Contents
Access 
Recruitment campaign for the Chair and Members of the Board of directors of Accessibility Standards Canada – Governor in Council Appointments 
U.S. Access Board Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day 
Apple previews new accessibility features, including AI-generated voice clone – Six Colors 
Alberta Election 
Update from Ian Young 
Government of Canada Announcements 
Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion 2023: Promotional Toolkit 
Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 
Human Rights 
Just Published: Dispatches from Disabled Country by Catherine Frazee 
Human rights victory! 
ETR format for the Mexican legal capacity proposal (English and Spanish) 
Medical Aid in Dying 
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition 
Newsletters 
EASPD Newsletter 
Seniors for Social Action 
Seniors 
Update from Canada’s Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera 

 

Access

Recruitment campaign for the Chair and Members of the Board of directors of Accessibility Standards Canada – Governor in Council Appointments

The Government of Canada is seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians to fill the positions of Chair and up to six directors for the Board of Directors of Accessibility Standards Canada. These positions are part-time Governor in Council (GIC) appointments.

The mandate of Accessibility Standards Canada is to contribute to a Canada without barriers by 2040 by:
developing and revising accessibility standards;
providing information, products and services about new and revised standards;
supporting and conducting research on barriers to accessibility; and
sharing best practices for removing and preventing accessibility barriers.

The Government of Canada is committed to open, transparent and merit-based selection processes that strive to reflect Canada’s diversity. Preference may be given to applicants from under-represented groups including persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, members of racialized groups and women. Appointments will also take into consideration gender parity, linguistic and regional representation.

Under the Accessible Canada Act, Accessibility Standards Canada is to have a Board of directors consisting of not more than 11 directors, including a Chair and Vice-Chair.

The Board of directors plays a critical role in:
· setting Accessibility Standards Canada’s strategic direction;
· supervising and managing Accessibility Standards Canada’s activities and affairs; and
· advising the Chief Executive Officer on matters relating to Accessibility Standards Canada’s mandate.

The Chair is responsible for presiding over meetings of the Board of directors and providing leadership to fulfill the Board’s mandate.

To apply or get more information about how to prepare your application, please refer to the following links:
GIC - Chairperson, Accessibility Standards Canada  
https://pcogic.njoyn.com/cl3/xweb/xweb.asp?CLID=52106&page=jobdetails&JobID=J0323-2053&lang=1
GIC – Board Member, Accessibility Standards Canada  
https://pcogic.njoyn.com/cl3/xweb/XWeb.asp?NTKN=c&clid=52106&Page=JobDetails&Jobid=J0323-2055&BRID=220945&lang=1
Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by June 15, 2023.
We invite you to share this news with your colleagues and networks.

Sincerely,
Rupa Bhawal-Montmorency
Director General, Accessible Canada Directorate
Employment and Social Development Canada

U.S. Access Board Celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 18, 2023
Today, the U.S. Access Board celebrates the 12th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a day dedicated to conversations and learning about digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. The Board is a leading source of information on accessible design, including access to information and communication technology (ICT) under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 255 of the Communications Act. The Board also issues Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards for the built environment, transportation vehicles, and recreation and outdoor developed areas.

Over the last year, Board staff met with international officials and delegates, such as representatives of the Polish Plenipotentiary for Disabled People, Commissioner Jürgen Dusel of the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Relating to Persons with Disabilities in Germany, and representatives of the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization, to discuss the Board’s accessibility guidelines and standards, regulations and rules, technical assistance services and programs, and public engagement with the American people. Board staff were also consulted by advisors to European Parliament Member Katrin Langensiepen to provide information and training on the agency and structure of disability laws in the U.S. This information was used to create a report for the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). The IMCO used the report in the design and establishment of an Accessible Centre by the European Commission. Board staff will meet with officials from the European Commission in June 2023 to discuss updates on the Centre, development of accessibility standards, application of the Board’s Section 508 Standards, and training programs.
Board staff also convened with international groups part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a premier professional exchange program that brings together foreign leaders and American counterparts to engage on emerging issues, policy goals, and shared interests. These meetings involved IVLP groups with representatives from Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia to discuss federal laws and standards, practices to promote accessibility throughout society, and long-term collaboration and partnership opportunities. 
Next month, IVLP participants from the Middle East and North Africa and officials from the Korean Disabled People’s Development Institute will meet with Board staff to learn about the Board’s accessibility guidelines and standards, regulations and rules, technical assistance services, and efforts to make environments accessible for people with disabilities.

