for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities within the education system.  

While not perfect, Inclusion Canada supports the principle of this motion. It puts this important policy issue on the floor of the House of Commons for debate. There is no clear date for when the motion will be debated, but we will be following this and keep you informed.

Two racially diverse employees wearing aprons work together in a greenhouse. The young woman with an intellectual disability sits at a table with a tablet and notepad in front of her and a pencil in her hand. Both are smiling. Hanging plants are visible...
Inclusion Canada National Employment Strategy Recommendations

Inclusion Canada has recently outlined 6 recommendations to the Federal government to make sure that people with intellectual disabilities are included in a national Employment Strategy for persons with disabilities. They include:

  1. Hire people with an intellectual disability in the federal government.
  2. Restrict how federal government Workforce Development Agreement funding is used.
  3. Help people keep jobs and grow in their careers.
  4. Reorganise federal government jobs.
  5. Partner with unions.
  6. Do business with companies who hire inclusively.

You can find more information in our employment strategy handouts below.

Upcoming Dates & Events
May 14 - Mother's Day
May 22 - Victoria Day (Inclusion Canada offices closed)
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!

Our work to strengthen families, defend rights, and transform communities would not be possible without your financial support.