NATIONAL DISABILITY ORGANIZATION DISAPPOINTED BY IMMIGRATION MINISTER'S RESPONSE ON EXCESSIVE DEMANDS CLAUSE

April 16, 2018 | For Immediate Distribution

NATIONAL DISABILITY ORGANIZATION DISAPPOINTED BY IMMIGRATION MINISTER’S RESPONSE ON EXCESSIVE DEMANDS CLAUSE

While the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), a national human rights organization of Canadians with various disabilities that is working for a more accessible and inclusive Canada is pleased with the improvements in Canada’s immigration system that were announced by the Honourable Ahmed D. Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship today, we are disappointed it did not go nearly as far as we had hoped, and the government’s News Release leaves us with numerous unanswered questions.

The Government’s announcement will increase the cost threshold for medical inadmissibility to 3 times the previous level, and amend the definition of social services by removing references to special education, social and vocational rehabilitation services and personal support services.

“CCD, and many other organizations, called for the complete repeal of Section 38 (1) C of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,” said James Hicks, CCD’s National Coordinator. “While today’s announcement should make it easier for some persons with disabilities to come to Canada, it falls far short of legislative reform that we had expected,” added Hicks.

“This failure again shows why a number of existing federal statutes must be amended when the federal government introduces its long promised federal disability act later this year.” Said John Rae, CCD’s 1st Vice Chair and Chair of its Social Policy Committee. “Canadians with disabilities expect that Act to make tangible progress in bringing us into the mainstream of Canadian society,” added Rae.

For comments, contact:

James Hicks, National Coordinator, Council of Canadians With Disabilities, 343-291-1118

John Rae, 1st Vice Chair, Council of Canadians With Disabilities, 416-941-1547