Access/Inclusion Archives
Access/Inclusion
May 27, 2010
Immigration and Disability
CCD urges you to undertake a review of the excessive demand clause of the Immigration Act. Canadians with disabilities are insulted by Canada’s immigration law. Our current law belittles our contributions and reinforces the old stereotypes that people with disabilities will be a drain upon our society, not contributors to it. Read more.
May 13, 2010
PALS and Data Collection on Persons with Disabilities
The Department is in the process of designing the new strategy for data collection on the status of persons with disabilities in Canada. PALS has been a very important tool for the disability community and frankly it is the only source of reliable data on persons with disabilities available to researchers, governments and the disability community. Only with good data can good programs be developed and implemented and only through ongoing data collection can we ascertain over the long-term whether programs are having positive impacts. HALS and PALS were developed over the years through supported consultation with our community. We urge you to ensure that the new strategy engages and seeks input from the broad community of persons with disabilities as well as from a technical committee of end users of that data. Read more.
May 10, 2010
Affordable Accessible Housing- A Critical Issue for Canadians with Disabilities
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) urges all Parliamentarians to support Bill C-304 – An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians. One of the major issues people with disabilities have is finding affordable and accessible housing. Read more.
February 24, 2010
Disability Group Challenges Canada on 'Excessive Burden': $5,259
In the short term, CCD is calling upon the Minister of Immigration to allow the Barlagne family to remain in Canada on humanitarian grounds.In the long term, CCD is calling upon the government of Canada to overhaul Canada's immigration policy to remove the discriminatory practices that put the Barlagne family's immigration to Canada in jeopardy. Canada's immigration policy is based upon a negative and outdated understanding of disability that fails to recognize the contribution that people with disabilities can, and do, make.
Read more.
February 23, 2010
Immigration and Disability
February 22, 2010
Covarrubias v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) 2006 FCA 365 (F.C.A.)
The Court concluded that s. 97(1)(b)(iv) is meant to be broadly interpreted, so that only in rare cases would the onus on the refugee applicant be met. Proof of is required that the country is not unable to furnish medical care that is adequate for the applicant or, in other words, that the country is able to provide medical care, but chooses not to. Read more.
February 22, 2010
Canada (Citizenship and Immigration) v. Colaco, 2007 FCA 282
In response to the Colaco decision, Citzenship & Immigration Canada issued Operational Bulletin 063 on September 24, 2008 which states, “It is clear from the [Colaco] judgment that the Court views Hilewitz and de Jong as applying to all categories of immigrants.” As a result, medical officers “must consider all evidence presented by an applicant, before making a decision of inadmissibility due to excessive demand on social services.” Read more.
February 22, 2010
Lee v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), [2006] F.C.J. No. 1841
The Court found that financial ability does not change entitlement or access to available health care, and this, compounded with the reality that there is no private health care available, results in the conclusion that financial ability to pay for health care is not a salient consideration in granting permanent resident status. Read more.
February 22, 2010
Hilewitz v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration); De Jong v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2005 SCC 57
The majority of the Supreme Court of Canada concluded that the Hilewitz and De Jong families had applied under the “investor” and “self-employed” categories which were to a large extent concerned with an individual’s assets. It found that s. 19(1)(a)(ii) was an assessment of whether an applicant’s health may cause or might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on Canada’s social and health social services. The term "excessive demands" is inherently evaluative and comparative, and shows that medical officers must assess likely demands on social services, not mere eligibility for them. Since, without consideration of an applicant's ability and intention to pay for social services, it is impossible to determine realistically what "demands" will be made, medical officers must take into account both medical and non-medical factors. This requires individualized assessments. Read more.
February 22, 2010
Disability & Immigration Law in the United States of America
The US immigration system is significantly more flexible and open with regards to disability than the Canadian system. Applicants with mental or physical disabilities are only excluded if they are at risk of harmful behavior, pose a threat to either themselves or others or are likely to become a public charge. Because social and medical services are much more privatized, the American system is not as concerned about immigrants creating excessive demand. Read more.
