Latest news with #AccessibleCanadaAct
Cision Canada
25-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Statement by Minister Hajdu on National AccessAbility Week Français
GATINEAU, QC, May 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, today issued the following statement to launch National AccessAbility Week 2025: "I am delighted today to mark the beginning of National AccessAbility Week 2025. As I take up my new duties as Minister of Jobs and Families, I look forward to celebrating and learning about the achievements and valuable contributions of persons with disabilities, and recognizing the efforts of individuals, organizations and communities who work tirelessly to remove barriers to accessibility and inclusion across the country. As the Prime Minister noted in the recently published Mandate Letter for his new Cabinet, Canada is a dynamic country that celebrates our diversity, cares for the most vulnerable among us, and strives for a better future for all. My work as the federal minister responsible for continuing to lead on the government's accessibility agenda will be guided by this assertion. I will seek to break down the barriers that may prevent the one in four Canadians with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of society. This year's theme, 'Breaking barriers together: Paving the way for an inclusive future,' signals that a barrier-free Canada can only be achieved if we work with the disability community, in the spirit of 'Nothing Without Us.' I welcome this approach of joining forces to help ensure that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to contribute to our communities and workplaces. I look forward to building on the progress made by the previous government since the Accessible Canada Act came into force nearly six years ago, and since the introduction of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan to make Canada more inclusive for persons with disabilities. A cornerstone of this plan is the new Canada Disability Benefit, which is designed to improve the financial well-being of low-income, working-age Canadians with disabilities. I will have more to say about the launch of the application period for the Canada Disability Benefit in June, with payments expected to begin in July. National AccessAbility Week is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate how far we've come—and the work ahead—to realize our goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040. I commit to building on the actions taken in recent years, and to working with my Cabinet colleagues to achieve a truly inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for persons with disabilities in Canada by 2040. This week, and throughout the year, let's make positive changes together. When all Canadians have equal opportunities to contribute to our communities and workplaces, we build a stronger economy and a stronger Canada for everyone. Happy National AccessAbility Week!"
Toronto Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
‘We are not a priority:' Disability advocates say lack of minister sends a message
Disability advocates say the lack of a minister tasked with representing their interests sidelines millions of Canadians during what Prime Minister Mark Carney promises will be a time of growth and rebuilding. Carney announced his smaller, 'purpose-built' cabinet meant to deliver change on Tuesday, but the 38-member team doesn't include anyone explicitly responsible for disability inclusion. David Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, says disabled Canadians need a voice at the cabinet table fighting for their inclusion on the issues Carney has prioritized. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He says those include building new infrastructure and tackling a housing shortage — but he says both things must be done with accessibility in mind. Rabia Khedr, national director of Disability Without Poverty, says she worries about the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act, which is meant to create a country 'without barriers' by 2040 and is already woefully behind schedule. Representatives for the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the criticism, or which cabinet member would be responsible for accessibility legislation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘We are not a priority:' Disability advocates say lack of minister sends a message
Disability advocates say the lack of a minister tasked with representing their interests sidelines millions of Canadians during what Prime Minister Mark Carney promises will be a time of growth and rebuilding. Carney announced his smaller, 'purpose-built' cabinet meant to deliver change on Tuesday, but the 38-member team doesn't include anyone explicitly responsible for disability inclusion. David Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, says disabled Canadians need a voice at the cabinet table fighting for their inclusion on the issues Carney has prioritized. He says those include building new infrastructure and tackling a housing shortage — but he says both things must be done with accessibility in mind. Rabia Khedr, national director of Disability Without Poverty, says she worries about the implementation of the Accessible Canada Act, which is meant to create a country 'without barriers' by 2040 and is already woefully behind schedule. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Representatives for the Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the criticism, or which cabinet member would be responsible for accessibility legislation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Statement from Organizations Supporting People with Disabilities Regarding Today's Cabinet Appointment
