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Inclusion Matters
December 2024
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Inclusion Canada in Ottawa
On November 30 - December 1, Inclusion Canada hosted a federation meeting followed by our Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario. During these 2-day meetings, we discussed leadership and federation strengthening, officers were appointed by the Board, and directors were elected by the membership at the AGM. We would like to extend our congratulations and a warm welcome to our new board members and offer our heartfelt thanks to those board members who are departing this year!
As always, we look forward to the Board's guidance, expertise, and commitment to the movement for inclusion as we work to build an inclusive Canada for people with an intellectual disability and their families.
Click here to see a list of all our board members. >
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Minister Carla Qualtrough receives the President's Award
On November 30, Inclusion Canada proudly recognized Minister Carla Qualtrough for her unwavering dedication to people with intellectual disabilities and their families over the past nine years.
The President’s Award honours an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the disability community. We were pleased to award it to Minister Qualtrough who exemplifies this commitment through her tireless efforts to advance inclusion and foster stronger, more inclusive communities.
Past-President Robin Acton and Board Director-at-Large Roy Skoreyko presented the award, expressing gratitude for Minister Qualtrough’s tireless work.
Thank you, Carla!
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Years of Service Awards for Inclusion Canada Staff | |
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On November 30, Inclusion Canada was pleased to recognize the valuable contributions and work of two staff members who celebrated milestone anniversaries this year. This includes:
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Marc Muschler, Senior Communications Officer - 5 years
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Tara Levandier, Executive Director of Operations & Social Impact - 10 years
Thank you Marc and Tara for your continued dedication and outstanding work.
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Missed Priorities Amid Political Chaos: Inclusion Canada's Response to the Fall Economic Statement
As political chaos erupted with the Finance Minister’s sudden resignation, the Fall Economic Statement (FES) was tabled—and Canadians with disabilities were once again overlooked. Despite billions in new spending, the Canada Disability Benefit remains at a meagre $200 per month.
However, the CDB has been declared exempt from taxes and the government has committed to automatic income tax filing.
Click here to see our response to the FES. >
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Call for Proposals: Everybody Belongs
Inclusion BC is collaborating with Inclusion Canada and Aspire Richmond to host Everyone Belongs, a national conference that connects like-minded individuals from around the country to share innovative ideas and information on advancing inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Inclusion BC is currently seeking proposals to run workshops that are 1 hour - 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. They are seeking proposals from people with personal or professional experience in the following areas:
- Personal Development
- Families & Children
- Employment & Transitions
- Community Development
- Advocacy
Proposals are due by January 15, 2025. Presenters will receive a small honorarium and free conference admission for the day they are attending or half-price admission for the entire conference.
Click here for more info or to submit your proposal. >
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15th Annual Policy Forum Recordings are now available!
On November 13-14, Inclusion Canada and People First of Canada hosted the 15th Annual Policy Forum for Inclusion. This year's theme, Roofs and Rights: Inclusive Housing Policy for People with Intellectual Disabilities, explored expanded access to inclusive affordable housing and solving issues related to the housing crisis in Canada.
The virtual forum included a series of panels featuring the lived experience of people with an intellectual disability and their families, as well as research and policy expertise from both government and community.
You can access a written summary of the event, including speaker PowerPoint presentations.
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Inclusion Canada in Action
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This November, the Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) team celebrated RWA turning 10! Since its inception, RWA has successfully generated over 5,000 employment outcomes for people with an intellectual disability/on the autism spectrum, operates in over 20 communities across Canada, and has engaged with over 20,000 employers. Congratulations to the RWA team on this major milestone!
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National Director of RWA, Don Gallant, cuts into a cake celebrating RWA's 10th anniversary. | |
- On November 30, Inclusion Canada and Federation senior leadership convened in Ottawa, Ontario for our President and Executive Director's meeting. During this session, we discussed our ongoing work and priorities for 2025.
- On December 1, the Inclusion Canada Board had their Annual General Meeting. The meetings included elections for board positions, and voting on important by-law changes.
- On December 6, our CEO, Krista Carr, presented at the Developmental Disabilities Primary Care Program Forum (DDPCP), hosted by Surrey Place. Krista presented on our Access to Healthcare position.
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Closed!: Manitoba's last institution for people with intellectual disabilities is now closed permanently
On December 10, the last institution for people with intellectual disabilities in Manitoba, the Manitoba Developmental Centre (MDC), closed its doors for good. Inclusion Canada and Community Living Manitoba celebrate the advocacy that led to the closure of MDC and recognize the hard work and many years it took to get here.
Click here to read the release. >
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The 2023-2024 Impact Report is now available!
Our annual Impact Report is now live. It provides a concise summary of Inclusion Canada's work and achievements over the last year. Inside, you'll find detailed information about our ongoing work in our strategic priority areas, our 'Year in Numbers', stories about the lives of people with an intellectual disability and their families who have been impacted by our work, and more!
Click here to read the report. >
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The CDB: Build A Better Benefit!
Recently, Inclusion Canada and our national disability partners launched a new campaign aimed at building a better Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). We led the development of this campaign along with over 30 of our national disability organization partners.
It is clear that the benefit needs improving if it is to lift people with disabilities out of poverty.
Watch the CDB campaign video here. >
We encourage everyone to write their MP and tell them that $6.66 is not adequate. We need to see real support for people with disabilities living in poverty.
Click here to access the letter campaign and help build a better benefit. >
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Our Federation - Provincial/Territorial Member Updates | |
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Did you know that 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!
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On November 28, Inclusion Saskatchewan and Inclusion Canada issued a joint press release responding to proposed changes to the province's education system which would see an expansion of segregated schooling practices. We denounce this move by the Ministry of Education and call for a swift and immediate reversal. Read their release here.
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Inclusion New Brunswick launched their call for nominations for the 2025 National Inclusive Education Awards. The award recognizes a group or individual in New Brunswick who made a positive contribution to inclusive education in the province. Click here for details and the nomination form.
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