Throughout the year, Board staff will continue to routinely advance accessible ICT through various activities. Board staff contribute weekly to activities of the Accessibility Guidelines Working Groups (AGWG) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the main international standards organization for the Internet. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are part of a series of web accessibility guidelines published by the WCAG Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), and the Board’s involvement ensures harmonization of global standards for digital accessibility standards. In addition, Board staff continue their long-standing ex parte participation with European Standards groups European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), European Committee for Standardization (CEN), and European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELAC) in revising EN 301 549, a harmonized standard that supports the European Web Accessibility Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of the websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies.

Board staff will also present on the National Federation of the Blind’s Global Accessibility Awareness Day Webinar: Section 508, which is on May 18 at 3:00 (ET) and is open to the public, and as part of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Digital Accessibility Week.

The Board regularly provides both virtual and in-person training on its accessibility guidelines and standards to many different organizations, groups, and government agencies across the country and internationally. For further information or to request training, contact Josh Schorr, the Board’s Training Coordinator, at training@access-board.gov. Additionally, the Board conducts free monthly webinars through its partnership with the ADA National Network. Webinars cover accessible ICT as well as accessibility in the built environment. Upcoming webinars are posted on the Board’s Webinars & Training webpage.

Accessibility Specialists are available to assist with questions on the Board’s Section 508 Standards via email at 508@access-board.gov. The Board also operates a technical assistance hotline to help professionals and other members of the public implement accessibility guidelines and standards. Individuals may contact Accessibility Specialists at 1-202-272-0080, extension 3 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm ET weekdays or send an email to ta@access-board.gov.

Apple previews new accessibility features, including AI-generated voice clone – Six Colors

Click on the following link to access the information online: https://sixcolors.com/post/2023/05/apple-previews-new-accessibility-features/

Alberta Election

Update from Ian Young

The Alberta Provincial Election happens May 29th, I have been asked to be a panelist on CBC'S program Rosemary Barton Live. I speak for myself as a disabled Albertan and have no affiliation to any groups I am a member of.

I am nervous and excited at the same time and yet honoured to speak up for a community.
Rosemary Barton Live broadcasts on Sundays at 10 a.m. ET (7 a.m. PT) on CBC News Network and simulcast from 11-11:30 a.m. ET (12 AT, 12:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

Government of Canada Announcements

Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion 2023: Promotional Toolkit

Overview

The Government of Canada is hosting the second annual Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion from May 24 to 26, 2023. The Congress is virtual and will take place just days before the start of National AccessAbility Week, which runs from May 28 to June 3, 2023.

Accessible, interactive, free, and open to all, the Congress will provide an opportunity for attendees to celebrate and advance disability inclusion by sharing ideas on innovating for a barrier-free Canada.
The Congress will include panel discussions and built-in networking opportunities for all attendees, as well as an Innovation Showcase featuring leading-edge projects, ideas and activities focused on improving accessibility and inclusion from the start.

A virtual Career Fair for Persons with Disabilities will be held on the third day of the Congress and will offer a unique opportunity for persons with disabilities to meet with prospective employers from across the country.
Help us make this event a success by promoting it to your networks. The following promotional social media content and visuals are provided to help you spread the word! You can also share posts from @AccessibleGC on

Twitter and Accessible Canada on Facebook.

Suggested social media messages for Twitter

• If you are a person with a disability looking for employment opportunities, register for the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion, May 24 to 26. Prospective employers are looking forward to meeting you! https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/
• Coming up May 24 to 26! The Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion: an exciting, free, inclusive and interactive virtual event. Network, attend the panels and take part in the Career Fair and Innovation Showcase. Register: https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/
• Over 50 inclusive employers and counting! Don’t miss out! The Career Fair for Persons with Disabilities takes place on May 26 at the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion. Register now: https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/
• Join Maayan Ziv, Amazing Race Canada Team Ahkameyimok, Rosalie Taillefer-Simard and Nicholas Herd at the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion, May 24 to 26. https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/

Suggested social media messages for Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Instagram
From May 24 to 26, the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion kick-starts celebrations for National AccessAbility Week!

