Federal Elections
Every Federal Election, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) presents disability issues to candidates and political parties. CCD challenges them to support the equality of persons with disabilities. CCD also challenges parties and candidates to run accessible campaigns so that Canadians with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in all campaign activities. In addition, CCD has worked with Elections Canada to improve the accessibility of voting in Federal elections.
Recent Work
February 12, 2010
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision Safeguards Access on Voting Day
In James Peter Hughes and Canadian Human Rights Commission and Elections Canada and Council of Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered Elections Canada to "cease from situating polling stations in locations that do not provide barrier-free access". "CCD regards this decision as a victory, because the Tribunal's order compels Elections Canada to keep access considerations front and centre as it conducts elections," states Marie White, CCD Chairperson. Read more.
September 29, 2008
Building An Inclusive and Accessible Canadian Transportation System
Accessibility standards are a thing of the past for Canada's federal transport system. Voluntary codes of practice are the current Canadian way. The result: travel denied. Once a world leader in accessibility, Canadian access levels fall below other developed countries. CCD seeks the adoption of the US regulatory accessibility model and utilization of US Access Board guidelines and expertise. The disability community's National Action Plan on Disability includes a focus on transportation access. "We are hoping that all the Federal Parties will commit to working with the disability community to regulate the federal transportation system for access," states Marie White, CCD Chairperson. Read more.
September 22, 2008
Access to Justice: A Disability Issue
CCD has been calling on all Federal Political Parties to commit to the reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program. To date, the Liberal, NDP, Bloc and Green Parties have agreed to reinstate it if elected. The Conservative Party has not indicated a willingness to alter its course on this issue. Read more.
More on Federal Elections
September 19, 2008
Harper Announcement on Disability Falls Short of National Action Plan
September 18, 2008
Waiting to Be Tax Payers
September 15, 2008
Disability in Canada Means Living In Poverty
September 12, 2008
Letter to Bloc Québécois
September 12, 2008
Letter to Green Party of Canada
September 12, 2008
Letter to Liberal Party of Canada
Marie White, CCD Chairperson, addresses anti-poverty rally.