CCD Echoes Governor General's Call to Listen to Diverse Voices Who Shape Canada

For Immediate Release  | November 24, 2021

On November 23, 2021, Governor General Mary Simon, the first Indigenous woman to hold this position, read the Speech from the Throne, providing a summary of the Liberal Government’s plans for the First Session of the 44^th Parliament of Canada.  “Her Excellency Mary Simon called upon Members of Parliament to ‘Listen to the diverse voices who speak a multitude of languages and who shape this country,’ and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national nonpartisan human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an accessible and inclusive Canada, echoes her call,” states Heather Walkus, CCD Acting Chair. “The Throne Speech addressed the concerns of Indigenous People, Canadian families, racialized people, people affected by climate changes, among others; people with disabilities are part of all these sectors. In the coming weeks, CCD will be monitoring and speaking out about how well this Government is using a disability lens, which it has promised to do, as it works to build a resilient economy and a cleaner and healthier future.”

“There were signals in the Throne Speech that the Liberal Government is looking to make progress toward fulfilling more of the commitments it made to people with disabilities when it ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD),” states Walkus. “For example, when addressing health, the Throne Speech acknowledged that work needs to be done on accessibility, care in rural communities, long-term care and mental health and addictions. These are areas of critical importance to people with disabilities in Canada.”

Like others in the disability community, CCD has been calling upon the Government of Canada to place the implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit at the forefront of the political agenda by fast-tracking the design and implementation of the Canada Disability Benefit and by involving people with disabilities in the work to make it happen. It was very disappointing that the Canada Disability Benefit was not included in the Throne Speech.  “The Government of Canada needs to be listening to the voices of Canadians with disabilities on the Benefit," states Walkus.

“In the coming weeks, we will be measuring the Government of Canada’s progress against the commitments made to us in the Liberal election platform and the UNCRPD,” states Walkus. “CCD will be one of the diverse voices speaking out to ensure that the measures to create a resilient, healthier and prosperous future are inclusive of people with disabilities.”

About CCD

CCD is a national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada.

Mission

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is a social justice organization of people with all disabilities that champions the voices of people with disabilities, advocating an inclusive and accessible Canada, where people with disabilities have full realization of their human rights, as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mandate

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) unites advocacy organizations of people with disabilities to defend and extend human rights for persons with disabilities through public education, advocacy, intervention in litigation, research, consultation and partnerships.  CCD amplifies the expertise of our partners by acting as a convening body and consensus builder.

-30-

For more information contact Heather Walkus, Acting Chair, heather@ccdonline.ca