Inclusion Canada participates in Canada’s CRPD Review at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland
From March 10-11, Inclusion Canada participated as part of the Canadian civil society delegation at the UN review of Canada’s implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Following 8 years since the last review and countless hours of collaborative work, our coalition of more than 53 disability rights and civil society organizations presented a united perspective across disability communities.
Krista Carr addresses critical human rights concerns
Inclusion Canada’s CEO Krista Carr provided testimony before the CRPD Committee to address two critical ongoing human rights concerns in Canada: Canada’s Track Two medical assistance in dying (MAiD) legislation that disproportionately impacts persons with disabilities, and Canada’s ongoing reservation to Article 12 of CRPD that denies legal capacity rights.
“Inclusion Canada continues to advocate for a Canada where every life is valued equally and all persons with disabilities have full autonomy. We urge Canada to repeal Track Two MAiD and implement supported decision-making,” said Krista Carr.
Please click here to read Krista’s full testimony. >
Click here for our press release on Track 2 MAiD. >.
The UN CRPD Committee will release their full report on Canada in the coming weeks, which will include Concluding Observations for the Government of Canada that highlight areas requiring action and improvement. Inclusion Canada remains committed to ensuring Canada fully implements the CRPD and will use the UN’s report as a roadmap for our continued advocacy in the months and years ahead.
The Canadian civil society delegation at the United Nations in Geneva. Inclusion Canada’s delegation included CEO of Inclusion Canada, Krista Carr, Executive Director of Legal & Public Affairs, Kurt Goddard, and Executive Director of Operations & Social Impact, Tara Levandier.
Remembering Ellen Cohen
It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of Ellen Cohen, a lifelong advocate for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. Ellen passed away while in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was part of the Canadian delegation of disability rights and civil society organizations participating in the UN review of Canada’s implementation of the CRPD.
Her passing is a deep loss to the disability community in Canada and beyond.
Click here for our full statement on Ellen’s passing. >
Inclusion Canada & Elections Canada webinar series
With an election expected very soon, Inclusion Canada is joining forces with Elections Canada to host two webinars on participating in federal elections.
In Session 1, hosted on March 25 from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST, participants will learn how to work at a polling station in your community during a general federal election.
In Session 2, hosted on April 1 from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm EST, participants will learn about the programs and tools available to make it easier to register and vote.
Both webinars will be in English with French interpretation, ASL/LSQ, and English/French captioning.
You won’t want to miss these. Please come and join us!
Click here to register for one or both of these webinars. >
Not Enough! Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) regulations miss the mark for people with disabilities
The Government of Canada has released the final regulations for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). The regulations fail to provide the financial security that people with intellectual disabilities and their families need.
Inclusion Canada is relieved that the CDB has been confirmed as a permanent national benefit. However, we remain very disappointed with the restrictive eligibility criteria and low benefit amount which sadly will continue to leave people with disabilities in poverty.
The CDB was supposed to deliver meaningful financial support to people with a disability and their families.
Our fight is not finished. We are committed to prioritizing this issue with all political parties in the upcoming federal election anticipated soon. We will call all parties to commit to improving the CDB.
Stay tuned for more information on how to help by speaking to your local candidates during the election.
For now, you can read our full press release here. >
Inclusion Canada in Action
- Inclusion Canada, with our partners at People First of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, hosted 7 focus groups with family members, self-advocates, and service providers to talk about how navigators could improve access to federal programs and services.
- Ready, Willing and Able (RWA)presented at a recent Tourism HR Canada event in Calgary to promote inclusive employment in the tourism industry. RWA will be making similar presentations to the membership of Tourism HR Canada throughout the next 3 months in locations such as Vancouver, Saskatoon, Hamilton, and St. John’s.
RWA Labour Market Facilitator Kyrsten Nielsen and RWA Autism Outreach Coordinator Matt Allen at the Tourism HR event in Calgary.
Inclusion International World Congress – Registration now open!
Registration for Inclusion International’s 18th World Congress, taking place from September 15-17, 2025, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is now open!
The World Congress is hosted every 4 years at different locations around the world. It is an opportunity for self-advocates, family members, disability organizations, and their allies to build global connections in person.
Inclusion Canada is a member of Inclusion International’s global network that seeks to advance our vision for inclusion around the world.
Click here for more info and to register. >
Institution Watch – the latest news about deinstitutionalization in Canada
Institution Watch is a newsletter from Inclusion Canada and People First of Canada’s National Taskforce on Deinstitutionalization.
This monthly newsletter is dedicated to monitoring Canada’s progress towards a full vision of inclusive community living for all people with intellectual disabilities.
In the latest edition of Institution Watch, you can learn more about the closure of the Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC), Manitoba’s last large-scale institution for people with disabilities. This edition also includes interviews with Task Force members, information about provincial funding cuts to inclusive supports and services, and more!
Read the latest edition here. >
Our Federation – Provincial/Territorial Member Updates
Did you know Inclusion Canada has a federation of 13 provincial/territorial and over 300 local member associations across Canada? In this section, you’ll learn more about their work to advance inclusion across the country!
- Inclusion BC has published its response to the British Columbia provincial government’s 2025 Budget. You can read the full response here.
- Inclusion Alberta is hosting their Family Conference from April 11-12 in Edmonton. Click here to register.
- Inclusion Alberta recently published a media release about the Government of Alberta’s decision to claw back the Canada Disability Benefit from Albertans with disabilities who receive funding through AISH. Read the full release here.
- Inclusion Saskatchewan has released its position statement on inclusive education. Learn more here.
- Applications are open for Community Living Ontario’s first-ever Family Conference! The conference will be taking place from May 31 to June 1 in six locations across Ontario. Click here to apply.
- Inclusion Nova Scotia has launched a webpage that provides updates about the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy. This landmark decision recognizes the systemic discrimination faced by Nova Scotians with disabilities by failing to provide adequate community-based housing. The Remedy outlines the steps the government must take to make sure that people with disabilities have real choices about where and how they live, with the right supports in place. Click here to check out the webpage.
Inclusion Canada in the News
CBC Radio – Interview with Krista Carr on partial day attendance
Upcoming Dates & Events
April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
April 18-21 – Easter Weekend (Inclusion Canada offices closed)
April 27 – May 3 – National Volunteer Week
This is on Inclusion Canada Website go to the link here
