June 2023
Inclusion Matters
June 2023
Bill C-22: The Canada Disability Benefit is now law!

Inclusion Canada is celebrating that Bill C-22: The Canada Disability Benefit, has finally passed in the Senate and received Royal Assent on June 22 and is now official a law!

This historic bill establishes Canada's first federal disability benefit, a monthly payment for people with disabilities that paves the way for better financial security and a more inclusive life for millions of Canadians with disabilities and their families.

Thank you to all parliamentarians who supported the passage of this bill. Thank you as well to the disability community and the strong advocacy of our organization’s federation, families, and individuals who were there every step of the way to advocate on the importance of the benefit.

Thank you one and all. Let's celebrate today and work tomorrow to ensure the benefit is everything it should be.

Bill C-22: What Comes Next?

With Bill C-22 now law, the next process is to design and create the regulations. These are the details of the benefit - how much, who will qualify, etc. The government has committed to a co-design process with the disability community. What this means exactly and how it will work is uncertain at the moment. We anticipate in the next few weeks learning more about this and working with other disability organizations and the disability community to help shape this benefit. Stay tuned for more.

In advance of this work, Inclusion Canada collaborated with many national disability organizations to consult with people with disabilities. Between May - September 2022, we led consultations and heard directly from people with disabilities as to what is important to them, but also their fears and what they hope the benefit is not.

From this feedback, we created the What We Heard Report. It is very detailed, but we have also created a blog that summarizes the key elements.
Over the next few weeks, we will promote products related to this in an easy to understand format. For now, you can read the blog at the link below.

Inclusion Canada at the United Nations

From June 12-16, Inclusion Canada staff and leadership attended the 16th session of the Conference of States Parties at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Robin Acton, Krista Carr, Kurt Goddard, and Tara Levandier were part of the the Canadian civil society delegation and spoke at various events regarding Canada's implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

In the video above, Board President Robin Acton addresses the United Nations General Assembly, encouraging all nations to support the full inclusion of people with an intellectual disability and their families in society.

Inclusion Canada in Action

  • Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) had the privilege of presenting at the 2nd annual World Supported Employment conference, held in Vancouver on June 6-8. The session focused on career advancement and was moderated by RWA National Project Coordinator, Sinthea Chowdhury. The panel was comprised of employer, employee, and supported agency representatives.

  • On June 14, Executive Director of Operations & Social Impact, Tara Levandier, presented at the United Nations Conference of State Parties on a side panel discussion on easy to understand communications practices. Click here to learn more about the new Listen Include Respect guidelines.

Have Assisted Dying Laws Gone too Far?

In a recent Walrus article, Meagan Gillmore explains why people with disabilities and their allies are sounding the alarm, and why medical assistance in dying (MAiD) laws have become a dangerous reality in Canada's healthcare system.

From the romanticization of the MAiD experience to the expansion of MAiD to include mature minors, advanced requests, and people with mental health issues, Canada's infatuation with MAiD is resulting in the deaths of people with disabilities rather than providing them with the necessary supports to live a full and inclusive life..

Inclusive Education Canada releases new Policy Framework for Education Law

Last week, Inclusive Education Canada (IEC) released a policy framework that helps provincial and territorial governments to implement fully inclusive education policies in their education systems.

Created by a team of experts, the document details how provinces and territories can become compliant with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) relating to inclusive education in the education system.

We will have more information about this document in the coming months, including plans for an interactive webinar explaining what it is and how to use it in your area.

Inclusion Canada in the News

Upcoming Dates & Events
July 1 - Canada Day
July 3 - Inclusion Canada Offices Closed (day off in lieu)
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!

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