TORONTO, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - People with disabilities represent 27% of Canada's population, yet they have no dedicated champion in the federal Cabinet announced today. Since November 2015, successive Liberal governments have made significant strides in advancing the rights and protections of people with disabilities. Landmark legislation like the Accessible Canada Act and the Canadian Disability Benefit, while not perfect, were important steps forward in improving the lives of millions of Canadians. This is why Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet, without a Minister or Secretary of State solely responsible for disability inclusion and accessibility, is incredibly puzzling and concerning. We recognize the context in which this government was elected. The recent election was focused on serious threats to our country, particularly our relationship with our closest neighbour and partner. However, we also recognize the threat posed by the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (and accessibility) policies within government institutions. These values are foundational to programs that support and employ people with disabilities, and we must not allow them to be sidelined. A dedicated Cabinet voice, especially someone with lived experience, was much more than a signal. It represented a meaningful commitment to dismantling barriers, promoting inclusive policymaking, and ensuring that people with disabilities play a central role in shaping decisions that impact their lives. The absence of such leadership for over one in five Canadians is not just disappointing but, in our view, a step backward from the progress that has been achieved. Our message is clear: ensure that a Cabinet Minister is explicitly tasked with the responsibility of advancing disability rights and delivering on the commitments made to people with disabilities in the 2025 Liberal Party platform. Further, we urge the Prime Minister to seize the next opportunity to appoint a Minister or Secretary of State solely focused on people with disabilities. We regret that beginning a new relationship with this government begins on such an uncertain footing. We sincerely hope that this oversight, whether intentional or not, will be corrected without delay. Signatories CNIB / INCA Canadian Association of the Deaf / Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC) Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) Daily Bread Food Bank Environmental Health Association of Quebec / L'Association pour la santé environnementale du Québec Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC) / B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (BCANDS) Realize Canada Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility *Additional signatories to be added as they are received. Please visit for the latest.
Ottawa Citizen
05-05-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Is the federal government failing public servants with disabilities?
Article content These are not rhetorical questions — they are calls to action, and they deserve to be addressed with transparency and urgency. Article content You are not alone in seeing how some human resources systems, rather than supporting accommodation and equity, have too often become vehicles of exclusion, indifference or gatekeeping. When the very structures that are meant to uphold fairness become the source of harm, trust erodes and employees — particularly those with disabilities — are left to navigate an already unequal terrain with fewer and fewer supports. Article content Ableism — whether unconscious or overt — is still deeply embedded in many workplace cultures. It shows up in assumptions about productivity, in resistance to flexible work arrangements, and in the way accommodations are treated as burdens rather than rights. It shows up when requests are scrutinized, disbelieved or delayed to the point of despair. And it shows up, as you so clearly describe, in the erosion of human dignity. Article content Article content The federal public service has made commitments — both legislative and moral — to create barrier-free workplaces. Frameworks such as the Accessible Canada Act, the Duty to Accommodate Directive and departmental diversity and inclusion strategies are meant to guide and support these efforts. But implementation is everything. Policies without accountability are just words on paper. Article content As you know, the duty to accommodate requires that adjustments be made up to the point of undue hardship, taking into account cost, health and safety. Article content However, the threshold for undue hardship is high, and should never be invoked lightly. It is not enough to state a policy exists or corporate liability is too high — departments must live up to the spirit and intent of that policy through transparent, compassionate and evidence-based action. Article content Employees with disabilities must not be expected to carry the burden of culture change alone. While your leadership has undoubtedly created ripples of hope and justice, systemic transformation cannot rest on the shoulders of volunteers. Article content Article content Departments must invest in structural change, including: Article content Mandatory disability bias training for HR professionals and managers Transparent tracking of accommodation timelines and outcomes Clear consequences when legal obligations or ethical duties are ignored Independent oversight mechanisms, including disability-informed ombudspersons and review panels Mental health supports and peer networks for employee advocates experiencing burnout or moral injury Article content It is also essential that federal leaders — from senior executives to front-line managers — actively listen to voices like yours, not defensively, but with humility and a willingness to be accountable. That includes following through on reports of systemic failure, taking allegations of discrimination seriously, and creating mechanisms for redress that do not re-traumatize those who come forward. Article content Finally, I want to say this: you are right to feel the way you do. You are not 'too sensitive.' You are not overreacting. You are responding with the moral clarity of someone who sees injustice and refuses to look away. Your anger is not only valid — it is necessary. It is the fire that calls others to awaken.