This virtual, inclusive, interactive and free event includes:

• Innovation Showcase, highlighting accessible and inclusive technology, Career Fair, featuring Canadian employers dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Next-level networking, Panels featuring some of the most prominent disability and accessibility advocates, community members, academics, leaders and innovators, Celebration of Canadian artists with disabilities and Special Olympians

Register now: https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/

• Now is your chance to participate in the Career Fair at the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion! Featuring some of Canada’s most diverse and inclusive employers, the virtual fair will take place on Friday, May 26. Register here: https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/
• The Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion runs from May 24 to 26! Register now and participate in this exciting accessible, interactive and free event. Network, attend the panels, participate in the Career Fair and Innovation Showcase. Now is your chance to take part in creating a barrier-free Canada by putting inclusive ideas into practice. Register at https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/
• Join Maayan Ziv, Amazing Race Canada Team Ahkameyimok, Rosalie Taillefer-Simard and Nicholas Herd at the Canadian Congress on Disability Inclusion from May 24 to 25! The event will be followed by a Career Fair for Persons with Disabilities on May 26. Register now at https://ccih_ccdi_2023.vfairs.ca/

Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

May 17, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia:

“Everyone should be able to be who they are and love who they love, free from discrimination and hate. This year’s theme for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, ‘Together Always: United in Diversity’, emphasizes that when we all come together – from different gender identities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds of all kinds – we can make the world a better place for 2SLGBTQI+ people in Canada and around the world.

“In recent years, we have taken significant action to make Canada a safer place for people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community. We updated laws to protect gender identity and gender expression, I apologized on behalf of the Government of Canada in the House of Commons for the systemic oppression, rejection, and criminalization of 2SLGBTQI+ people, and we criminalized conversion therapy, to name a few. But people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, particularly transgender people, are still facing a crisis of targeted violence in Canada and across the globe. In recognition of the work that still needs to be done to reverse historical wrongs and chart a better future, the government recently launched the first-ever federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan – a whole-of-government approach to strengthen rights and promote equality.

“Canada continues to actively promote 2SLGBTQI+ human rights on the world stage, and address the ongoing, widespread criminalization, discrimination, and violence faced by these communities. Through our international assistance, Canada is investing to advance human rights and improve socio-economic outcomes for 2SLGBTQI+ communities in developing countries.

“Today, I thank the many organizations across Canada and around the world who are supporting people and fighting for 2SLGBTQI+ rights, including Fondation Émergence, which created the first day against homophobia in Canada in 2003. I encourage all Canadians to join me in speaking up against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and discrimination and violence in all its forms. Together, we can build a better future, with pride.”

Human Rights

Just Published: Dispatches from Disabled Country by Catherine Frazee

“Disability is not our worst-case scenario – our worst-case scenario would be its annihilation.” This is the starting point for this powerful collection of writing by and about Catherine Frazee, disability activist, Officer of the Order of Canada, and poetic scholar of justice.

Catherine Frazee has been a central figure in the disability rights landscape in Canada for decades. Her reasoned and passionate insights are topical and often ahead of their time. Always bold, always progressive, and frequently provocative, Frazee’s work presents an unwavering, fierce commitment to engage in public debate from a position that centres the lives of disabled people.

Shifting the centre for contemporary policy and practice to more fairly reflect the aspirations and entitlements of diverse disabled populations is no small feat. It requires all of us, first and foremost, to unshackle from dominant narratives that equate disability with incapacity, tragedy, and loss.

These selected writings kickstart that process by revealing what has been unfolding for decades just under the radar of ableist society. From ground zero in Disabled Country, Frazee introduces us to “a poetics of identity, an ethos of empathy, and a sanctuary from philosophies of greed and utility.”

Between the lines of this startling and intelligent collection, readers will perceive the contours of a social movement on the rise, a knowing people bound together by struggle and pride, and an essential agenda for anti-ableist reforms in the domains of law, medicine, education, culture, and governance.

Dispatches from Disabled Country is essential reading for all those involved with or interested in disability and disability activism, as well as for learners and educators in politics, medicine, law, sociology, education, and any other field that touches on policy or practice on the lives of people with disabilities.

Click on the following link to learn more about purchasing options: https://www.ubcpress.ca/dispatches-from-disabled-country

Human rights victory!

