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Inclusion Matters
November 2023
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What we know about the Canada Disability Benefit
On November 3, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented the Fall Economic Statement in Parliament. Inclusion Canada and our disability community allies hoped the government would outline their financial commitment and timeline to implement the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). We wrote to the Finance Minister as well.
Read our letter here. >
Unfortunately, there was no mention of the CDB.
We are increasingly alarmed by the federal government's silence on the benefit status. The NDP also has some power in that they could incorporate the funding and completion of the CDB into it's Supply and Confidence Agreement with the government to add pressure. So far, we have heard nothing.
Inclusion Canada continues to actively engage with the government and parliament on the CDB. On November 14, Executive Director of Knowledge Mobilization & Transformation, Jeff Ferguson, appeared before the Standing Committee on Finance during it's pre-budget hearings. He outlined our vision for the funding of the benefit and called on the Finance Committee to "include a strong and unequivocal statement on the necessity of adequately funding the CDB."
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Read our brief to the finance committee here. >
The government has recently launched an online engagement tool to gather Canadian's feedback on what they want to see in a new national disability benefit. Although the tool is not ideal, it does provide people the opportunity to be heard. We encourage everyone to submit your opinions. It is open for submissions until November 21.
The online tool can be found here. >
We will continue to keep you updated on the status of the benefit. We will continue to push for the benefit to be budgeted and adequately funded while ensuring that the regulations are designed to lift people with disabilities out of poverty.
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Advancing Inclusion on Bill C-35 - An Act respecting early learning and child care in Canada
Inclusion Canada strongly believes that early learning and child care should be fully inclusive of people with intellectual disabilities. That's why we have been fighting for changes to Bill C-35 that would enshrine the full inclusion of people with disabilities in a nation-wide early learning and child care system.
As it stands, the bill does not contain any specific commitments to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Although the Senate of Canada Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI), recognized our concerns in it's Observation Report, they failed to pass any amendments that would address the necessary changes.
In a recent appearance before the Senate of Canada Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, Inclusion Canada Executive Vice President Krista Carr urged Senators to consider amendments. We reiterated those concerns in a letter last week to all Senators - however, these concerns have gone unheeded.
Bill C-35 is now at Third Reading in the Senate. If they do not amend the legislation at this stage, it will pass into law. In a last-ditch effort, our President, Robin Acton, wrote a letter urging Senators to hear a "mother's plea" to strongly consider three proposed amendments.
Read the letter here. >
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Inclusion Canada in Action
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From November 6-8, Executive Vice President Krista Carr attended the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence's Caregiving Summit. The annual event brings together lived experience experts, leaders, policymakers, and researchers to build the foundation of a national strategy. At the event, Krista presented on the importance of inclusive housing.
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On November 14, Executive Director of Knowledge Mobilization and Transformation, Jeff Ferguson, appeared as a witness at the Standing Committee on Finance's pre-budget consultation in advance of the 2024 federal budget to advocate for the inclusion of the Canada Disability Benefit.
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On November 16, EVP Krista Carr participated in the Daily Break Food Bank's panel on the Canada Disability Benefit. During the panel, Krista discussed the importance of fully funding the Canada Disability Benefit to address the systemic poverty and income insecurity experienced by people with intellectual disabilities.
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On November 21, Director of Community Justice & Health Equity, Natalia Hicks, presented at the International Federation on Aging's Adult Vaccination Advocacy Strategy Series. She was invited to discuss Inclusion Canada's contributions to a nationwide discussion on strategies to improve vaccination rates across Canada.
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From November 29-30, Inclusion Canada co-hosted the Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy's Disability & Work Conference in Ottawa, Ontario. The conference brings together stakeholders to discuss inclusive employment practices. This year's theme is "Livelihoods and influencing the future of work for people with disabilities: a focus on rights, and quality of life."
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On November 28, Inclusion Canada senior leadership joined Indigenous Disability Canada and our other disability ally organizations at our shared workspace in Ottawa to celebrate Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.
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From left to right - Tom Morrell, IDC Board Member, Julia McEathron, IDC Staff, Neil Belanger, CEO
IDC, Steve Lytton, President IDC, Jeff Ferguson & Krista Carr, Inclusion Canada
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Inclusion Canada & People First of Canada Host Showing of Huronia Documentary in Ottawa
On November 22, Inclusion Canada & People First of Canada joined filmmaker Barri Cohen in Ottawa for a private screening of her documentary, Unloved: Huronia's Forgotten Children. The documentary explores her half-brothers' experiences and highlights the systemic abuse and mistreatment of people with intellectual disabilities housed at the institution.
We were pleased to have the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Kamal Khera attend and provide remarks. Robin Acton, President of Inclusion Canada and Dewlyn Lobo, President of People First of Canada also offered opening comments. Mike Lake, MP for Edmonton-Wetaskiwin, was also in attendance. Krista Carr, EVP of Inclusion Canada closed off the evening.
If you haven't watched this documentary, we highly recommend it. Please share it with your friends, family and community connections.
Watch the full documentary here. >
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MP Ed Fast Petition to Stop Expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) will expand to Canadians with mental illness on March 17, 2024. This means that people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness will be able to access MAiD.
This cannot be understated - if MAiD continues to expand, more people with intellectual disabilities will die from euthanasia.
In response to these upcoming changes, MP Ed Fast has released a petition that calls on Parliament to intervene in the expansion and stop the egregious infringement on the human rights of people with disabilities. We encourage everyone who is concerned to sign and circulate this petition.
Sign the petition here. >
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The Latest Data on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada | |
Briefs from Inclusion Canada | |
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Working with a volunteer group of experts/advisors in consultation with Inclusion International, we have submitted a brief to the United Nations on the rights of older persons with disabilities.
The brief responds to a UN Questionnaire on the protection of the human rights of older persons, ensuring that intellectual disability factors into ongoing dialogue about age and human rights.
Click here to read the brief. >
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This brief provides context for policymakers in creating legislation about coercive control, detailing principles that Inclusion Canada believes should underpin any legislative approach to the issue.
Our principals prioritize dignity, autonomy, and the well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities as the foundation of all discussions, evaluations, and implementation related to proposed coercive control legislation.
Click here to read the brief. >
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Use your Points for Good at Sephora this Holiday Season!
Once again Sephora has chosen us. Between November 28 - December 4, any donations through the Sephora Rewards Program to Inclusion Canada will be MATCHED! Sephora Canada is matching the first $25,000 donated to any of the 12 charities in the rewards program.
Double your impact by scrolling and selecting Inclusion Canada at checkout. Your donations will directly support people with an intellectual disability and their families.
Click here to access the link to Sephora. >
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Upcoming Dates & Events
December 2-3 - Inclusion Canada AGM and Federation meetings in Ottawa, ON
December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 10 - Human Rights Day
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WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!
Our work to strengthen families, defend rights, and transform communities would not be possible without your financial support.
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