January 2024

Inclusion Matters

January 2024

Parliament is back in session! Here's what we're tracking

January 29 marked the return of Parliamentarians to the House of Commons. Inclusion Canada is tracking progress on several different priorities that are critical to people with an intellectual disability and their families:

On January 29, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying recommended an indefinite delay to the expansion of MAiD to people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness until it "can be done safely."

In our press release, Inclusion Canada urges parliamentarians to abandon MAiD for mental illness altogether.

Inclusion Canada urges Parliament to not stop at re-evaluating only MAiD for mental illness. The current law, which makes assisted suicide available to people with disabilities, is also highly problematic and needs to be re-assessed.

Join us in calling the government to act. First, repeal the sunset clause. Immediately thereafter, resolve the harmful and discriminatory effects of Canada’s existing assisted suicide law on persons with a disability.

Will be watching and responding. Stay tuned for more.

The Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) became law in June 2023. Since then, progress has been slow. Over 1.4 million people with disabilities continue to wait in poverty for this new national disability benefit to be implemented by the federal government.

We are calling on the government to set aside funding to establish the benefit in the 2024 federal budget. The funding needs to be a significant enough investment to realize the objective of the benefit, which is to bring people with disabilities out of poverty.

See our budget submission here. >

Bill C-35: An Act respecting early learning and childcare, has passed through the Senate with an amendment and is now back in the House of Commons.

More amendments are necessary to ensure that children with disabilities across the country are fully included in early learning education.

Click here to read our final appeal to the government and all MPs.

Inclusion Canada will continue to provide updates about these priority areas as Parliamentarians address them. Tune into our Twitter, Facebook, and continue to read our newsletter for the latest information.

2022-2023 Impact Report now available!

Last December, we launched our 2022-2023 Impact Report. The report, which provides a concise summary of Inclusion Canada's work and achievements over the last year, is now available to the public!

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. >

Inclusion Canada demands justice in light of inadequate sentencing in Brent Gabona case

On Wednesday, January 24, Brent Gabona was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for sexual abuse against residents of Shepherd's Villa, a group home for people with intellectual disabilities in Saskatchewan.

Inclusion Canada vehemently opposes such an inadequate punishment, which is markedly less than the 15 years sought by the Crown.

In a press release, Inclusion Canada calls on the Crown to utilize all permissible legal measures, including an appeal, to ensure just sentencing. The justice system must recognize the profound impact of this case and take all necessary steps to ensure justice is done well.

We believe that the sentence must reflect the egregious nature of the crimes and the number of victims repeatedly harmed over 17 years.

Read our press release here. >

Inclusion Canada in Action

At our January board meeting, Inclusion Canada's board of directors approved a new position statement on Access to Healthcare, which will be made publicly available shortly.

Senior leadership met with staff from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities of Canada Minister Sean Fraser's office to discuss policy priorities related to inclusive and affordable housing for adults with an intellectual disability.

Tara Levandier & Kurt Goddard participated in community meetings on the drafting of the civil society CRPD Parallel Report. Inclusion Canada continues its work to ensure the voices and issues of people with an intellectual disability and their families are included in the report to the United Nations.

In January, Inclusion Canada and People First of Canada hosted a two-part townhall, facilitated by self-advocates and family members, mobilizing our best practices for communicating health information in easy-to-understand formats.

February is Inclusive Education Month!

Every February, Inclusion Canada joins national disability partner Inclusive Education Canada in celebrating Inclusive Education Month.

Inclusive Education Month celebrates the value of inclusive education practices across the lifespan. It recognizes the important work of self-advocates, family members, educators, and education professionals across the country to redefine inclusion in education settings.

Stay tuned for content from Inclusive Education Canada throughout the month!

Click here for more info. >

Inclusive Education Canada hosts webinar: "Closing Special Schools in Canada: Lessons Learned, Action Needed"

As part of National Inclusive Education Month, on February 20^th at 4:00 pm EST, Inclusive Education Canada will host a webinar with guest Dr. Glenys Mann from Brisbane, Australia.

“Closing Special Schools in Canada: Lessons Learned and Actions Needed," will provide attendees with an international perspective on Canada's segregated school system for people with intellectual disabilities.

Click here to register. >

Inclusion Canada hosts CRA Webinar - thank you, attendees!

On Thursday, January 18th, Inclusion Canada hosted a live webinar with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on Benefits and Credits for Persons with Disabilities. Thank you to the 300+ attendees for your participation and questions!

The CRA gave an overview of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), speaking about eligibility, how to apply, and what happens after you apply. The CRA also spoke about:

The Child Disability Benefit (CDB)
The Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)
The Home Accessibility Tax Credit
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

At the end of the webinar, the CRA answered some questions and provided ways to stay connected with the CRA.

We look forward to sharing more helpful resources and information in the near future.

Inclusion Canada in the News

People who experience mental illness don't need our help to die — they need our support to live - Op-Ed by Moira Wilson

Kurt Goddard: MAiD for mental illness should never come to pass

Groups welcome delay on MAiD for the mentally ill

Kurt Goddard: CTV News Interview on MAiD

Upcoming Dates & Events

February - Inclusive Education Month

February 28 - Pink Shirt Day

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