May 19, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Human Rights Commission

In response to today's Supreme Court Decision in the human rights case of Hansman v Neufeld, Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, issues the following statement:
The Canadian Human Rights Commission applauds today's Supreme Court ruling as a victory that affirms people's right to speak out against harmful or discriminatory discourse without fear of being silenced by Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, known as SLAPPs. These lawsuits are sometimes used by individuals or corporations to intimidate and silence public critics by forcing them into lengthy, expensive legal battles.

This judgement serves as an excellent example of the Commission's public interest advocacy role before the courts. The Commission, recognizing the important issues this case raised for equity-seeking groups, intervened in this civil case, appearing alongside other interveners to help contribute to this positive result.

This case began with a dispute in the media between two individuals: Mr. Hansman and Mr. Neufeld. Mr. Hansman, a teacher, was the president of the British Columbian Teachers' Federation (BCTF). He also identified as a gay man. The respondent, Mr. Neufeld, was an elected public school board trustee.

Following an amendment in 2016 to the BC human rights legislation to include “gender identity or expression,” the BC Ministry of Education collaborated with other interested organizations including the BCTF. They agreed to publish teaching materials to foster inclusion and respect for students who may face discrimination because of their gender identity or expression.

Mr. Neufeld publicly criticized the initiative in online posts, which triggered significant controversy including calls for him to resign. Many people in the community considered his statements derogatory of transgender and other 2LGBTQQAI+ individuals.

Mr. Hansman publicly denounced Mr. Neufeld's views, including to the news media, calling them bigoted, transphobic and hateful. He accused Mr. Neufeld of undermining safety and inclusivity for transgender and other 2LGBTQQAI+ students in schools, and questioned whether Mr. Neufeld should remain a school board trustee.
A central question under the anti-SLAPP legislation, and which the Supreme Court had to consider, was whether the public interest in continuing Mr. Neufeld's defamation lawsuit outweighed the public interest in protecting Mr. Hansman's expressions. In other words, was Mr. Neufeld's right to sue for alleged defamatory comments more important than Mr. Hansman's right to challenge harmful discourse.

In October of 2022, the Commission argued that the Supreme Court should give significant weight to expressions that advance the interests of equality-seeking groups protected under human rights legislation. We essentially said to the Court that people who speak out in support of equality-seeking groups, or respond to harmful discourse about these groups, should be able to do so without fear of lawsuits aimed at silencing them.
Today, the Supreme Court affirmed that argument. The Court decided that the public interest in protecting Mr. Hansman's speech outweighed the public interest in remedying the reputational harm to Mr. Neufeld. As Justice Karakatsanis explained, “[t]he closer the expression lies to the core values of [freedom of expression], including truth-seeking, participating in political decision-making and diversity in the forms of self-fulfillment and human flourishing, ‘the greater the public interest in protecting it'.”

And, so today we are not only celebrating the successful result in this case; we are celebrating that, in Canada, we can expect more support for expressions in defence of vulnerable groups and protected groups. Because now, everyone in Canada has the legal-tested right to stand up to harmful discourse when it attacks an equality-deserving group. It's a good day for human rights.

ETR format for the Mexican legal capacity proposal (English and Spanish)

Please find here the ETR version explaining the Mexican legal capacity proposal that complements the reform already passed by Congress on April. You can find it here in English and in Spanish.
https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2023/05/ETR%20English.pdf
https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2023/05/ETR%20Spanish.pdf
You can also access the English translation of the approved National Civil and Family Procedure Code here:
CNPCF Eng.pdf (hrw.org)
Carlos Ríos Espinosa
 

Medical Aid in Dying

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: https://mailchi.mp/epcc.ca/comparing-euthanasia-in-canada-to-assisted-suicide-in-california-643472?e=59924ae386

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: https://mailchi.mp/epcc.ca/canadian-government-gives-euthanasia-group-more-than-3-million-643460?e=59924ae386

Newsletters

EASPD Newsletter

Click on the following link to access the newsletter online: https://mailchi.mp/easpd/easpd-newsletter-may-ii-4883086?e=8d15d6e712

Seniors for Social Action

Click on the following link to access the information online: https://mailchi.mp/fe8de7854402/editorial-it-takes-a-community?e=88ba5cdd64

Seniors

Update from Canada’s Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera

Message from the Minister
May 11, 2023

Dear friends,

April was a busy and exciting month but most importantly it was a month filled with progress on the issues that matter most to seniors across Canada. 

