From the Desk of the CCD National Coordinator

December 11th and 12th, 2013.   Well these two days are almost over and I must say they were challenging and exciting.  It began with providing final comment to CCD’s legal brief to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the Appellants opposition to our intervention in the Carter case (assisted suicide).    Our legal team at bakerlaw have been great, responding to short time lines, balancing some challenging issues, and responding strongly to protect the interests of vulnerable people in regard to any change in the Criminal Code prohibition on assisted suicide.    The legal argument was filed with the Court at 11am on December 11th and will be posted on our website.

Next up was a conference call with the CCD Executive on a number of issues including: funding, new project initiatives, a Senate Committee presentation on RDSP, Elections Canada Advisory Committee, planning for CCD’s AGM in June 2014 and preliminary discussion of the impact of the next 35% cut in our funding from Employment and Social Development Canada. 

No sooner was the Executive call over than we began to receive media requests for interviews regarding the Canada Post decision to end door to door mail delivery service and increase the cost of postage.   I did interviews with the Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, a couple of radio stations, and connected media with individuals in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.  CCD office immediately shared the info with our members and committees and by December 12th we had written, translated and sent a letter to all Members of Parliament from Tony Dolan National Chairperson of CCD about our concerns with these decisions.  Tony also was on CBC's The Current and other members have been interviewed.   I did CTV morning news here in Winnipeg and both Clare Simpson and I were interviewed again for the CTV evening news.   CCD has also been contact by the NDP Labour Critic seeking more information on our concerns. 

At the same time we have issued a holiday appeal letter to members and allies asking them to consider CCD as they make their year- end charitable donations.  

And we have added new material to our website.

April  D’Aubin and I also begin to look into the National Building Code Review process that ends December 23rde and we have consulted with some knowledgeable universal design experts as well as looked at recent materials from the Alberta Disability Forum on issues related to Building Codes. 

This is what I love about CCD, frankly you never know when you arrive at work how the day will unfold.  What is clear is that the voice of people with disabilities is as needed today as it was years ago.   Equally clear is the fact that project funding would never enable us to be active on as many files or respond as quickly to emerging issues. 

Working for CCD remains interesting and challenge and a privilege that I am thankful for almost every day.  

Laurie Beachell
National Coordinator