February 22, 2010
Disability & Immigration Law in Australia
The Australian system’s approach to disability is quite similar to the Canadian system. Both exclude applicants who may cause excessive demand on social or health services. The similarities between the systems are largely due to both Australia and Canada offering universal health care and significant social programs for residents. Immigration controls are in place to ensure that these services are not overburdened. The Australian system differs from the Canadian by not automatically exempting children and spouses. Read more.
February 22, 2010
Disability & Immigration Law in the United Kingdom
UK medical examination requirements are much less stringent than Canadian requirements. Unlike in Canada, medical examinations are not required of all visa applicants. Screening for HIV and tuberculosis is also not standard. Waivers are available where an applicant agrees not to rely on publicly-funded medical treatment through the National Health Service. Read more.
February 19, 2010
Disability Community Needs PALS in 2011
CCD has been urging HRSDC to support PALS 2011. Community members committed to effective disability public policy may also want to write to the Hon. Diane Finley, Minister Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and call for the Government of Canada to support PALS 2011 Read more.
January 13, 2010
A Call For Action
Members of Parliament will be spending more time in their constituency offices in January and February. NOW is the perfect time for us to ensure that they know the priorities of Canadians with disabilities.Call, write or meet with your Member of Parliament before the end of February.Tell them about our national priorities.
December 2, 2009
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD): Celebrating Yes! But What?
Canadians with disabilities know that change does not occur overnight but will not accept inaction or regression. It is time to use new tools and new knowledge to accelerate the achievement of a more Inclusive and Accessible Canada. Read more.
October 21, 2009
CCD Affidavit in the Hughes Case
Mr. Peter Hughes encountered barriers when he went to cast his ballot in a Canadian Federal election. As a result, he made a complaint to the Canadian Human Rights Commission regarding the inaccessibility of his local polling station. Elections Canada is responsible for access at polling stations in Federal elections. This case is to be heard by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. CCD submitted an affidavit seeking recognition as an interested party in the case. CCD has an in-depth understanding of the barriers experienced by persons with disability in the context of voting. In its affidavit, CCD shares its perspective on the fundamental importance of voting and the impact on people with disabilities when they experience barriers that prevent them from voting on an equal basis as people without disabilities. Understanding these barriers is critical for the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in order to interpret the duty to accommodate and the factors to be considered in assessing undue hardship. Read more.
September 1, 2009
Pre Budget Consultation Brief Submission
In these challenging times, CCD urges the Government of Canada to remember those who already face significant disadvantage. Canadians with disabilities struggle when times are good to have their needs met. When times are bad, sadly we are often the first to feel the effects of cutbacks in services and supports or loss of employment.
January 6, 2009
Pre Budget Consultation with Minister Flaherty
In these challenging times, CCD urges you and your colleagues to ensure that those who already face significant disadvantage are not forgotten. Canadians with disabilities struggle when times are good to have their needs met and when times are bad sadly we are often the first to feel the effects of cutbacks or loss of employment. Read more.
August 29, 2008
Council of Canadians with Disabilities Submission to the Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review
CCD shares its views with the Canada Post Corporation Strategic Review (CPCSR), regarding how Canada's postal service should function. An accessible postal service free from systemic discrimination against persons with disabilities is a key component of an accessible and inclusive Canada. Read more.
August 1, 2008
Immigration and Disability: Stephen Hawking Could Never Become a Canadian
CCD provides an overview and critique of Canada's on-going discrimination against people with disabilities who want to immigrate to Canada. Read more.
June 1, 2008
Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) Proposals Re: Expansion and Renewal of the Social Development Partnership Fund
CCD shares its views on renewal of the Social Development Partnership Program (SDPP). SDPP must be renewed and expanded. The first principle of any renewal is that no organization should be worse off. Read more.
End Exclusion supporters rally in support of an accessible and inclusive Canada.