Last month, I was happy to attend the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum. I’m honoured to have had the opportunity to co-chair the first in-person meeting since 2019, alongside Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, the Honourable Raymond Cho. 

At the meeting, I shared an update on the measures our government is taking to support seniors. This included an update on how strengthening our pensions has reduced poverty and the work we are doing to help seniors age in the comfort of their own homes. 

Making life more affordable remains a top priority for our government, even though global inflation is going down, many Canadians are experiencing challenges when it comes to affordability. That is why Budget 2023 delivers new targeted inflation relief to the Canadians hardest hit by rising food prices. This year's budget introduced a one-time grocery rebate which will help 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians, including seniors. You can learn more about Budget 2023 in this newsletter.

May is Asian Heritage Month and Canadian Jewish Heritage Month. It’s an opportunity for us to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage and the Canadian Jewish community, who have done so much to make Canada the country we know and love.  
I’d also like to wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day on May 14. Let’s take this day to celebrate all mothers—and those who take on mothering roles—across Canada and around the world for their dedication, unconditional love, and support for their families.  

In this edition of my newsletter, you’ll find information about: 

• Post-Budget details
•  Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum 2023
•  The Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners 
•  National Hospice Palliative Care Week 
•  National Nursing Week

Please take a moment to share this link with friends and colleagues so that they can sign up to receive these updates.  Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors-newsletter-subscription.html

Thanks for reading and sharing.
Kamal Khera 
Minister of Seniors

Post-Budget 2023 details

Since 2015, the Government has introduced budgets which have strengthened and supported the physical, social and financial wellbeing of seniors. Last month we introduced Budget 2023, and you’ll notice it was no exception! Budget 2023 lays out our plan to support seniors, which includes providing older Canadians with a grocery rebate, dental care and cracking down on predatory lending. In fact our grocery rebate has now passed the House of Commons. Once it passes the Senate it will be on its way for Royal Assent and then into the pockets of 11 million Canadians. 

You can read the Budget 2023 highlights for seniors in my April newsletter. It includes information on:

• the new Grocery Rebate;
•  dental care;
•  healthcare;
•  housing;
•  cracking down on predatory lending;
•  expanding automatic tax filing; and
•  reducing hidden consumer junk fees.

To learn more about this year's Budget, check out Budget 2023: A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future (webpage) [Click on the following link https://www.budget.canada.ca/2023/home-accueil-en.html]
or Government of Canada releases Budget 2023 (news release). [Click on the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2023/03/government-of-canada-releases-budget-2023.html]

Throughout April I met with seniors to discuss how Budget 2023 is going to impact them. As a government, we’re going to keep working hard to deliver tangible solutions for all seniors. 

Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum 2023

I was happy to meet with my provincial and territorial counterparts in Toronto at the 25th Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum last month. 

We discussed wide variety of key priorities to support current and future generations of older Canadians. This included discussions on addressing challenges related to the cost of living, senior abuse, the role of technology in the lives of seniors, opportunities for helping seniors age in place, housing and ageism.

The Ministers shared information on the measures their respective governments are taking to support seniors. These include a series of targeted affordability measures aimed at reducing poverty and enabling seniors to maintain a dignified standard of living. 

As a government we will continue to work collaboratively with the Provinces and Territories to ensure that seniors are seeing results on the issues that matter most to them. We’re staying focused on delivering tangible and comprehensive solutions directly to seniors. 

For more information, see the news release for the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum 2023.

The Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners

The United Kingdom’s (UK) non-indexation policy is of great concern to both me and the approximately 130,000 UK pensioners living in Canada. As a result of this policy the benefits of British Pensioners living in Canada remain the same and do not increase with the cost of living. 

Canada's longstanding position is that British pensioners who live in Canada have contributed to the British pension scheme and have therefore earned the right to be treated the same way as other British pensioners.  
For more than 40 years, the Government of Canada has sought to address this issue with the UK and has proposed that the two countries negotiate a more comprehensive social security agreement that would make pensions more equitable by providing for the indexation of UK pensions for recipients in Canada. In the end, the decision to index the pensions of the 130,000 pensioners living in Canada remains with the Government of the United Kingdom. 

