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The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is pleased to announce that its Chairperson Jewelles Smith was appointed as an individual to be a member of the Canadian delegation to the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) that took place in New York City in March 2019.  The UN estimates that one in five women will experience disability over the lifespan.  In Canada, disability affects one quarter of women in Canada.

A Q & A with Steven Estey*, CCD’s Government and Community Relations Officer

Winnipeg, MB April 2, 2019 -As the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability Rights is visiting Canada, CCD asked Steven Estey, our Government and Community Relations Officer, some questions related to the Special Rapporteur’s visit, so that members of our community would be aware of the significance of the Special Rapporteur’s visit. Steven has been addressing international issues of concern to people with disabilities throughout his career. 

March 20, 2019 | For Immediate Release

 MEDIA ADVISORY  | January 25, 2019

Today, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released a landmark decision in S.A. v. Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation.  This case is of national importance and significance because it ensures that many persons with disabilities can continue to access vital social programs they rely on to maintain an equal and adequate standard of living.

The Council of Canadians with Disabilities intervened at the SCC and was represented by ARCH Disability Law Centre.

Why This Case is Important

December 21, 2018

Open Letter

VIA EMAIL

The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, M.P., P.C.
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A2

RE: Recognizing Two Important Human Rights Milestones of 2018

Dear Prime Minister:

December 21, 2018

Dear Friends & Colleagues:

As 2018 winds down, I want to wish everyone in the disability community and our allies a happy holiday season and to encourage us all to celebrate two important milestones that have been achieved this year:

December 12, 2018

In September 2016, CCD filed a Charter challenge to the laws in British Columbia that prevent involuntary psychiatric patients from agreeing to or refusing psychiatric treatment. Doctors in BC are not legally required to assess whether these patients are capable of making treatment decisions before forcing psychiatric treatment against their will. This approach reinforces harmful stereotypes by equating mental illness with being incapable.

I am pleased to report that the CCD Council has elected a new officer to the Executive Committee: John Rae as 2nd Vice Chair.

John, welcome to the Executive team!

As you will see from John’s bio, he brings a wealth of expertise to CCD.

~ Jewelles Smith,
CCD Chairperson

John Rae Bio

Previously, I have held various positions on the Executive, including Treasurer and 1st Vice Chair.

On September 22, 2018, Canada’s Deaf community organized ASL/LSQ Recognition Awareness Day!  There was a rally on Parliament Hill and it was an honour for the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) to be invited to participate in the Ottawa event.

CCD, which includes the Canadian Association of the Deaf as a member, fully supports Deaf Canadians’ call for ASL/LSQ to be recognized as official Canadian languages, because freedom of expression is a human right.  For Deaf Canadians, ASL/LSQ are essential to the freedom of expression.