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Building An Accessible and Inclusive Canada

In May, many Canadians are out in their gardens planting seeds so that they will have produce to harvest later on in the year. Like these avid gardeners, CCD also plants seeds—seeds of change. Unlike vegetable and flower seeds, the seeds that CCD plants often take more than a season to show results. This month, we at CCD have been nurturing some issues—data collection, disability income, immigration, accessible voting, and access to technology—which are taking a long time to yield robust results.

June 3, 2010

Hon. Beverley Oda
Minister of International Cooperation
200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0G4
Email: Oda@parl.gc.ca

Dear Madam Minister,

I am writing to express our deep concern that the Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC) – after decades of partnership with CIDA - may now be defunded. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is a member of CCIC and has been for many years.

June 2, 2010

For Immediate Release

Expanding Our Rights Toolkit

25 May 2010

Dear Member of Parliament:

CCD has followed the story of Nortel Employees on Long Term Disability Benefits and what is happening to them as a result of Nortel’s bankruptcy. CCD is alarmed by the situation in which Nortel employees on LTD benefits find themselves. We are also concerned that many other Canadians on LTD at some point will find themselves in similar circumstances.

May 26, 2010

Hon. Jason Kenney
Minister of Immigration
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Mr. Minister:

CCD wrote to you in February regarding the Barlagne family and our concern that because they have a child with disability they will be denied permanent residence in Canada. Recently the Federal Court ruled against a judicial review of the family’s residency application.

S.C.C. File No. 33092

Volume 28, Number 2

May 12, 2010

Hon. Diane Finley
Minister HRSDC
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0A5

Madame Minister:

Re: PALS and Data Collection on Persons with Disabilities

We appreciate the opportunity to meet with you recently and also to speak with you via conference call this week to share information regarding your Department’s plans for addressing data collection related to persons with disabilities.

From the call we understand the following:

May 6, 2010

For immediate release

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. “Too frequently people have no choices and live in housing that is unsafe and marginally accessible,” said Marie White Chairperson of CCD.