A Voice of Our Own: Special Edition #8

Council of Canadians with Disabilities'
CCD Election Challenge

NDP Elaborates Plans on Disability Issues

On 13 January 2006 Jack Layton, the Leader of the New Democratic Party responded to CCD's letter to all Parties, asking for their commitments on disability issues.

CCD welcomes the New Democratic Party's response to CCD's challenge to the Parties.

As it receives Party responses, CCD is sharing these with its network.

Sending out our critique of the political parties' record on disability issues.

National Disability Strategy

On a National Disability Strategy, Jack Layton states:

"We completely support your call for the development of a National Disability Strategy.

While there may be different assessments as to how best to realize a National Disability Strategy, please be assured the NDP is completely committed to such a strategy."

CCD welcomes the NDP's commitment to a National Strategy. The disability community has been seeking a long-term action plan rather than a patch work approach to disability issues.

NDP Analysis of Situation of Persons with Disabilities

NDP Leader Jack Layton shared with CCD his analysis of the social and economic issues facing the disability community:

"Over the past twelve years, conditions for people with disabilities in Canada have deteriorated. We have seen more and more homeless Canadians with disabilities, more and more Canadians with disabilities relying on food banks and less and less accessibility in key areas such as transportation. Given the Liberal government's failure on disability issues, we believe a new approach is required and will be fighting for a National Disability Strategy in the next Parliament."

Canadians with Disabilities Act

The NDP is supporting a Canadians with Disabilities Act. Jack Layton states,

"After significant consultation with the disability community across Canada, the NDP also believes that to ensure real meaningful action Canadians also need a Canadians With Disabilities Act. That's why we commit to introducing this legislation at the earliest opportunity."

Political Will Needed

CCD believes that with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act, Canada has the tools it needs to achieve equality for persons with disabilities.

CCD believes that what has been missing in the past is the will to use existing tools.

Working with the Disability Community

The NDP has made a commitment to work with the organizations of persons with disabilities.

Layton states,

"As you know, NDP MP and Disabilities Critic Peter Julian spent much of the last Parliament working with many stakeholders in the disabilities community to put together this draft legislation. He hopes to sit down with you in the coming weeks to discuss this draft legislation.

We look forward to continue working with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities to ensure that disability issues are acted on expeditiously in the next Parliament."

CCD believes that it is essential that Government hears directly from the self representational organizations of persons with disabilities.

Voter Education

The NDP has recognized CCD's work in the area of public education, relating to the participation of persons with disabilities in the democratic process. Layton states:

"Finally, we appreciate your efforts to help voters make an informed decision on voting day."

Investigate the Parties' Positions

The Parties' positions are available for further review at the following web sites:

www.liberal.ca/

www.conservative.ca/

www.ndp.ca/

Blog for disability rights.

Council of Canadians with Disabilities

CCD
926-294 Portage Ave
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0B9

Phone: 204-947-0303
Fax: 204-942-4625
E-mail: ccd@ccdonline.ca

www.ccdonline.ca

CCD, a national advocacy organization of persons with disabilities, works to build a disability-positive environment in Canada. Founded in 1976, CCD brings together national, provincial and territorial organizations of persons with disabilities to work on issues of concern to men and women with disabilities in Canada. Participation in the electoral process has been a priority for CCD since its earliest days. The CCD National Council of representatives endorsed the 7 issue areas addressed in this publication.

Share our election plan with others

Our Challenge

There are many ways to educate both the public and candidates during the Federal Election. Some consumers will be running in the election. Others will be working on campaigns. There will also be consumers who will be raising disability rights issues during the election. All these activities are important. The challenge is for consumers to be as visible as possible during the election. This visibility draws attention to the citizenship of persons with disabilities and what we need to achieve full participation. In these pages, you will find a discussion of key issues for consumers to raise during this election and some suggested activities.

Ask Candidates

  • Do you support a national investment in a Disability Supports Fund?
  • How do we develop a labor market strategy, addressing disability?
  • What would you do to eliminate the poverty experienced by persons with disabilities?
  • Do you support the development of accessibility regulations, not voluntary codes, to improve access to the federal transportation system?
  • How would you go about making disability a priority in all Federal initiatives?
  • More specifically, how would you go about making disability a priority in all Federal initiatives on Aboriginal issues?
  • Are you prepared to support measures that would get people with disabilities out of institutions and living in the community?
  • How did you make your campaign accessible?