The UK has repeatedly declined these offers and continues to maintain its long-standing position that it cannot consider the indexation of UK pensions paid into Canada.  

Last month I had the opportunity to sit down with The Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners (CABP) to discuss this very important issue. There, I reiterated that the Government of Canada remains committed to supporting UK pensioners living in Canada.  

Additionally, together with the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, we wrote to the Right Honourable Kemi Badeboch, UK Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade, encouraging her assistance in conveying to her colleagues the high priority Canada places on resolving this long-standing issue.  

National Hospice Palliative Care Week 

May 7 to 13 marks National Hospice Palliative Care Week in Canada It is a time to raise awareness about how palliative care can help people living with a serious illness and their loved ones. 

Palliative care is a holistic approach that treats a person with a serious illness of any age and in any setting. If you have a serious illness, palliative care can: 

• help improve your quality of life 
• reduce or relieve your symptoms 
• help you make important decisions 
• provide grief support to you, your friends, and your family 
• support you and your caregivers throughout your illness, from the time of diagnosis

These services aim to make you and your caregivers feel as comfortable as possible, even while going through treatments intended to cure your illness. 

This week is also a time to recognize the invaluable work and dedication of the many caring health and social service providers and volunteers. These are the people who provide much-needed support to individuals with a serious illness and their families at one of the most difficult times of their lives. 

To learn more about National Hospice Palliative Care Week you can visit the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Associations National Hospice Palliative Care Week webpage. For more about palliative care, visit the Palliative Care webpage.

National Nursing Week

This year for National Nursing Week, I want to recognize and celebrate the dedication and determination of nurses, nurse educators and nursing students who continually go above and beyond to provide care for Canadians. From family doctors offices, to emergency rooms to end of life care, and everywhere in between, nurses are essential to the delivery of health-care services across the country.

As a registered nurse myself, I understand all too well the crucial role that nurses play in our health-care system. This year's theme is Our Nurses. Our Future. It represents an opportunity to further highlight the critical role that nurses play in patients’ health-care journeys.

When you’re providing care to a patient you’re not just performing medical tasks; you are connecting with people, and making a difference in their lives. The relationships that are built between nurses and their patients are unique and invaluable. I learned this first-hand during my time working in the oncology and palliative care units at St. Joseph’s in Toronto. 

Even though nursing and politics may seem like completely different worlds, at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to ensure that Canadians are taken care of. Throughout my almost eight years as a member of Parliament I have frequently drawn upon the lessons I learned from my time as a nurse to help guide me in decision-making to deliver the best outcomes for Canadians.

This has been especially true since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, I had the opportunity to put my scrubs back on and volunteered alongside members of the Canadian Armed Forces in one of the hardest-hit long-term care homes in the country, in my own community of Brampton. During this time I saw first hand the deplorable conditions that staff and residents had to endure, and I carry those experiences with me every single day. 

I know all of you have worked tirelessly day in and day out over the past three years, and I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you: your selfless service, unwavering commitment, and compassionate care have been nothing short of extraordinary. Through it all, you have been there to support Canadians, and now it’s our turn to support you.

To do this our government is making it easier for skilled newcomers to come to Canada and work in their field of study. Additionally we’ve invested close to $200 Billion into our healthcare system to ensure that it is living up to the expectations of nurses and all Canadians. We’ve also reinstated the position of a federal chief nursing officer (CNO) with the appointment of Leigh Chapman. We did this to ensure that nurses’ voices are heard when decisions affecting our health-care system are made.

For more information about National Nursing Week, you can visit the Canadian Nurses Association webpage. 
You can also read my joint news release or watch the National Nursing Week Video with the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Carolyn Bennett

Spread the word:
I hope you will take a minute to ensure that this message reaches as many older adults (and the people who support them) as possible. Please share it with your networks through social media, email or your newsletter. You can now sign up and invite others to sign up for the newsletter online.
For regular updates, please follow:
Twitter: @ESDC_GC
Facebook: Seniors in Canada

Editorial Note: The Weekly Email Digest for Information Sharing Purposes contains information, reports and articles that may be of interest to members of the disability community and allies. The information, articles and reports represent the views and opinions of the organisation referenced, not necessarily those of CCD.
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