CCD Election Challenge: Volume 1, Issue 4

Green Party Urges Adoption of Action Plan

"One of our core values is respect for diversity and inclusion. We call upon all parties to endorse the National Action Plan to End Exclusion that is the culmination of much work and collaboration within the disabled community," stated Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada on 22 September 2008.

"One of our principles for social justice is that Canadians with disabilities must have the opportunity to contribute and benefit from Canada's prosperity, as learners, workers, volunteers and family members," continued May.

"Dignity requires dialogue, respect requires response," added May.

The Green Party came out in support of immediate ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and of a Canadians with Disabilities Act, which would standardize current acts, policies and programs.

NDP Elaborates Action Plan on Disability

The NDP has stated they will:

Implement a Canadian Disabilities Action Plan based on a vision of an inclusive and accessible Canada.

Develop and implement accessibility standards and laws for all areas under federal jurisdiction.

Use federal funding to lever access. For example, use universal design principles in federally-funded infrastructure initiatives.

Make the disability tax credit refundable and accessible to all CPP disability pensioners.

Establish a Disability Employment Fund to offset accommodation costs for employers in federal jurisdiction.

Set targets within labour market agreements to assist those with disabilities Establish a Canadian Disability Accommodation Commissioner to advise Parliament on disability issues.

Develop a Canadian strategy to stop violence and abuse of persons with disabilities.

Establish nationwide goals to ensure that every Canadian in need of nonacute care will receive an appropriate level of care, including home care.

Immediately implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Canada signed.

Canadians with disabilities wait to hear from the Bloc on disability issues.

Special Ballot

Voters who cannot vote on election day or at advance polls can apply for a special ballot. Voters who want to use the special ballot must inform Elections Canada no later than 6 p.m. on Oct 7. An application form can be obtained by mail, telephone or fax from a voter's local returning office. Elections Canada also has the special ballot application on its website. Elections Canada mails a voting kit to applicants. A voter using the special ballot must mark the special ballot and have it back to his/her local returning office or Elections Canada in Ottawa by 6 p.m. on election day.

Liberal Green Shift on Disability

The Liberal platform addressed tax and people with disabilities. The Green Shift states: "To support lower-income Canadians with disabilities we will make the Disability Tax Credit refundable, ensuring that low-income individuals who are disabled are able to benefit from the Green Shift." Like the NDP, and the Bloc, the Liberals have promised to reinstate the Court Challenges Program, which funded test case litigation. CCD hopes the Liberals will endorse the National Action Plan on Disability.

Each Federal Election, CCD and its members educate candidates about needed disability policy reform.

Get the National Action Plan.