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Support CCD's work on the Carter case. Donate to the Disability Rights Defense Fund.
Act Now
The Government of Canada is leading consultations to inform planned accessibility legislation.
In-person sessions are coming soon to your community. Now is the chance to have your say. Read more.
Publications
CCD keeps its members and others informed by publishing reports and newsletters.
Voice of Our Own
This quarterly newsletter updates the community on the activities of CCD and its member organizations.
August 20, 2018
OPEN LETTER URGES PRIME MINISTER TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS COMMITMENT TO THE RIGHT TO HOUSING
At a press conference in Ottawa advocates released an open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau signed by over 170 organizations and prominent Canadians urging the Prime Minister to make good on his commitment to the right to housing by enshrining that right in upcoming National Housing Strategy legislation. Read more.
August 2, 2018
Accessibility Legislation: What the Alliance for an Inclusive and Accessible Canada Heard
The Alliance summarized its findings in a report titled “Consulting Canadians about the New Federal Accessibility Law: Final Report", prepared by Djenana Jalovcic, Ph. D. Read more.
January 15, 2018
#AllianceChat
The Alliance for an Inclusive and Accessible Canada will be hosting its fifth #AllianceChat in its series on Monday, January 15th, 2018 at 3 pm EST. Please note the new day and time! During the chat, the Alliance will be discussing healthcare for Indigenous people with disabilities. The Alliance is pleased to announce that Mr. Neil Belanger, Executive Director BCANDS (www.bcands.bc.ca) will be joining the chat. To participate in the chat just go to Twitter and search for #AllianceChat and you can join through there. Read more.
Chairperson's Update
In this monthly newsletter, CCDs Chairperson shares information about the work undertaken by the National Council of Representatives, Committees, volunteers and staff.
August 18, 2018
Staffing Change at Council of Canadians with Disabilities
There has been a staffing change at the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD). Read more.
August 18, 2018
Bill C-81, An act to ensure a barrier-free Canada: Nine initial observations
On June 21, 2108 the Federal Government tabled Bill C-81, An act to ensure a barrier-free Canada, or the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), to make our country more accessible and inclusive! Read more.
August 18, 2018
Changes on the CCD National Council of Representatives
This spring, the membership of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) elected and appointed new people to serve on the National Council of Representatives, CCD’s governing body. Read more.
CCD Weblog
June 24, 2018
Supreme Court Decision Undermines Access to Justice
On June 14, 2018, the Supreme Court released its judgment in Canada (Canadian Human Rights Commission) v. Canada (Attorney General), 2018 SCC 31, also known as Matson and Andrews. In its judgment the Supreme Court found that challenges to discrimination that result from the wording of a federal law cannot be brought to the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Instead, these challenges will have to be brought before the courts as Charter challenges. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities and ARCH Disability Law Centre are disappointed in the Supreme Court decision. ARCH Disability Law Centre (ARCH) represented the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) as an intervener in this case.The judgment will undermine access to justice for persons from equity seeking groups, including persons with disabilities, by preventing them from using the more accessible Canadian Human Rights Commission system for challenges to discrimination that results from the wording of a federal law. Read more.
April 29, 2018
S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation Case
The case is called S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation. It raises the question: can absolute discretionary trusts, also known as Henson Trusts, be taken into account in eligibility criteria for social programs, like a housing subsidy or social assistance? Read more.
Reports
February 14, 2017
COLLABORATION: THE KEY TO ACCESS AND INCLUSION
CCD is interested in developing an ongoing collaborative working relationship with Parks Canada that will support increased access and inclusion in all of Parks Canada's activities. Read more.
April 19, 2016
A Modernised Court Challenges Program of Canada: A perspective from the Council of Canadians with Disabilities
The Court Challenges Program of Canada (“CCPC”) is essential to ensure access to justice for persons with disabilities in accordance with article 12 and 13 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. If persons with disabilities do not have the means to access the courts, the rights to equality guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and in human rights legislation are hallow and meaningless. Read more.
January 29, 2016
CCD Submission to Special Joint Committee on Physician Assisted Dying
The Supreme Court of Canada in Carter emphasized that there needs to be a balanced system that both enables access by patients to physician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia (PAD/VE), and protects persons who are vulnerable and may be induced to commit suicide. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) strongly believes that a minimal but mandatory vulnerability assessments, an independent review process with prior authorization, along with Criminal Code protection of the vulnerable are essential for this purpose. Read more.